The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) have deemed “Shop Dominica” a success despite challenges posed by Tropical Storm Issac.
According to Yvonne Armour, President of the DHTA, rough seas caused by the storm prevented the ferry from coming to Dominica on Friday 24, the day Shop Dominica began. This, she said, prevented many potential shoppers who had booked to come to the island from coming.
She said the decision as to whether the event will take place next year will soon be made public.
Organizers of the event came under heavy criticism in Dominica because the timing of Shop Dominica. Many Dominicans think the the weekend of August 24 wasn’t the best time since it wasn’t month end and many workers on the island had not yet been paid. But according to President of the DAIC, Lillian Piper, that date was chosen because organizers had to work around the schedule of the ferry.
“This was not only for local consumption but also for marketing to the French territories,” she said.
Piper said organizers wanted to bring in foreign revenue but she gave the assurance that Shop Dominica will be held on a month end in the future.
Vice president of the the Discover Dominica Authority, Nickima Royer, said 112 business had initially signed up for the weekend long event but others came on board as the weekend progressed.
The organizing committee said the overall objective of the event was to stimulate the economy by giving discounts, attracting stay-over visitors and to encourage return visitors.
Initial reports indicated that there had been a significant increase in the purchase of tickets to Dominica for the weekend.
OH YEAH
Great idea but as mentioned by some, timing was not right for maximum participation. Also there were soooo many comments of people seeking information on what stores were participating etc. I am not sure there were flyers ofd the events but there was a lack of details from the online release. The marketing could be alot better. Too often events are promoted and inadequate info is given to the public. People need more info to make educated choices!
I have yet to hear of an event being a failure in this Country yet the economy is in such a terrible state!
For a promotion like this to be successful all these people at discover dominica, dhtam daic, etc should know one weekend will not work… huh, so you want to stimulate economy and increase foreign exhange… go back on ur drawing board and develop a proper strategic marketing plan, and, do this over a period of a year and see what happens… also, make prices duty free for the foreigners… since it is they you are trying to encourage to come and shop dominican products and services…
Despite the incliment weather, i wonder if it would have been successful had there been no bad weather or these people just happy nathaniel isaacpass so they would have an excuse to say why people didnt come…
any way good effort and hope you all do a better job at marketing this activity which could yield good dividends for dominica in the future…
which part of “The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) have deemed “Shop Dominica” a success despite challenges posed by Tropical Storm Issac” confused you? so full of negativeness u didnt see the part that says it WAS a success?tsk
So from Ms. Piper’s comments it appears that more consideration was given to the French Territories as opposed to the locals. Well, now we know. That’s not breaking news anyway.
Still have not seen the shops that were giving discounts.. It was a joke.
Do it again please! Just tell me when even though is two months in advance or even three. Make it annual.
i think the Shop Dominica was a good initiative but discounts were not as it should be in my opinion.
Great move indeed.