Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, has revealed that the Dominica Festival Commission (DFC) has been tasked to come up with a plan to make Jazz ‘n Creole a longer event, probably spanning three days.
This he said the idea is to make the event longer to attract more people to come to Dominica.
“Jazz ‘n Creole has always been a great event but our role in the Ministry of Tourism is to attract people to Dominica,” he said on Wednesday. “The event has always been an event where persons come from within Dominica … and that is not our primary goal, so we have tasked the Festival Commission to prepare a revised document that will allow us to have an event that will attract people to come to Dominica…”
He added that for the event to attract more people to the island, it has to be for more than one day.
“Are your friends from Guadeloupe and Martinique or Antigua or Barbados going to come down for one day? Highly unlikely. However, will they come down for a Friday, Saturday, Sunday event? More likely,” he stated. “So we’ve pushed them (DFC) to present a plan that will encompass something of that nature. Make it as local as possible. So I am hoping they get back to me as quickly as possible so I can take it back to the cabinet for approval.”
Tonge gave an idea of what the event could possibly look like.
“Just imagine these people coming to Dominica, especially persons from Guadeloupe and Martinique,” he stated. “They come on their boats, you have a village lime. On Saturday you have a beach event similar to Reggae on the beach where persons are there for the entire day, obviously give them an opportunity for them to explore Dominica. The same thing happens on the Sunday where you go to the Jazz ‘n Creole at the Cabrits. So the idea is to have a longer event that will attract people to come to Dominica. That is what we are trying to do.”
when something don’t need fixing just leave it… it working well as it is. Creole festival can’t make a profit is not on jazz u will.. you all can’t pay artiste for Creole festival is not for jazz u will…. it’s a success as it is leave it.. all u just like to put all u hand in things..stupes
I love the idea. Let’s hope that Robbie examines accommodations as well, including proper rest room facilities. It might also be a good time to explore developing Benjamin’s Park or a large indoor facility capable of accommodating at least 1000 people, because of our heavy annual rainfall.
And this proposal comes in one month before the event. waay to go planning committee. smh.
Mr. Prime Minister why Robbie Tonge for TOURISM?
Isn’t that a sector that we want to grow to help with our economy? If the answer is YES! then you need to Re-re-reshuffle the Cabinet and put Mr. Tonge in a ministry that deals with Insurance, BECAUSE he makes no sense in Tourism. What has he done so far in Tourism? that you saw it fitting to keep him there? he is just another pretty face in your Cabinet, and YOU Mr. PM will have to try and save Tourism as you do for all the other ministries especially with this coming elections.
Ian Douglas has a passion for Tourism that NO other in THIS Cabinet has, even Joseph Isaac should be given a shot at that Ministry, but Not Mr. Tonge, nothing against him but he is not THE RIGHT FIT for the face of Tourism in Dominica.
It had to take yall that long to figure something so brilliant ..geez
Here is what going to happen in a 3 day even. DFC will try to put the Friday and Saturday in Roseau. That last day in Portsmouth is not going to be as great as it normally is. I know most ost the sponsors and in town and they want to bring some of that revenue up there but we need to think of quality not quantity. I think all they need is a few more activities, and entertainment leading up to that Big day at the Cabrits.
I guess we will just have to wait and see
When visitors come for Jazz and Creole, they will not come again for creole festival. Leave Jazz and creole as is. That festival is growing year by year, why try to change it?
why are you so short sighted? Different festivals attract different crowds. There are lots of people outside who love jazz . Marketing is key.
Good grief. These people really know norhing at all about why travellers come to this island. We need different people in charge who have world travel experience and first hand knowledge otherwise this sector will go nowhere.
Market it!!! if we push catching Titiwi in Layou as a ting we will grip…money making anyhow, it wayy past time for us to cement our place in Caribbean entertainment.
This is a government funded party for Dominica’s middle class and ex pats. Anyone who understands anything about travel ( which Tongue and Piper do not) knows that no traveller will ever journey here for this event. Stop calling it what it isnt.
I like the idea!
So do I. For those of us who go back and forth from the States, it makes more sense to be in DA for a three day event than a single day event.