DDA eyes Portsmouth for accommodating WCMF patrons

Tonge said discussions have began with hotel owners in the north

Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, said the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) wants patron of this year’s World Music Festival (WCMF) to seek accommodation in the second town of Portsmouth while in Dominica for the event.

Some have wondered where the influx of visitors will stay after the island’s hotel room stock took a severe hammering from the passage of Hurricane Maria last year.

At the launch of the festival last week, Tonge said plans are being put in place to have the north of the island accommodate some visiting patrons.

“So what we intend to do is create a small village in the north where persons can go and visit and stay and come to the city on a daily basis,” he stated.

Tonge said he hopes that stakeholders in the tourism industry will have their properties in a better position to welcome visitor by October when the festival is held.

“However, we began discussion of owners of hotels and apartments in Portsmouth…” he stated.

He stated that discussions are also being held with owners of boats and large buses to provide transportation to the capital from Portsmouth.

“We are positive that this model will work well and also open up the other areas of the country to our visitors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tonge urged Dominicans to take ownership of the WCMF.

“To see it as a triumph over the recent adversity and another step in our journey to recovery,” he said. “Dominica is ready once again to welcome the world to its shores, to experience a celebration of epic proportions. It is our 40th anniversary of Independence and the WCMF stands as a centerpiece of what promises to be a cultural explosion.”

The 2018 edition of the WCMF will take place at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium from October 26 to 28.

Acts include Chronixx and Mavado, Machel Montano and Kes the Band, Zouk All Stars, Franky Vincent, Jean-Marc Ferdinand, Orlane, and Stephane Lavor.

There will be performances by local bands and artistes including Signal Band, Midnight Groovers, Triple Kay International, Carlene XP and Michele Henderson.

Also, Sweet Mickey, Klass, Kai and Yemi Alade from Nigeria are expected to perform.

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21 Comments

  1. Rubbish
    July 3, 2018

    Why don’t u go back to first domestic and assist ur father in paying all those insurance claims that they have denied. The government should shut down first domestic, as for u, one day you will speack some sense. That alone cannot help those apartments owners in possie

    • Neville
      July 4, 2018

      His father is probably happy that Skerrit gave him a job. That way he doesn’t have to pay him for doing absolutely nothing.

  2. RastarMarn
    July 3, 2018

    Why not just have the whole thing at the north nuh!!!
    Benjamin’s Park big enough wi to accommodate everybody,,,
    Portsmouth have enough port access to bring in the infrastructure to set up the grounds,,,
    Instead of having people driving back and forth just have the whole weekend activities at the North,,,

    Not even mentioning the Beach and beach activities that could enhance the festivities,,,

    Creole in the park can be in Town but for sure Benjamin’s Park should be considered to host the weekend,,,

  3. Self
    July 2, 2018

    Robbie its time for the prime minister to get rid of you completely, he already got rid of you as a candidate for Roseau central. You got a little push and you did not resign now its time for the big kick. You are just a laughing stuck now, worst minister in our government. Portsmouth?

  4. Washington DC
    July 2, 2018

    What the man saying is true. Let Portsmouth get its share of the pie If you guys know our history- the world Creole Music Festival was branch out from Portsmouth to Roseau. The French people used to come to Portsmouth to have their fun.

  5. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    July 2, 2018

    Please do not place a “Black Eye” on Dominica’s Tourism Product, by sending visitors to their death on that road that needs serious repair. For once, put petty politics aside and do the right thing. Country first and party second.

  6. Dominica
    July 2, 2018

    My fellow Dominican
    I visted Dominicain June and yes are trying we are on our way to recoverer
    but My real concern is the Road

    The Road in fixing
    with the road we cant do much
    So pleSE LET FIXTHE ROAD

    the hurricane DID LOTS OF DAMAGES TO OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY Dominica
    THE road need to be fixed let support each other we also need to stop the negative input.
    Dominica belongs to all of us.
    Dominica is beautiful.
    And I LOVE MY Dominica
    VERY dangerous DRIVING AROUND.
    AND STOP POINTING FINGER
    LET ALL BE PART OF BUILDING DOMINICA

  7. DA GIRL
    July 2, 2018

    Robbie is always reporting on a plan, a dream that’s stuck somewhere in his head. I’d like to have read…The town of Portsmouth is getting ready to host visitors for the WCFM….x% of accommodation have been repairs; a small village is under development….etc tec…rather than “so we intend to do is create a small village in the north”….#fedup #moreactionlesstalk

  8. Karl Orndem
    July 2, 2018

    yes there are plenty rooms available as ross isnt back, but the roads to portsmouth are not ones you want to be driving on during those times. Unless you move the festival to Portsmouth, i highly suggest you leave this idea alone, unless you want accidents.

    • Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
      July 2, 2018

      Tell Robbie again.

    • Neville
      July 4, 2018

      You are right in saying that Ross is not back yet. Infact they’ll never come back, not as long as this regime is in power anyway.

  9. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    July 2, 2018

    Robbie, this is why you’re a grand fool in my eyes and the eyes of those with common sense. This would have been a great initiative if your government had the foresight to repair the bridge in Castaways. Now, you’re sending unsuspecting visitors to their death in that ravine on Dense’s land when the river overflows its banks. In business, there’s “Prioritization of Tasks.” As the “Great Business Man” that you are, it’s apparent that you were absent during that class. That bridge was destroyed, before Maria. Because of stupid, petty politics, you guys allowed villagers on the West Coast to suffer. When you are wicked to you own self, it will always come back to bite you in the behind.

  10. Faceup
    July 2, 2018

    For most sir that would be a TOTAL HUSTLE..?

  11. Yes Ca Papa
    July 2, 2018

    Why Liat does not have a late flight out of BGI to DOm is a shame. Liat has 2 direct flights to Dominica daily and both leave BGI prior to all international arrivals into Barbados except Jet Blue flight from NewYork. Dominica needs to step up the negotiating skills. Every arrival from the UK, Canada, Miami mean overnight. This is ridiculous and indicates that in Dominica, its all talk talk talk and excuses excuses excuses.

    Plus taxes on a Liat ticket from Barbados to Dominica is 200% the cost of a Liat fare.
    Example my US$119 one way ticket (Barbados-Dominica) included US$71 in total taxes.
    So stop blaming Liat. Our Govt. short sighted taxation policies is impacting Caribbean travel negatiively.

  12. REAL!!!!!
    July 2, 2018

    Tonge….please engage the private investors in Portsmouth to see how they can still keep their apartment properties …….because by October the banks may own the majority of these delinquent financed apartments.

    Also it is very clear Ross University will not be back if you are expecting to use these apartments in Portsmouth for accommodate for WCF in October … Caught with pants down. LOLOL

    Fixed the road and the bridges to Portsmouth while this mal-administration is at it.

    • waypapa
      July 2, 2018

      So REAL WCMF is for years? I thought it was a weekend celebration? Was ross suppose to come back in September? But you all like to embarrass yourself online we, thank God for anonymity.

  13. smh
    July 2, 2018

    HELL NO! A JOKE MAN

    • Domnichen
      July 2, 2018

      What is the joke here? You? Clearly.

      • Uncle
        July 2, 2018

        You are right Dominichen, is not a joke , it is a nigjtmare. I suspect govt. subsidising their friends in Possie because many of these so called visitors to the WCVMF will be voters to come and vote to keep papa Skerrit on our backs. Trust me, watch this space. Skerrit going to pull one big deception on all of us because that’s his way, he can not help it.

  14. Zandoli
    July 2, 2018

    Tonge ask LIAT to put on later flights out of Barbados and Antigua so the returning Dominicans do not have to overnight in those islands.

    • Uncle
      July 3, 2018

      Perhaps a lot of them coming on that new airline that Robbie said is coming soon with direct flights from Miami but this uncle has checked and you need a permit to have scheduled flights like that from MIA to DOM and they tell me at Miami airport they have no knowledge of that. Perhaps that is a charter with Skerrit’s own airline from Kendall business airport?

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