The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has launched a new initiative called the “Bring a Friend Campaign”, which is expected to drive returning Dominicans and their friends to the island during the island’s flagship events.
The campaign is geared towards encouraging the Dominican community all over the world to “bring a friend” when they travel to Dominica for the World Creole Music Festival and Carnival. Visitors will receive a coupon book for discounts at participating service providers. The coupon book is an incentive to allow returning Dominicans and their visiting friends to spend and contribute to the local economy.
The DDA has partnered with hotels, restaurants, car rentals, tour operators and other companies to provide discounts on their services for two weeks during the festive season.
“It is believed that Dominicans living abroad travel to the island largely during the festivals and thus this is the perfect opportunity for them to explore the island and experience some of the cuisine, tours, and activities that the island has to offer. Dominica is not just about partying during the WCMF and Carnival but about experiencing the island,” Colin Piper, Director of Tourism, said. “Many returning Dominicans attend the festivities and do not explore the island and its activities but with discounts in hand and a friend to show around, we hope that this will drive them to do the activities knowing that they can save.”
For the World Creole Music Festival 2012, the campaign will be valid from October 12 – November 4, 2012.
Persons planning to visit the island during this time are asked to register on-line on www.DiscoverDominica.com to reserve their coupon books as they are available while supplies last.
Upon arrival visitors are asked to visit DDA’s Tourism Information office/desk and fill out a form to stamp arrival and collect the coupon books at DDA’s office at the Financial Centre in Roseau.
I all the time emailed this web site post page to all my associates, since if like to read it afterward
my contacts will too.
This is an excellent idea. If it is there for next year creole I surely will bring a relative or friend.
the already register online,so put the form to fill up there as well,for those who have printers,they bring in along with they,get the stamp and coupon books at the airport,most ppl,been travelling all day,long lines and when we finally land,we have to go down town again!!!!
i’ll pass
Until the government and court system starts dealing with criminals more aggressively and Dominican residents learn what customer service is, I refuse to bring anyone to Dominica. I love my country and I visit every year. I’ve also brought friends with me and referred others to the island; however it is no longer safe for tourists and customer service in Dominica is beyond pathetic and downright embarrassing.
ok people. If you did not know there is an informatin office at the Melville Hall Airport, and also officers are available at the ferry. I am sure that these offices will be equipped
This is all crap….I travelled to DA with my family of 5 who had never been. At the airport,I was treated poorly, folks were not courteous, there was clearly lack of training and also lack of information. I love my country but there are other issues that needs to be dealt with before you can tell me to bring a friend. A few workers at my job have been to DA as tourist, they will not go back because of the state of things especially the roads to tourist sites ( trying telling them some roads have improved ) . Dominica has a bigger problem that giving out coupons cannot solve…..
You’re on point.
At first glance, the idea of providing coupons to visitors in order to encourage them to sample more of what the country has to offer should be applauded.
Yet we can’t help wonder, why was this initiative not announced earlier, as part of the WCMF promotion? Further why do we make it so difficult for visitors to obtain the coupons? Why can’t the coupons be available at all points of entry during the period when they (coupons) are valid?
Since this is the first time that this has been tried DDA should try to get feed back from visitors in order to measure the effectiveness of the program and see where improvements are needed.
Excelent idea!! However Dominica needs to be cleaner than how it is. For me a Dominican there are too many unsightlly areas in Dominica. The Botanical gardens which was once a wonder to behold has become ugly due to neglect. Before we invite people to dominica we must do some house cleanibg. Cruise ships are avoiding the nature island as a result of the feedback the get from their passengers…the feedback on Dominica is not good.
To be honest I wonder what you guys are really thinking off (DDA). I fail to see the logic. Has anyone tried to get a renatal during Carnival and the festival. It is impossible. Try getting a hotel room. Trying to get people to see the sights is ok but I honestly think during these pick times in Dominica that is not necessary. Why are you guys not trying to get more people into Dominica with these type of incentives when the season is low. That would help the economy more.
The country is full of people at these times so why the hell are you guys discounting.
Would be interesting to know who came up with that idea?
I think the effort and money spent on this would have been better spent in the off season trying to get a few extra people on the island.
excellent point
I agree with you! Not everyone wants to come down during these festivities. Some of us want to come home just to relax and eat good food. This would be beneficial to me if they could figure out a way for us to get home without travelling for 18 hours or paying so much for a ticket from states.
“This would be beneficial to me if they could figure out a way for us to get home without travelling for 18 hours or paying so much for a ticket from states.”
Excellent point. A-lass papa. I would come home more often, but I lose two days in travelling.
well thought of. it was time. I myself well protest at having to pay to see Emerald Pool and Trafalgar falls. My whole life i going those places, i even help fix up some of them. now i live overseas i come down, and Dominica want to charge me like tourist? hell no! So if the coupons are worth it, i will visit. let’s hope they are sensible coupons.
Is this opened to businesses interested in participating? If yes, who is responsible?
I would like to rename this segment: “Build a Jet Port.” This would really encourage returning Dominicans to easily bring their friends with them, through ease of travel.
My sub heading would be: Build a hotel in the Marigot area, so that passengers do not have to travel back to Roseau, when their flights are canceled.
Good idea… i have been encouraging trinidadians to visit for the the WCMF… i even boast that the events director is Trinbagonian… this year’s WCMF line up is interested, wish i could be there, but all the best for a successful WCMF and successful BRING A FRIEND Campaign… good initiative
Oh…happy, very very happy to see OPHELIA… the queen of cadence music will be there… that’s my showbiz lady… Ophelia Olivacee Marie… best regards my friend
This is a noble effort by the DDA but what has the DDA put in place for the said visitors to make accessing those tours easy? Is the info for tour bookings readily available for online bookings? It will be most definitely a hassle for returnees and friends to book tours when they land here. Luckily we have creole in the park where they can be entertained and sample creole dishes. What about some other activities to compliment creole in the park in the out districts for example? Another question: Why was this announced so close to the festival instead of some months earlier? Its already too late for those who did not plan to return but if this was announced earlier then more people would have been returning to DA. Hope his initiative can continue next year for carnival and the creole fest
Great idea. We have to get creative in order to promote our culture, people, products and other unique features of which very few islands can boast.
Tell me, where is a proper bathroom in town a decent restaurant a clean n beautiful street without dog “dodo”, where parro’s not in your face hassling, where t he tourist representative speak such broken english that even me the native don,t understand a thing , where they can never give you the correct info about where to visit where the sites are, you know what forget it i will stay in the concrete jungle i am ashamed enough, much to bring a non resident, fix the problem and we will come. PROPER TRAINING FOR STAFF AND MANAGEMENT
That sounds wonderful. I wish they would do a raffle where someone who really, really want to come home for the festival would get a free plane ticket. I mean the PM did pump money into LIAT, so that should not be a problem to undertake, and of course, I would hope that the winner would be me. Sorry, I’m venting out on this site, but looks like I’ll be missing out again this year. ERK!!
Reduction in ticket fare is the best place to start.
International Airport is also a better way to start
I always here this question when selling Dominica to visitors, the number one question is, How do we get there?, is there an international airport?, also how much it cost
When travelling to Dominica from some countries one have to pay for two air planes, which many people do not like the in transit idea, having to spen three four hours even overnight in another country, so until then this is a no no idea
The experience of losing my luggage by LIAT is not an experience I want for my friends. I do not need the hassle or embarrassment.
I will be taking them to Trinidad instead. Loss revenue to DA. Its my way of protesting.
the name above your comment is quite ironic. are you really for progress?
I do not want to believe you are a citizen from DA. People
loose luggages around the world. This is not immune to DA or matter of fact LIAT. No one likes to loose their lluggage. I have lost my suite case traveling from the VI to the USA and that did not deter me from traveling. Some of us from DA are to ignorant. Several people from T&T have lost luggage but do you tink they will ask their friends to come to DA instead of T&T I bet you not. Smifnyiu are really from DA STOP YOUR CRAP.
stupe luggage lost there too and bigger chance od crime. dominica sweet for me
@ 4Progress… Are you Dominican or Trinidad. So while I there trying to encourage Trinidadians to come Dominica for WCMF, you encouraging people to go to Trinidad… where is your Dominican pride… mag way sa y still ni domnichets que say famille waychet… sorry about my patois… but this man/woman 4Progress not patriotic at all
shut up..foolish!!!
You lost your luggage
…. (ok continue and tell us why you would choose to bring them else where 
) stupes, that statement was empty… you are completely lost… like your luggage! 
you had nothing of value in the bag donkey a bag of rubbish, liat didn’t want it on the plane.
You must not be from DA, You have a right to your opinion but Dominicans don’t talk like this. I’m really surprised. Can’t wait for that direct flight. I am still hopeful. It’s coming and that discount? I would bring a bus load of folks. They have the money and the time. I’m not telling anyone to go to another island. DA needs the money. Please, lost luggage is everywhere. They just had an auction today at Miami Internatonal Airport for unclaimed and lost luggage. My employee lost her luggage flying from Atlanta to Ft. Lauderdale. So give me a break.I am not proud of some areas in DA but that is our reality, so they just have to deal with it. It is what it is. I tell thm it is a special experience and we are like none other and I make no excuses. If they can go camping, they can go to Dominica. Lovely Dominica.
Great idea but for heaven’s sake why do we always have to make things difficult in Dominica. Why can’t the visitors pick up the coupon book at the airport?
Why do they have to go to the DDA’s office in Roseau? Does DDA have an office at the airport?
SMH
A very good point the airport would be a good place especally for those folks comming in from the north, unfortunately, I wouldnt want to have friends go thru the very same problems as I do I was in DA in Febuary and I had to wait days before I get my luggages it’s a good idea but something have to be done about LIAT services.
Simply direct your idea to the authority. To many times we sit back and make no meaningful attempts to make a difference.
get ur facts right….research before talking
that was directed to Dorival John
What facts I have to get straight? Make yourself clear before you post your comments.
I asked if the DDA have an office at the airport. If you are confirming they do, then I rest my case. Why can’t the coupon books be picked up right there at the airport? Why does the visitor have to go to the DDA’s office in Roseau to pick it up?
It is absolutely ridiculous and it show poor planning on the behalf of the DDA.
@Dorial John;
The reason they want you to come to DDA office,is because, this is a limited book affair;they have them for their partners who comming down;
let’s bet they will tell you they run out of books,when a lot of people check them out.
A WISE THOUGHT YOU NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT Dorival John
Go to http://www.dominica.dm/ and call the office or email Mr. Colin Piper your idea. Make it a professional request. The may not have thought of it, but you did, so forward your concern to Mr. Piper. This site is not the DDA’s website, this is a news site. You can’t get results here. Exercise wisdom people.
Let me get this straight, Anonymous, (whoever your are)….I have to email Colin Piper, who is sitting in his plush office in a high paid job, to inform him of a simple thing like having the coupon books available at the airport?
Give me a break.
And Piper and the rest read DNO. So let him come here and read what the ordinary people are saying.
That is why they like to run to DBS or Marpin and talk their crap because they know they won’t be able to see people’s reaction.
SMH
thank you GOD something is being done to enhance and boost our economy, it about time we decide to create a demand to bring in money and exposure to our country
Upon arrival the DDA should have a Tourism Information booth/office set up at the Airport. In order for visitors who are arriving to full out those forms to collect the coupon books. The office at the Financial Centre in the city should be optional.
This is a great idea The DDA has launched. There is much more needed to kids and teenagers on the island.
Go to http://www.dominica.dm/ and call the office or email Mr. Colin Piper your idea. Make it a professional request. The may not have thought of it, but you did, so forward your concern to Mr. Piper. This site is not the DDA’s website, this is a news site. You can’t get results here. Exercise wisdom people.
ok good idea… but why make it such a fuss to pick up a limited number of books… print unlimited and EVERYONE entering Dominica (by boat or plane) gets given a book of coupons as standard.
When are we gonna learn to make things as easy as possible for visitors… trust, they are more likely to plan how/if to use their coupons on the journey from airport/seaport to their homes/hotels and would probably get a bigger take up/response
Innovative.
I was excited about everything in this article until the last paragraph. Why make someone go one place to stamp arrived and have to then travel to another location to receive the coupon book. In tourism as in any business (I work in marketing), ease of service is key. Returning Dominicans, like all other customers, don’t want any additional hassle. I would therefore suggest that the DDA quickly arranges to have the coupon books at the information desk before the buzz on this new and exciting venture gets out.
Too late for this Campaign.
That should have been done and thought off earlier in the year. Most people have already planned their vacation or have ran out of vacation days so late in the year.
Allu always late with allu ideas. Although it is a good idea it’s just too late for people in the US, Canada and Europe especially since flying to dominica take two days for most of us and the airfare is so expensive.
GREAT INITIATIVE! NOW PROVIDE A DISCOUNT ON THAT AIRLINE TICKET SO WE CAN ACTUALLY PUT IT TO USE!
wow, where is this waterfall – very beatiful