Dominica tourism product under the microscope

Tourism minister Ian Douglas flanked by Lisa Jensen of Princess Cruise and Adam Ceserano, FCCA senior vice president
Tourism minister Ian Douglas flanked by Lisa Jensen of Princess Cruise and Adam Ceserano, FCCA senior vice president

Dominica’s Tourism product is under the microscope as officials from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) are now on the island assessing improvements made in the sector.

A three-man, one woman delegation last night met with stakeholders who are directly involved in the sector; as well as other high ranking government officials to discuss some of the issues that negatively impact tourism in Dominica.

The delegation, which consists of cruise executives of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise and Disney Cruise Lines, will  visit several of the island’s tourism sites.

Representative of Disney Cruise Lines, Russell Daya, who is assessing the potential of the island as a destination for regular calls, said he is impressed so far by what he has seen.

“I must say what I’ve seen so far has been very impressive,” he stated at a press conference on Thursday.

He said further that in order for a destination to be successful, all stakeholders must work together.

“The success of any destination around the world is a balance of all ….and it’s not just between the governments,” he pointed out. “It is between the private sector and the stakeholders as well.”

Meanwhile Minister for Tourism, Ian Douglas, said the collaboration between FCCA and Dominica continues.

“We have had a long lasting and very fruitful relationship with the FCCA and its member lines,” he stated. “And it is that relationship that has brought our friends here to Dominica to continue the collaboration and to see firsthand the work that we have been doing to continue to improve to continue to enhance the visitors experience and to continue to bring us back to a place of prominence among the ports of the Caribbean.”

He also urged Dominicans to appreciate the fact that the product “must be second to none so that we could enjoy higher rating.”

Chief Executive Officer of The Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority, Benoit Bardouille, told the press conference that the cruise lines are committed to increasing calls to Dominica.

“There is strong commitment from the cruise lines in terms of increasing calls to Dominica and the number of passengers to Dominica,” he said. “And so as had been pointed out in the past, the Government of Dominica along with various stakeholders, is making a concerted effort that the quality standards in Dominica, and the experience that we provide, increase as we seek to entertain guests.”

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15 Comments

  1. Discombobulated
    May 17, 2013

    It would be fair to as the question, “what tourism product?”

    Dominica needs to focus on feeding itself before tourism. Grow our own, eat our own, import almost ZERO. Then we can export in terms of food and WATER! As for tourism, Dominica is the the most beautiful place in the Caribbean and arguably, the world. However it is a marketing nightmare. Every step of the way travel is a hindrance. Air travel, sea travel and local travel is tough. Roads are being resurfaced and fixed at the same one “vehicle size”. We need to up our game.

    But that’s my opinion

    • Gary
      May 17, 2013

      I’m glad that you were honest to say and recognize that your comment was just an opinion.

  2. May 16, 2013

    Please don’t charge them an arm an a leg for your services and product. They are struggling people like us on very tight budget. Most of the times they are looking for a bargain tour or excursion but the cost is just too high. I am talking from experience Think economics and marketing.
    God Bless,
    Vincent Rolle, Houston, Texas.

    • Justice and Truth
      May 19, 2013

      You are correct. There is a tendency for some to think that the tourists are rich people. Some of the tourists, if not the majority of them are not rich and/or well-to-do people. They do borrow from financial institutions, some using their credit cards to take that cruise and upon their return have to repay the money which may take years to do so. There are those who save for years to go on a cruise/holiday. Some of them are only interested in visiting the islands and sight-seeing and should not be blamed. They should not be overcharged for products. They do complain about the high cost of those products. This may prevent them from purchasing them.

  3. Stoney
    May 16, 2013

    Sorry Guys…the remedy for the Upswing in Dominica’s Tourism Product is…

    Change is a must at Governance Level…
    The existing folks are expired and dusted!

    Change of Regime is the new focus in Dominica.
    Let the Globe be aware of our new Direction!

    • WHO VEX VEX
      May 17, 2013

      The existing folks are expired and dusted!
      REALY?
      And Eddo and Green fresh and new
      Don’t make me laugh.
      :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

  4. Justice and Truth
    May 16, 2013

    As I have stated some time ago news travel, the good and the bad. They are not visiting without reason. Their interest in visiting Dominica will be helpful towards improvement of tourism including the safety of tourists. They also want to be assured that those visits and their passengers will be welcomed and will have an enjoyable and safe time in DA.
    Consider those who will try to take advantage of the tourists as the criminals. Consider those who will try to take advantage of the tourists as the criminals and some do succeed. Tourists of all are aware that islanders are generally friendly people which is why they choose those countries. In addition, they choose the tropical islands at that time to get away from the cold climate. Governments of these islands cannot afford to have them attacked and their personal effects stolen. Otherwise rest assured that they will cease going to those countries who, in the long run will be the losers. This is worth paying attention to and ensuring precautionary measures are taken for protecting them and keeping them safe from criminals while in the country.

  5. William Mc Lawrence
    May 16, 2013

    I am very pleased that officials of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association are visitiing the island to assess our readiness for increase cruiseship calls and continued participation in the Cruise Industry in general.

    I hope we are ready as this is very important for our island’s continued growth in the Cruise Industry and inparticular the economic benefits associated with the Cruise Industry.

    The Cruise Lines represented – Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Lines, are very powerful players in the Cruise Industry. I am happy for the desitnation that they are IMPRESSED so far as this could augur well for a brighter future for Dominica’s continued growth growth in the Cruise Industry.

    That being said, I hope efforts are continuing to improve our cruise ship docking facilities, training in the delivery of Excellent Customer Service, Product Knowledges, Salesmanship, Environmental Stewardship and Citizenship all stakeholders and especially our Taxi Drivers, Tour Guides, Vendors, and, that every Dominican in general should prepare themselves to do everything possible to make the cruise lines and their passengers happy. This ofcourse could have ripple effects of the economic gains, both short-term and long-term, to the Country. For example, well satisfied Cruise Passengers could return as Saty over visitors in the future (Cruise Conversion effect) and could serve as referrals for the destination in the future.

    I wish the Government and People of Dominica well and hope that this mission is successful… Best wishes :wink:

    • Informer
      May 16, 2013

      The things you learn on DNO….

      I just had to look up the word for my own personal edification. For those interested, here’s what I found from http://www.phrases.org.uk/

      “” …an auger is the ‘bit’ part of a carpenter’s brace and bit, i.e. a drill. An augur was a Roman official with the job of predicting the future and advising on public policy. …..

      Of course, ‘auguring well’ has nothing to do with drilling neat holes but derives from the Roman augur’s prediction of a good outcome as the consequence of some portent. Similarly, ‘to augur badly’ didn’t mean ‘to make an inaccurate prediction’ but ‘to predict a bad event’.

      The phrase ‘augur well’ isn’t a translation from Latin but originated, in the late 18th century, amongst the classically educated English elite.

      ‘Augur well’ has much in common with ‘bode well’, which is also of ancient vintage and means much the same thing. “”

    • Winston
      May 17, 2013

      Mr. McLawrence, I would like to ask you, FCCA members and the other Government officials, what really has changed that has impressed the delegation?

      The sites are the same with the inclusion of the Waitukubuli Trail. The tour operators are the same with the same busses and the ports are also even the same. So please explain to me what is really impressive now than say two years ago.

      My bases of argument is that the officials would always give such a worthy remark because they are here on island. Before we run to judgment, lets see the actual arrivals increase.

      My forecast shows we will experience more decrease in arrivals as other destinations in the Caribbean fight for that infamous dollar by improving their port facilities and giving more incentives to the cruise line companies to visit their shores.

      There was a 2013 report by Gunnar Garfors listing “the 25 list visited countries in the world,” and Dominica is right there on that list as number 25. Number 24 is Chad and other war torn countries.

      The problem is much bigger than we think.

      • Gary
        May 17, 2013

        The basis for your so called argument regarding the complements echoed by the visiting delegation is so flawed and self serving.The people on the delegation are representatives of major Cruise Lines in the industry which make their revenue by planning the correct Itineraries for their clientele,which of course are the Tourist.Don’t you think it is of their best interest to provide the best itineraries for their clientele, the Tourist by having a first hand look as to is out there and also their reputation is on the line and so for you to say such thing regarding your argument is erroneous.

        As to the report you mentioned that Dominica is at the bottom of the list visited countries in the world does not mean that Dominica has no potential or did not benefit from the Tourism Industry,revenue from Tourism last year was some $400 thousand dollars.The list you mentioned, I would like to ask you what criteria was used to determine that list and relative to what.As to your comparison of Dominica to Chad,Dominica beating out Chad for the last position on the list to me that is a joke,do you honestly believe that the Country of Chad plagued with civil war, farming,starvation and genocide is a much better place to visit than Dominica simply because we do not have an international Airport.Have you not read and heard of all the accolades given to Dominica in international publications, would you visit Chad.What kind of mind do you have to accept such argument against your Country,you should be very shameful of your self.

  6. 4u2c
    May 16, 2013

    This is good for DA. This will only work if the government and private stake holders get serious. Ian is a joke and his associates are jokers. These guys have eyes but the blind. The existing tourist sites they have left to run a mock. The folks at the bay front has yet to be given some standards and assistance to grow and maintain the tourism product. In and the others have failed miserable in developing new sites, promoting Dominica other products and to make Dominica a 1st class tourist destination. Our folks in power has big mouth but small brain and as a result when those folks come and meet with them they cannot impress by negotiation. The folks are impress by natural beauty but not by what these jokers can do to make it Golden!
    Your guys have go!

  7. Etel
    May 16, 2013

    Very good effort. There is ALWAYS room for improvement in the hospitality department. I’d love to see more emphasis placed on bettering the quality of service we offer to visitors to our beautiful isle.

    • Anonymous
      May 16, 2013

      Remember, we each have to play our part in ensuring the quality of service that is delivered is ‘Top Notch’. It’s not just the government

      • Holiday island Boy
        May 16, 2013

        And most importantly,maintaining that quality level of service when things begin to flourish.

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