The Ministry of Tourism has appointed the firm CHL Consulting to develop Dominica’s current tourism policy and review the island’s Tourism Master Plan.
The firm is expected to review and update the Tourism Master Plan of 2005 to 2015 and formulate a corporate strategy and action plan for the Discover Dominica Authority.
Additionally it is to establish a national tourism policy for 2020.
The Ministry of Tourism is receiving support in this process from the European Commission through the office of the National Authorizing officer.
The Ministy will be consulting stakeholders in the industry which will be essential to clearly defining a policy plan and action programme.
The plan is expected to reflect the Tourism Industry’s views on the targets for the tourism sector, the preservation of Dominica’s environment and the optimization of the social and economic benefits from tourism to the country.
Dominica’s Tourism Policy’s time frame ended in 2010 and the current Tourism Master Plan was formulated before the global financial crisis.
Work on the development of current Tourism policy and a review of the Tourism Master Plan began today (Monday).
Stop the ridiculously high level of crime,. then tourism will increase. No need to pay a consultant, for something so freaking obvious!
The bottomline and ugly truth is that we just don’t know how to optimize our tourism product. A country’s management of it’s tourism product really is an effective guage of that country’s IQ as successful management of the tourism portfolio requires a complete understanding of the country’s assets and liabilities and the savvy to work it all to create long term and sustainable revenue influx that fuels micro to big business and therefore taxes for government. Everyone is happy. YET that is not what’s happnening is it? Why? infantile mentality and basic lack of know-how.
So these consultancies really are such an utter waste of money because whatever they come up with, our immaturity as a nation prevents us from absorbing what is being said and our lack of experience and our general inability to grasp the abstract further prevents us from owning the full scope and magnitude of the plan. We still would not know HOW to work the plan. We still would not know how to implement the plan. We still would not know how to navigate the constant endless management of the plan.
We just don’t know.
The good news is that we know that, albeit subconciously, which is why we keep spending money on consultancies. It’s a great delay tactic and buys us time to camoflage the fact that nothing tangible is really being done and we can continue to deny, consciously, that we don’t know what to do.
Who is the master whose plan Dominica has been following. Is the dollar minister? Is it the overnight millionaire plan? Oh maybe it is Peeping Tom. Or Tony Astaphan plan. Who ever yhe master is we know that it is all an illusion
Here we go again. Another consultancy! Another waste of time! Another report to stuff into the warehouse of ignored reports! But we can all feel better that a study was done! WOW! Great! Arent we proactive?! As Dominica continues her steady slide into oblivion and bankruptcy.
Side Bar: DNO who is CHL? Are they local? Regional? Foreign? What other destinations have they worked for? What is their track record? How much of our tax dollar or AID money is being spent to pay them? Who are the people on the team? How long do they have to carry out this report?
Historically Tourism has been grossly mismanaged by every administration for lots of reasons but I will point out 2 that I have found to be paramount. Partly because it’s a sophisticated industry that needs outside-the-box thinking and real commitment which are 2 characteristics that elude us but are so essential especially considering that we are competing with destinations that are super smart and have been at it far longer than we have.
Then there is good ‘ole bobol. The Tourism dollar is one dollar that cannot really be syphoned off unless it’s in the white elephants and guess what? That’s where the money has always been mostly spent. Concrete welcoming centres etc so cronies can charge $50 for one nail and government can redistribute more of Dominica’s “wealth” into the hands of a few while appearing to be doing something. Classic strategy since the dawn of time.
However, when it comes to the real meat where the real smarts and shrewd governance are required i.e. vision, policies, destination marketing, soft/grant money for stakeholders to improve product offerings – dismal. Freedom. UWP. Labour. Pathetic!
After 30 years of gross mismanagement and after five years of the most horrifying degree of neglect, here is Dominica – last place in the region losing more market share every year.
Peter Carbon
Are you saying that the UWP did plan the way for Dominica and theLabour Government is not doing that. Also if the UWP cannot get anything it plan against the Gov’t right do you think you al can now come and ask the people for you all to implement and manage this Island again well Peter never again you all do not have a plan for,arbon nore any other thingin TOURISm.
To promote tourism in Dominica we need to first look at what we have for the Visitor to put a plan in place.we don’t need to have a company, to look for that we know what we have and this will be the base for the plan and way. Now the company that i think you all are going to try has been tried and it failed which I believe be a wash of the Island monies. Why is it that we do not have tourists on the( WORLD MOST UNSPOILED NATURE ISLAND ) and this is because we have not promoted the Island for what it has and this is natrue at its best. We need to put much or money to promote Dominica wellness. We also lack the people who has the Island at heart and will develop and formulate what we need from 2013 and for th time to come. NB crime against visiter and local we need to look at this in the court system. The industry can sell itself if it is marketed properly
Dear honorable Minister for Toruism
First of all I would like to congratulate your Ministry for your efforts at promoting Dominica as a Tourism Destination but at the same time I must hasten to say that your Ministry and its statutory body/bodies responsible for Tourism promotions and Investment promotions are either not ready or not capable of meeting the demands of this competitive industry or do not do enough to attract new and repeat visitor and investor business. I must add further that as a Tourism Destination, Dominica does not appeal enough to new or repeat visitor business, especially visitors who have spending power.
While I do not know the firm CHL Consulting, I have reason to believe that since funding is being provided by the European Union that CHL would be a highly reputable Tourism Consultsncy. I will therefore not question their reputation or capacity to develop an effective tourism master plan. I will also not venture into the expected outcome of the review of the 2005 – 2015 Tourism Master Plan, and, I am happy that the review is being done and would like to hear what the out come is before the next step covering the next three years 2013 -2015.
However with regards to the Corporate Strategy, Action Plan, National Tourism Policy 2020 the following are my suggestions:
1. AIR ACCESS: The need to increase stay over visitor arrivals requires increased airlift to Dominica. I believe that both the Government and private sector must look a little beyond their noses and recognize that without an airport capable of handling long haul flights from North America and Europe and now we need to look more closely at the BRIC group of countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China)we will never be as competitive as we ought to be. We cannot continue to depend on LIAT and American Eagle to fill hotel rooms and to the improve performance expected of the Stay over Tourism sector. A National Air Access Steering Committee must therefore be established and given the mandate to research and report on the long and short term solutions to AIR ACCESS.
ACCOMMODATION SECTOR: I think it is well known that our accommodation sector is not competitive either. Not only must a more attractive incentive package be granted but strict guidelines and monitoring must be in place to beneficiaries of the accommodation sector. An Accommodation Development Steering Committee must also be established to guide the way forward.
HOSPITALITY SERVICES: This sector is broad and I would like to submit that all services including car rentals, travel services, tour operations, shopping and vending, customer/concierge services, house keeping and general operations among others are addressed in this sector. Regretably we are friendly people but we are not service oriented… from arrival to departure genral delivery of hospitality services in Dominica lives much to be desired. how therefore do you expect to get referrals for new business or repeat business? Dominican must recognize that Tourism is not just service oriented it is competitive and demanding. significant emphasis must be placed on training and retraining all services providers from owners, managers, frontline and back office staff and all workers in general. Everyone must be trained and certified and must be required to carry a approved and dated picture identification conspicuously and securely positioned on their person at all times during their execution of their duties. A Hospitality Services Steering Committee with sub committees to have each sub sector should be considered
CRUISE & YACHTING SECTOR: Are we satisfied that our cruise facilities have become unsafe for docking. I have heard feedback from Cruise Executives that the Cabrits Cruise Ship berth needs a complete overhaul and unless there is improved services and facilities at Portsmouth that facility will continue to lose out. They are also not very happy with the chaos at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth, and, they do like to mix passengers with cargo at Woodbridge Bay. And as for yachting, Dominica needs a full service marina, and it is time we stop playing fool hardy with the future economic prospects the cruising and superyacht sector can bring to Dominica and Portsmouth in particular. I believe that a Cruise Ship Steering Committee and a Yachting Steering Committee should be established to explore new opportunities in these two areas
The ENVIRONMENT needs to be considered and serious considerations must be given to exploring our strengths in that regard especially the recently commissioned Waitukubuli National Hiking Trail. We also need to explore enhancing the continued protection, preservation and enhancement of our natural and bbuilt environments as key assets of our Tourism
Our Cultural heritage must also be considered and importantly our Carnival, Festivals like the World Creeole Music Festival and Independence celebrations.
The master plan must also address safety and security, health care, infrastructure, utilities and telecommunications
Finally the marketing of the destination is critical… but there is so much to be said… i will stop here and ask others to add to the list… Final, final, please PRIORITISE… and make it a win win for us all… God bless Dominica
Agriculture is also critical… I thought at one time Dominica was considered as having the potential to be the food basket of the eastern caribbean and of course our water sales as well… but the question asked by everyone is what is the BUDGET and where is the money coming from to do all this and that or is this just another talk shop and we just part of it…lol
I think the agriculture and tourism industry need to linked so one can boost the other
In order to have tourism, you need a budget to spend. Tourism gets the smallest wedge of the pie annually, and once allocated is further cut by other ministries “requesting disbursement”. Govt has to wake up and realize that a budget of 10% of tourism revenue going back into the following year is still too small. Cut back on cruise which is slavery by a different name, and destroying the region and invest in stay over.
The problem is not planning, it is the ability of the Labour Government to implement and manage the plan,
Master Plan? you must be kiddin me; they have a plan? they called it master; enough said. How long did it take the Government to look at it? hmmm.
WOW, this is so utterly ridiculous!! If you really want to promote tourism you don’t need to hire a company, which I believe has been tried before?? Firstly you have to look at why we do not have tourists here!! Lack of promotion, lack of money to promote. Lack of the people who are supposed to be working in the tourist industry doing their work properly!!! As far as I see it everyone in this Island has their own agenda, literally crabs in a barrel still! We have to clean up the crime in Dominica and get the court system into gear!! I see this as a cop out from the people in Dominica who are working in the industry. They get a firm in who have no idea about the Dominican way. This will not work it is a way of being able to blame someone else for failure. There needs to be new blood and huge shake up otherwise nothing at all changes!!!! What an utter, utter waste of money again.
Well said @ Nature Girl. There are so many factors on the ground at home which need attention prior to any ‘plan’. I do agree it is a waste of money.
You obviously know nothing about Advertising and Marketing agency. They work for their clients and has established results.
Yes, i agree more can be done, but when something is being done, we did to to just encourage and wait for results. If not results, then we can say we have tried that and it didn’t work.
BUt the attitude we have must change. we complain, when something is being done (at least a trial) we are still complaining to disagreeing.
The issue is all of us. We think we know it all and experts on every issue. To be frank, they are very few experts in any field living in Dominica. If there was, we would not have some jokers as ministers in Govt.
The people are the issue. We vote for all cummess to represent our country, and what do we expect? Anyways, try the agency, many countries have gone that route and are seeing results.
Marketing Works. Its time Dominica give it a SERIOUS try.
I think this is very much needed, but also begs the question wy are we paying the honchos at DDA so much money….our sector has truly regressed over the years.
They should def look at sports and holistic tourism….more tight niche marketing.
While appreciated, I think somethign so is also needed for the Agriculture sector, Dominica needs to go back if we want to move forward. With worl prices increasing around us, too much land going is abasdoned…SO long i hearing about a chocolate and coffee plant in D/ca….these goods now trade like gold on the markets……
2015 is still far but good move nonetheless.
I read this article and one thing that struck me is the point of the master plan being formulated before the economic global crisis. are we for real. If we are for real the said plan “New Horizons for Dominica Tourism could be and still be implemented. The funds spent to pay a consultant can be paid to promote Dominica and attract more visitors. Dominica is know for event tourism. Once we have a national event people come. Pump the money into hosting quality sporting events to attract people. There is no need for more consulting. Use the existing plan. commence its implementation now and stop spending money on consulting. A quotation from a Barbadian Business Consultant.”If I worked in this industry for 40 years, I could never break into that gang. Local firms are struggling to win contracts for development consultancy because there is this network of key individuals, who you see time and time again heading up the big projects. A disproportionate amount is spent on consultants, and then two years down the line the project fails and everyone says it is due to lack of capitalisation. Well the money was there. But it was just not spent wisely.” – Jeremy Stephen, Barbadian business consultant (The Telegraph)
Lawd!! help wee!!! more money for consultant again!
I hope they take a STRONG LOOK AT SPORTS TOURISM. When a D/can can travel to St. Kitts, win at a Golf Tournament, and mark you from a country that has no Golf Course and get minimal to no support from this “Ministry” their plan significantly needs to be revisited.
wow this is fantastic news – a Dominican winning a Golf Tournament is fantastic news, just imagine if a had a golf course. how comes DNO did not report on that. i guess it not beffy enough.
as regards the tourism mastter plan, i would like to make a contribution so i will write to the minister and share my views… ofcourse i expect it to fall on death ears…
….errr, because Tiger Woods was supported by the US Govt during his long spell at the top of the PGA??? Get real you ignoramous!! Citizens are allowed to do stuff for themselves in a democracy.
Freeing up the public without the constraints of ridiculous licenses is the only revision any tourism future plan needs. Give our peeps the chance to innovate without having to look over their shoulder to see where the next ‘tax’ is coming from and we’ll ALL benefit.
There….I’ve said it!!!
Government of the united States Supported Tiger Woods in gulf.?
Are you mad, or are you simply an compulsive liar?
That’s a lie; first of all, there was never any Government involvement in the gulfing career of Tiger Woods, the government of the United States does not get involve in any personal or individual life that involve sports.
I personally saw Tiger Woods at a very young age at about two years old on National Television, in 1980 when I first came to this country.
His late father, a former Marine, is the originator of his Son, his father thought him how to play the game.
He disclosed that himself on ABC Channel 7, in 1980, on Good Morning America, and if you are prepared to doubt that I assure you I can get the tape on which his voice and photograph is recorded, if not the complete recording excerpts from it.
Woods his black father, and his oriental mother lived in Orange County in California, approximately 70 miles South of Los Angeles.
When Woods won his firs tournament, Bill Clinton was President of the United States, he invited Woods to the White House.
Tiger Woods declined his invitation, stating that he was alive before he became gulf champion, we know the story, we know where he came from, how he got started.
So this lie that government help this guy is nothing more than a lie you dream up!
We Dominicans need to stop lying!, we lie about everything pretending that we are in the know!
Spread what you read here, and say Francisco Telemaque told you, because what I say is the truth.
Some of us need to stop lying!
If you have proof that the government of the United States had anything to do with Woods gulfing career, present it; state which government his help came from: State, Federal, or County Government, because all three are different in America.
You do not even know what you are talking about!
If you want to ask Ian Douglas for money to buy gulf clubs, and balls, do so, but first tell him he need to build an tourist resort with gulf courses and a modern Hotel.
But do not lie about Woods!
And by the way Woods is still at the top of his game.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
” The Ministy will be consulting stakeholders in the industry which will be essential to clearly defining a policy plan and action programme.”
Stake holders in the tourist industry in Dominica are the people of the country who depends on the tourist dollar for their survival.
Thus the hucksters who sells souvenirs, the taxi drivers, as well as the government treasury, the people who sell fruits and vegatables are the stake holders in the industry.
Any thought of improvement without the building of an International Airport, and the development of some tourist resorts on the island is a waste of time, and waste of breath talking!
Ian Douglas can engage in talking until his color changes from black to white, unless an International Airport in constructed, and built in the country, we will not make any gain in the industry.
The only plan program at this time should be to influence some International Chain of Hotel, to set up shop in Dominica.
The problem is that such investors does not invest millions in any country where backwardness is the order of the day, and there is no sight on the horizon for the implementation of effective change and development.
That is the bottom line, that’s where the tyre meets the road!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
No building designed to sell items to tourists shall be constructed, erected or otherwise come into existance without approval from the planning department.
Buildings and shops erected without the express written consent and approval of this department shall be deemed a violation of the building code and subjected to removal at the owner’s expense.
The road between Point Michelle and Scotts Head will be rehabilitated to provide for ease of travel to one of the island’s best diving locations.
This road rehabilitation will be completed by June of 2014. Not a minute later.
Efforts will be made to enhance Dive Fest with more activities leading up to the actual event and its closing ceremonary.
Negotiations will be ongoing to secure funding for a decompression chamber somewhere on the island.
Diving cannot and will not grow without facilities to adequately manage potential accidents.
Local, regional and international entrepreneurs will be solicited to submit bids to add unique entertainment facets to the island. This will include but not limited to:
A movie theatre
A bowling alley
A public park not in Roseau
Development of Benjamin’s Park in Portsmouth
A Museum in the Picard area
Development of Point Round finally.
Etc, etc, etc.
Enough is enough – how many more policies and master plans will Dominica agree to undertake. This is a stalling tack tick –
The government should do a review of all previous master plans to determine exactly what was implemented and or followed. Dominica is wasting time – time unfortunately waits for no man
Let’s see if I can help:
The island needs proper air access by 2016 to compete with its neighbors and reduce airfares.
A suitable Cruise Ship Birth and Tourism Village will alleviate traffic congestion in Roseau and provide a more pleasurable shopping environment.
Vendors must sell their products at approved selling sites.
A new hotel will be designed and constructed at a suitable site with no less than 300 rooms. This hotel will also be all-inclusive.
The Marigot area will see the construction of a new hotel capable of accepting travelers from cancelled flights, instead of traving all the way back to Roseau.
The newly constructed Belles Raod will include sinage, illumination at night and additions such as pruned trees, flowers and other electronic aides to help lift and enhance the space while traveling.
The island will help fund a dog registration program, to hlep better identify stray dogs and provide for their humane treatment and shelter.
Roseau Central will be presvered and other suitable sites will be developed so as to help alleviate congestion, provide proper parking and rest areas and further encourage development of other areas besides the already congested Roseau Central Area.
Efforts will be exhausted to lure a private/public partnership to develop a yachting marina in Prince Rupert Bay.
Any other reasonable developments with long term planning as deemed necessary by stakeholders on the island.
http://chl.ie/directors.htm
And please while you’re at it, talk to Mr. Screws; his attitude stinks.