Douglas optimistic as cruise ship season opens

Two cruise ships anchored outside Roseau last year

While he describes the off-season as “painful”, the man at the helm of the country’s tourism sector says he is optimistic that the 2012/13 cruise ship season will be fruitful.

The season officially opens today (Monday) although the first cruise ship will arrive in two weeks.

Ian Douglas said in an interview with the media that government is working towards ensuring that cruise ships come to Dominica year round.

“Cruise tourism is a major part of the industry because it employs many grass roots people. So many people depend on the industry to survive. It has always excited me when the season begins. It is my vision to have an all round season. I want us to get to the point where we can expect a ship a day,” he said.

However, Douglas noted that he is very concerned about the challenge and the threat posed by the private bus drivers who “do not want to join the organized tour system”.

He said private operators sell the same tour the boat has organized, for 10 percent cheaper.

“That undercuts the ship. That jeopardizes the ability of the cruise line to generate revenue in the destination. They balance revenue against fuel cost and that’s how the planners decide which ports they will call at. We want to discourage that kind of activity,” he explained.

Douglas is currently attending the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA), annual trade show in Curacao, which begins today.

He said while there, he would seek to increase calls to Dominica by having new cruise ships on the itinerary. “We want to encourage those like Disney and others who do not come to our ports,” he said.

According to Douglas, one of his major tasks is to convince Carnival Cruise lines to return to Dominica,

That cruise line ended its 21 year relationship with Dominica in 2010, citing the increase in fuel prices as the main reason. It is expected to make one call to Dominica during the new season.

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35 Comments

  1. Openeyes Observer
    November 14, 2012

    As a visitor to Dominica I am very disappointed with a number of things. I must say, first and foremost, that Dominica is a truly beautiful island. What with it’s rugged mountains, pristine water falls and beautiful flora and fauna, it makes it have a different twist to most of the other Caribbean islands. So how comes I am so disappointed? Here I outline, not only my own observations and opinion, but that of friends, family and colleagues who have visited on more than one occasion, both by land and sea.
    1) Roseau town centre. For God’s sake it is a ‘Town Centre’, meaning it’s the central place where everything happens (or should happen). Where are the brightly coloured shop fronts? Clean walking pathways, and shops to buy goods that are different from the norm?
    2) Customer service. Why do the market traders think that because you are a tourist you leave your brain behind you, and therefore don’t know when people are trying to rip you off? Also, as a tourist, I for one, would never buy anything from anyone who is unfriendly, unhelpful and take me for a fool. Don’t the market traders realise that if they were very helpful and friendly, and kept their prices realistic and reasonable, then tourist would be buying from them in droves?
    3) Restaurants and Eateries. Where are the decent restaurants where tourist can sample the many delights of the island? A number of these should be on the bay front. They should also be adequately ventilated and cool, as most tourist who visit are not used to the extreme tropical climate, and will therefore, not climatise within the few hours that they are on the island. They want to feel comfortable and not want to rush back to their ships or hotel rooms.
    4) The roads. Although efforts are being made to improve the roads, there is still a long way to go, especially with the road from the airport into town, there needs to be more lighting, wider roads and barriers at dangerous points. This is something that would put tourists off from hiring a vehicle to explore the island further. Also, some of the roads leading to attractions need to improve.
    5) Government intervention. The ministers and those in charge need to take heed. How is it that these things are written about, spoken about, but are NEVER or rarely actioned? Please wake up and do whatever it takes to attract people to this beautiful part of the world.
    6) The People. Please stop depending on others for everything from jobs to food to education and money. We are all creative beings. Find something that you are good at, and see where you can make a living in doing it. Do not let ‘lack’ of prevent you from trying something – anything! And work with each other, not against one another.

    In my opinion, once the above points have been considered and taken on board, I feel that Dominica will be one of the forerunners in the choice for tourist to decide which Caribbean islands to visit. Remember, do not take these comments as criticism, but merely as an observation from the very people who will help this island to flourish. Also, to remember the saying ‘if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get the same results. So do something different’.

  2. Cerberus
    October 2, 2012

    Mr. Douglas needs all the confidence he can muster if we are to reverse this downward trend in cruise ship arrivals.The sailing schedules for 2012-2013 have already been fixed, as have those for 2013-2014 and I doubt the cruise lines will change them in order to accommodate Dominica’s wishes. There is not one Carnival ship scheduled for the current season (1 Oct 2012-31 March 2013) and only one, the “Carnival Conquest” for 18 Nov. 2013. The total number of scheduled calls for the period 1 Oct. 2013- 31 March 2014 is exactly 100.
    Check website:cruisetimetables.com

  3. Dominican Mon
    October 2, 2012

    Perhaps the most notable point is being missed.

    To compete with other Islands in the Carribean for Cruise Ship Dollars is not futile but let us admit we are years behind other Islands which have the Five Star Hotels and pristine beaches.

    What we have is rich soil for producing crops and billions of gallons of fresh water. Two items which are and will be in demand long after the last cruise ship rusts away.

    I know of one man who put together a business plan for building a billion dollar water and energy project for Dominica and he got no where…. Why?

    Dominica has the capability to be the Garden Basket of the Carribean yet we ship few vegetables and fruits.

    Think !!! “If I keep you uneducated and hungry, I can control you!”.

    Yes you can….. but one day when I am hungry and have no job… No future… Tired of what you have done to my family… I may knock on your door when you least expect it and eat your food and read your books.

    • CB BOSS
      October 3, 2012

      Here we go again with this crap. You started with some good statements. Then you went on your political rant.

      If you guys have some good solutions please bring it forward. We do not have to depend on the gov’t for everything.

      Do we?

  4. Dominican Mon
    October 2, 2012

    I have read the following comments and all have good points…

    Here are some facts:

    1) Most Cruise Vistors are ( NOT ) active explores. So climbing up a steep hill or three hundred steps is out of the question.

    2) For those who do explore the distribution of their dollars does not really go into our restaurants shops and boutiques.

    3) There has never ever been any Real City Planning to accommodate the tourist.

    4) Most visitors want to walk a beautiful beach, buy a item or two and have a rum punch from an attractive clean place…
    Note I did not say expensive… Tourist who get off a cruise ship here are not spending their dollars because we have nothing in Roseau or Portsmouth to capture their dollars.

    Yes a few merchants in the past five years have tried to open business but most of them have failed because there was little support from the community at large during the off season.

    We are a poor Country but we do not have present a dirty face nor an annoying greedy attitude.

    Be proud of who and what we have and make it better.
    Clean up our streets and beaches. Put on a Native Show of Dress and Customs to the arriving Cruise Ships…, music and all… Not thirty taxi can drivers shouting “hey mon want to see the waterfalls?”

    • dicky
      October 2, 2012

      I agree with you 100%. you said it for both of us.

  5. Francisco Telemaque
    October 2, 2012

    ” Ian Douglas said in an interview with the media that government is working towards ensuring that cruise ships come to Dominica year round.” (Ian Douglas).

    A person who alone has the ability to read from right to left, and from the bottom of the page to the top, one never know; perhaps he also has the ability to dictate to the ship operators, and traveling pubic when they should take their vacation.

    Tourism is a seasonal thing, the traveling tourist from the United States, Canada, and Europe generally are working class people, therefore, most tourist save their vacation to be taken at the end of the summer, beginning of fall and into the winter, in order to avoid the beginning of winter.

    Some do travel in the summer, the older tourists does that.

    Some people who cannot tolerate the cold stay out of North America, and Europe for the entire Winter, those who can afford it anyway.

    That is why it is so essential for the powers that be in Dominica stop dragging their feet, by engaging into mere political rhetoric, and get down to business and build an International Airport in the country supported by a couple of tourist resorts, and other five star hotels, that is the only way one may be in a position to encourage, or talk about year round tourism in Dominica.

    In order to have year round tourism in any country, there must be an International Airport in that country!

    We have the year round tourism in Los Angeles, where even in the dead of winter, I still drive around in convertibles, and T-tops, that is because it does not snow in Los Angeles, and Hollywood in the winter, thus tourist the world over visits in the winter, however, they do not arrive by ship, they arrive via LAX, John Wane International, and Burbank International, all within a radius of less than sixty-five miles.

    Ship operators operating in the Caribbean scheduled the tourist season to commenced about this time each year.

    Douglas has no authority, or say as to when the season begins or when it ends, he can only wish it was year round, nevertheless, ask him how many islands in the Caribbean he knows the tourist season lasts year round.?

    Somebody need to remind the Douglas and Pipers’s of Dominica, money talks, and BS, walk! Political rhetoric, and talking nonsense cannot make any difference in the life’s of poor people in a poor country.

    Before we start talking there must be a plan to back up our talk, wish, our desires!, without that it is better to simply keep our mouth shut!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • dicky
      October 2, 2012

      Well said.

  6. Nudibranch
    October 2, 2012

    In order to get decent flow of traffic to buses, you need a proper and efficient dispatch system. we have been saying for years that a dispatch booth on the bayfront is needed.
    One “person/company” with 10 buses is currently dominating the taxi operations, he is cutting out the little guy, if his bus is full he should be asked to leave, not stay and direct more business to his other buses ahead of everyone else waiting.

    Cruise is systematically homogenizing the region, and is slavery by another name, There was a lovely article in National Geo about Islands in the region destroyed by cruise ships, yes we need the business but as a fraction of gdp stay over generates 8 or nine times more.
    Govt has to take tourism seriously and commit at least 25% of tourism income back into promotion and marketing, the “it will do” attitude towards tourism and promotion of our country is lackluster, haphazard and at times embarrassing.

    With a hopeless cruise season looming, perhaps it’s time to take stock of how better to market and promote instead of hope the poor job done already will carry us through. This season is going to hurt a lot of folks, assist by promotion not words.
    I’m off my soapbox now.

  7. Anon
    October 1, 2012

    Clean up Roseau! It stinks and is dirty. It’s the first and last impression of DA the cruise tourists remember.

  8. Bod
    October 1, 2012

    It’s called a free market economy. It’s up to the cruise ship companies to be more competitive, not for them to dictate terms to Dominica’s taxi drivers, nor hold the country to ransom. This country needs to shed its dependence on cruise ships – it’s not sustainable. Our straegy should be to develop ‘green skills’ in environmental engineering, ecology, conservation, organic farming, alternative energies, natural sciences etc. This is a more strategic way forward for Dominica – not the fickleness and short-termism of cruise lines.

  9. JIM
    October 1, 2012

    A government of incompetencies.The only thing they do well is to VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION…

  10. nature Girl
    October 1, 2012

    I think the problem with the cruise ships visiting Dominica started at least 5 years ago when we lost the Carnival cruise line 2 years ago!! I believe there was an argument about money of course and what Dominica Mon describes! We need a place where tourists can walk in air-conditioning, good quality stores and some nice restaurants a shopping mall for tourist.

  11. October 1, 2012

    your comment is awaiting moderation. how long does it take DNO? or ur awaiting de approval of de PM? Stupessssssssssssss

  12. Roughcake
    October 1, 2012

    Dominican Mon….I agree with you 100%. The member of Parliament for Roseau and the Mayor sit on their fat backsides doing sweet fanny adams.They should get off their arses and do what they were appointed to do.

  13. D/ca
    October 1, 2012

    It is Time Ian work for his Money.
    There needs to be more participation in Tourism exhibitions in St.Maarten and St. Thomas to let these people know that there is a Dominica where they can get much more for their money.

  14. Labor Powder
    October 1, 2012

    People please go back to the article of December 11 2011. Does the comment from Ian indicate that the Carnival Cruise left us because of fuel? That was the lie the government used to CTA. When will they learn that the truth is persistent. Until this cowards own up and until those who will not see for one reason or another Dominica will be stuck in reverse gear.

    The price of fuel has not gone down and there was no tectonic activity that changed the geographic location of Dominica so I am still trying to figure out what would cause the Carnival corporation to ignore the fuel issue and start coming back to Dominica. Fool Peeping Tom, Jude Nicholas, Anonymous and Gary all the time but you cyan fool all the people all the time.

  15. Dave Thomas
    October 1, 2012

    How about the public urination?

  16. Drunken Pirrate
    October 1, 2012

    Ho Ho Ian bwoy… you is still dreaming mon… you eyes must e have glassy…you do see them cruise shipp right you off… the black pearl sailed pass by and look some one say nina, pinta and santa maria refuse to dock… is not the opening of airline season so i wont talk on that but surely the cruise ship season… well maybe we should settle for MSG… More Salt and Garlic….lol :lol: :lol: :lol:

  17. Labor Powder
    October 1, 2012

    DNO the last statement of the article is wrong. Did DNO see a statement from the Carnival cruise line or is DNO merely repeating what the government first told us is the reason for the pull out. DNO remember several months ago Ian admitted that the Carnival pull out because we need to put certain things in place. Check the archives for confirmation.
    Excuse me for the lack of trust in Ian , SKERRIT and this maladminstration .
    No harm intended just wanted to insure that we don’t perpetuate the lies that we hear from these guys.

  18. bias dcans
    October 1, 2012

    Mr douglas go on cruise critic and read the reviews f dca….ships never stop sailing they go to the other islands all year…..

  19. Citizen Kane
    October 1, 2012

    This is the most disgraceful attempt at Minister of Tourism there ever was.

    Farcical … Lord Jesus help us

  20. "O" STRESS!
    October 1, 2012

    Mr Douglas is right on point if the cruise ships are optimistic about Dominica as Douglas is about the season”. Then we are in real trouble” It`s a matter of dollars and no cents the way the cruise industry operates. It`s always about their bottom line not the country with whom they do business. Just look at their History. what about all that talk of selling our liquid Gold{our water}to them;? I guess that is still in the pipe line?

    • Malgraysa
      October 1, 2012

      All modern ships have on-board desalination plants to enable them to meet their own needs for clean water.

    • Anon
      October 1, 2012

      Your water will be going to China

  21. Brathwait
    October 1, 2012

    OPTIMISTIC! what”s there to be optimistic about?

  22. October 1, 2012

    Ian you don’t have to worry about trying to get carnival cruise anymore because Christopher Columbus will be sendimg the nina and the pinta this year. Infact he is prepared to send the santa maria too, if he gets the ok from you and the Pm because he knows you cannot get planes to land here and under your leadership even ships trying to stay out of you all’s 500 years behind mess.

    • tie toe
      October 2, 2012

      lolllllllll

  23. Dominican Mon
    October 1, 2012

    The Cruiseline Industry is by passing Dominica because of the unfavorable surveys and opinions of the passengers.

    1) Dirty streets.
    2) No police on the streets.
    3) Annoying people begging for money.
    4) Unfavorable dining and food selection.
    5) Rudeness in stores to visitor.
    6) Unsafe transport and Unsafe roads.
    7) To few nice shops along to waterfront and poor selection of items.

    So many of our guests do not venture past the first two blocks when they disembark. We should present a better Diminica to them.

    Presentation is the key to Marketing. What do our two cities, Roseau and Portsmouth have to offer that is not being done?

    • Malgraysa
      October 1, 2012

      Don’t forget our hostility to gays, which has been well publisized. We may be righteous but do so at great cost.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        October 2, 2012

        Now you are out of order, if you are homosexual, man or woman, that is between you and your (god), the God of heaven will deal with you when your time comes.

        However, do not mention anything about the treatment of ” Gay or homosexual ” in our country.

        There is an existing law in Dominica which prohibits homosexual acts and acclivity, if the bull-poppers come to visit our country, and they keep their cravings to themselves, and do not flaunt behavior in the faces of our people, by all means we should respect them as just another human bean.

        However, if you are suggesting that they be revered because they are men sleeping with men, and women sleeping with women, when a higher supreme power condemns their behavior, by all means we should not tolerate them.

        And when they break the laws of the land, the law must be enforced, if the consequences are incarceration, so be it they must suffer the consequence of the law of the land.

        We do see men, and men, women and women having homosexual or Lisbon sex in the streets, or open in North America, neither in Europe, so why are condoning this filthy acclivity in our country.

        To some people prostitution is a profession in America, and the world in general, however, prostitute and the ” john’s ” are arrested everyday charge and imprisoned for simple soliciting, though that is not the actual performance of sex.

        People go to jail in America, and Europe, Canada also for selling and buying sex, I know a Dominica woman who at one time lived in Antigua, immigrated to Canada, rather than she work for a living she thought she could sell her body (sex) in Canada, it did not take the police long to arrest her; the consequence was immediate deportation back to Antigua.

        If walk out of my house right now and go down the street and preposition a know prostitute, and the police come along and find me proposing, or have reason to believe I am proposing the prostitute, both of us will be arrested, and chances are both of us will be convicted, and go to jail.

        What is not allowed in their country should not be imposed on ours.

        Keep your filthy notion to yourself!

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

      • Malgraysa
        October 2, 2012

        Francisco, you are reading what is not there! This is very dangerous. For your info. I’m an old fashioned heterosexual and did not say whther I approve or disapprove of homosexual practices. All I pointed out is that our stance on homosexuals is costing us money in the tourism industry. If people are happy to accept that I have no issue with it, either way.

    • Yam Babawoolais
      October 1, 2012

      What about the Carib arts and crafts that are made in China. Lol

      • Reader
        October 2, 2012

        Say it ain’t so :cry:

    • It matters
      October 2, 2012

      Besides all that you mentioned, the real reason behind all of this fiasco, is the incident with the gay men a few months ago. You guys were set up. This incident was done deliberately just so that they the gay community could teach you guys a lesson. Go ask Buju Bantan what happened to his career.

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