Increase in tourism arrivals

Visitors disembarking from a cruise ship in Dominica
Visitors disembarking from a cruise ship in Dominica

Officials are reporting an increase in tourism arrivals to Dominica and according to Chairman of Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), Benoit Bardouille, the DDA has just updated it plans and approaches to marketing Dominica’s tourism product as part of a 90,000 stay over goal by 2015.

“So far for 2014 through the month of February we can report that stay over visitation has grown by 1.3 percent to over 13,700 visitors and cruise passenger arrivals grew by 39.5 percent to 53,530 passengers,” Bardouille said during the launch of the Nature Island Challenge on Monday morning.

He noted that reported hotel occupancy for January 2014 was 61 percent, a more than 31 percent increase from 2013.

“The numbers begin to look positive and that’s why we have a lot of faith in trying to see how we can get to our goals set for 2015 of 90,000,” he said.

At a tourism conference last year, director of tourism, Colin Piper said Dominica must increase its stay over visitors to 90,000 by 2015 if it is to remain sustainable in the tourism industry.

“Collectively, destination Dominica needs to be moving in one direction and that direction is for 90,000 stay over visitors by 2015. That requires us to grow by 7 percent per year, which is a tough target…” he said.

Bardouille described the Nature Island Challenge as a very high energy race along the Waitukubuli National Trail and the Eco Tourism sites across the island.

“We know that along the course racers will encounter adventure, photo opportunities and the cultural challenges involving the various strategies that will be utilized by the teams and they will also be involved in problem solving and creativity,” he said.

 

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

23 Comments

  1. trouble
    April 8, 2014

    Why do we have to import white sand from other countries to put in Dominica. Dominica is Dominica, with its uniqueness. They should educate visitors that our Island is volcanic and that’s why the sand is black/grey. We have hurricane and lots of rain, how are u going to sustain white sand in Dominica. No matter what happens in Dominica the sand remains the same.

    We have what we have and should appreciate what we have. This is the problem with our people, they want change, which I do want, but we forget change comes with a cost, and are we willing to take that burden. We have children who come from the same mother and father, but are they the same? Not even twins are the same. Let every one and every country including Dominica enjoy what we have. Thank good for our blessings including food, weather, health, good water etc. ‘Thank The Lord!!!

  2. Edzel
    April 8, 2014

    I am happy for my country Dominica it is slowly developing from the bottom up and that in my view is a solid foundation to build upon. I am from the town of portsmouth. what i wish to encourage who responsible for beautifying dominica and especially our beaches we need to import white sand from barbuda to create beach front in dominica in-exchange for what we produce and gravel fresh water it can work. So that we can attract more tourist and more visitors to come and enjoy themself and every body on a whole. Please let us work on that i am so proud Dominica

    • real possie
      April 9, 2014

      I gave u thumbs down for the half of your statement cause we have to go with our own utilize what we were given by the grace of God, that’s the thing we are unique in our own way, two things we have white sand in Calibishi the other thing is if u import white sand when the waves comes in will it not wash away the sand that can be reached, I say love me for who I am and not for who u want me to be.

  3. Dominica_Lover
    April 8, 2014

    It is nice that they have a goal, but what is being done to achieve those goals?

    Dominica is a beautiful during the day, but during the night there seem to have not much to do. Some areas need to be updated, such as roads and customer service.

    To rent a car in Dominica, one most have a hold of $3, 000.00 hold on their credit card. For that we have lost the younger college oriented traveler and some middle of the road people. Hotel stays seems to be expensive based on the package that you are getting.

    All in all, we have a beautiful island, but there are a lot to be done to increase the word of mouth promotion.

  4. lmckoy
    April 8, 2014

    It seems there are a large number of people who try to define success in tourism in terms of the number of visitors arriving in the country but wouldn’t it make more sense to judge based upon the amount of income that is generated from the visits? For example, if the number of ‘stay-overs’ increase to 100,000 but he income from them show very little change, is that success?

    • real possie
      April 8, 2014

      But u miss the 61% in hotel occupancy so far but anyways we will see at the end of the year where we at we need naysayers like u to make us even better so we love people like u.

  5. Evolved
    April 8, 2014

    This news release is my humor for today. Notice that the 13,700 supposed stayover arrivals is not compared in real number to the same period last year. 1.3% – well how many actual people does that translate into? 50, 60, 100?

    SMH

  6. Anonymous
    April 8, 2014

    “So far for 2014 through the month of February we can report that stay over visitation has grown by 1.3 percent to over 13,700 visitors and cruise passenger arrivals grew by 39.5 percent to 53,530 passengers” Can somebody do the math… What were the comparable figures for the same period last year..

  7. Salisbury
    April 8, 2014

    A favorite for our family and friends is what we call The Farm Tour up the Salisbury to Mero road. Our last friends couldn’t go on the tour. My farmer neighbor said the road was too bad even for his 4 wheel drive farm truck. If our farmers can’t get to fields where will your food come from?

  8. Simply the Truth
    April 7, 2014

    The terrible winter overseas has caused many to go on a cruise to get away from it all. They love the tropical islands. They also love tasty foods and unique ones.
    The beauty of an island, its sceneries as Dominica and the friendliness of nationals are contributing factors to increased tourists visits.
    Let us welcome them, assist to make their stay enjoyable and safe and that additional ones will continue to visit year round.
    The State House is one of the tourists’ sites which they will marvel over.
    For now the Roseau Cathedral is under repairs and they will not be able to visit it, at least inside.
    When the roads, sidewalks and drainage in Roseau are repaired with hopefully street lights, it will be pleasure walking in Roseau especially for the tourists. Therefore, please hurry up and commence repairing them.

  9. trouble
    April 7, 2014

    I hope they will also keep our hospitals in mind. If we have sick people with poor health care, we have no nation. I love Dominica, but even though we are nature island, there are accidents, old and young we need help in health care. Lord let us be well rounded in Dominica and not only look at tourism.

  10. Willy deh
    April 7, 2014

    Interesting news but not anything to halla about :lol:

  11. ##Dominica.#
    April 7, 2014

    Vortex! Vortex! Thee effects of the vortex is over, thou good news for our country. But the Vortex is over. Go back to the drawing Board and do some real promotion.

  12. roots/da
    April 7, 2014

    No matter what , it’s something positive . There are always alternate destinations . Importantly though , as the increase is welcome news , there will definitely be the need for added security and police patrol public vigilance and awareness , in doing all to preserve the continuity of this vital industry.

  13. ##Dominica.#
    April 7, 2014

    Three months big news, come back at the End of the season, lets hope the trend continues. Too show too flam”. Hold our breath we know their way of spin and Damage control. Lets see come the End of the season.

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      “chaud” :)

  14. real possie
    April 7, 2014

    Hmmmmmm I wonder where are they now? those that had so much to say when the tourist ships were canceling Dominica as one of their port of calls they were bashing with so much to say but a report like this that shows some improvement they are nowhere to found, its so sad when nationals have to wish bad on their country to get into power.

    • Albert joseph
      April 8, 2014

      so what’s your point?you are doing the same thing you creticising the others for doing on the other side;
      All of this is just talk.
      Where Is The Beef.
      I do wish the Season is prosperous.

  15. Neutral
    April 7, 2014

    Please find ways to incorporate agriculture into the tourism paradigm. To make it simple, mix tourism and agriculture to make money for Dominica.

    • Razor
      April 7, 2014

      “Tourism paradigm”? 8-O 8-O :?:
      What is this?

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2014

      Keep on fooling the people.

      • Emile Zapatos
        April 8, 2014

        @Anonymus,……..I think you can be more encouraging. I have read your blogs and have been encourage by your independent thinking. You seem to pay more attention to the issues , not personality.

    • Emile Zapatos
      April 8, 2014

      @ Neutral ,……..That would be great development strategy . Agriculture and Tourism go hand in hand, they complement each other. People must eat . People must drink (water) . Local food and water can be sold to the visiting ships for use on board . Some one or some business or agency should be contacting the supply officer.
      This is a market opportunity .

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available