Major blow for tourism industry

The Liberty made two unscheduled calls to Dominica last week
The Liberty made two unscheduled calls to Dominica last week

Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, is describing as “sad” an announcement by cruise ship, Carnival Liberty, that it will stop coming to Dominica, at least for the next two weeks.

Recently Tonge had announced the the ship would be visiting Dominica every Friday until the end of May. In more recent days the ship made two unscheduled calls to the island, much to the delight of tourism officials.

However, on Thursday Tonge said communications have been received that the vessel will not be docking here this Friday or the next.

“This is indeed sad news but we can assure you that we are doing all possible to ensure the commitment of future visits,” he said in a statement.

He stated that it has been brought to the attention of the authorities that “a significant number of cruise line tours are being sold outside the vessel at significantly lower prices by independent bus operators.”

He said as a result of this tour revenues are going down and visits to other islands are deemed to be more lucrative to cruise lines.

“If this practice is not controlled immediately, we are destined to witness other ships moving towards what they consider to be more profitable ports,” Tonge noted.

He said officials plan to work with stakeholders to address prices and standards.

Ships from Carnival Cruise Lines only recently began making limited calls to the island after the company cut a 21-year relationship with Dominica in 2010, citing high fuel costs and passenger dissatisfaction.

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92 Comments

  1. REAL!!!!
    April 25, 2015

    I am calling for Mr,Tonge resignation he is mis-leading the people and putting the blame on empty pocket poor bus drivers.

    I am really disappointed he went down that road so soon…also if he was given that information by his administration it clearly shows he does not have the presence of mind to realized it did not hold water and that is very concerning.

  2. April 25, 2015

    We should be proud that our country does not depend on tourism, do you want your kids to committed to a life time of servitude? be proud that this little country has a GDP of a billion, we are independent, have you been to the other islands such as USVI? they depend on welfare, and are proud that there kids work in a whore house.

    • May 10, 2015

      AND only if Dominica could afford to pay welfare benefits to the poor and suffering here in Dominica. And what about the ten of thousands of Dominicans who are moving to the USVI every year. Something must be good there why they are moving to the USVI. Are the Dominicans who are moving to the USVI working in the Whore houses??????

  3. Anthony P. Ismael
    April 24, 2015

    I have been on a cruise myself. I bypassed the official foolishness from the cruise ship and did my own thing when I arrived in port. They can’t dictate to free thinking passengers who work hard and save up a few pennies for a vacation.

    The lying politicians in Dominica can spin this story to those who have not been on a cruise. Roseau needs to be upgraded and trash collected and disposed off on a regular basis. These open “Storm Drains” are an eye sore. We are tropical, thus, on hot days you can smell everything. It’s been like that for too long and it’s time for a change.

    • countrygirl
      April 24, 2015

      I do agree with Anthony; I’ve been on many cruises, and after the first, I always bypass the official foolishness from the cruise ship and do my own thing; I also advise other passengers to go with the independent operators as you get the same tour or even better, for less

  4. Oh my Finger!
    April 24, 2015

    Mr. Tonge must stop that, if anyone checks the cruise timetables online, they will see what cruises were really supposed to come to Dominica this season.

  5. Thorbjørn Jagland
    April 24, 2015

    We need to take Dominica off cruise control by making Skerrit spend more time in Dominica and less time at the overseas international investment forum with the Qc lawyer from portsmouth who is the unknown head of the immigration policy in Dominica selling our passports. They need to focus on managing the country and less time on overight millionaire status. 8)

    • Met Gel
      April 26, 2015

      So if Skerrit and his crew start doing that, how will they find money to build their villas and their mansions?

  6. Peter Potter
    April 24, 2015

    Cruise passengers in the Caribbean have a choice to visit numerous islands. The vast majority of them are welcoming, clean, beautiful, colourful, have good tourist facilities with some outstanding shopping and sightseeing products.
    What has Dominica got to offer, apart from a beautiful, colourful and unique nature only a smelling capital, hazardous side walks, constantly annoying beggars, stalls that all sell the same things, nerving taxi drivers etc. etc.

    • coyote
      April 25, 2015

      well said Mr Potter.

  7. April 24, 2015

    It’s a big shame for dominica,sadly though but it is just the beginning ,

  8. forkit
    April 24, 2015

    Let’s sing, all eggs in one basket 2x,

  9. grell
    April 24, 2015

    Carnival is right Roseau stinks.

  10. Malgraysa
    April 24, 2015

    Mr. Tonge, I believe you may have been genuinely misled, and not you alone, by some in authority trying to tell you that it was through their influence and power they had persuaded Carnival to switch from St. Kitts to Dominica, that Carnival are not in favour of the new regime in St. Kitts.
    Believe me, nothing is further from the truth. Micky Arenson of of Carnival is a hard-bitten businessman and is not going to be persuaded by any two-bit politician in the Caribbean to do anything except if it contributes positively to the bottom line of his company.

  11. DS
    April 24, 2015

    Dominica is losing big time and these political fools and their follwoers dont see the failure here. People are running from Dominica. Hardworking ppl who thought they could retire back on the island have fled because of Skeritt and his political nonsense. The economy is at its worse and no one is clarify anything. They all lie – the ministers, the senators etc and the dummies who eleceted them are clueless. They killed agriculture, killied fisheries and aquaculture and now killing touris, – GOD SAVE DOMINICA

  12. joe
    April 24, 2015

    cainfield airport cruise terminal !

    • Peter Potter
      April 25, 2015

      I’ve been saying that for years. But Skerrit rather has a state palace build. This DLP regime just can not get it’s priorities right. They just have not got a clue how to advance the country. Or, maybe just maybe, is it their secret policy to keep the country down on purpose…?

  13. The Authorities
    April 24, 2015

    We The Authorities advised Mr. Tonge against accusing the bus operators.

    http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/12160-is-carnival-cruise-lines-being-lured-away-from-st-kitts

    “However, while St. Kitts authorities await the return of the Liberty, Daryl Titre the Press Attaché to Dominica’s Prime Minister, in an Instagram post Friday afternoon, said that Tourism Minister Robert Tonge had announced that the Carnival Liberty was expected to make weekly calls to Dominica until the end of May.”

    Facts:
    * Carnival Liberty was only scheduled to dock in Dominica on Oct 20, 2015 from 10:00 – 18:00.
    * Recent diversions to Dominica instead of St Kitts were said to be due to continuing repairs to the ship’s thruster system and prevailing wind conditions.
    * With the angle of pier in St Kitts, high winds can make it difficult for a ship to pull away from the dock.

    * http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/12198-carnival-cancels-st-kitts-call-again#sthash.vZuRTCxG.dpuf

    Our bus operators…

    • Tex
      April 26, 2015

      Why the continuous lies from this government. Has lying become the norm. It seems like Tony method of accountability has taken toot within everyone associated with the Dominica Labor Party.

  14. ma skerro
    April 24, 2015

    things dominica need a original shopping mall with at least 300 shops
    more food restaurant
    burger king /mc donald/domino pizza/ice cream palour /rituals coffe house.
    nite life a street party every friday nite portsmouth/
    the tourist need food/now a big craft market..stlucia have life
    now tight security

    • Ed
      April 24, 2015

      Why would anyone leave a USA town for that?

    • FORKIT
      April 27, 2015

      Chinese bring that

  15. The Hand
    April 23, 2015

    Where is DDA?
    DDA…DHTA is doing nothing just a set of pretty people attending meetings to talk talk talk and no action comes from it.

    From last year to now…what has changed in the tourism industry for the better to encourage visitors to the island

  16. Eh
    April 23, 2015

    Eh? So Dominica is the only Island that have people on the port hustling when the boat docks then.

    I doubt that

  17. Disapppointed
    April 23, 2015

    I am disappointed that Carnival ad hoc visits have ended but I thought the reason for the recent stop overs were due to bad weather, ground swells in St Kitts. We keep playing the blame game and blaming Taxi drivers for cutting prices but we not blaming the authorities for not upgrading the cruise product… I am disappointed with the state of sidewalks in Roseau, and the stench from the city’s drains, and the lack of ambiance within the city, and the ghetto-like Botanical Gardens, and the lack of things to do and see in Roseau.
    I am disappointed that the authorities do not know half of the passengers are retirees so they not interested in anything that will be too strenuous and well we have NO SHOPPING, NO GAMING (CASINO GAMBLING… Yes mapau is not a real casino… get real, and couple duty free shops do not have variety and much by the way of quality… and we need to get real, food and beverage service sucks, most of the places where they are located sucks, and most importantly the…

    • Disapppointed
      April 23, 2015

      I am disappointed that Carnival ad hoc visits have ended but I thought the reason for the recent stop overs were due to bad weather, ground swells in St Kitts. We keep playing the blame game and blaming Taxi drivers for cutting prices but we not blaming the authorities for not upgrading the cruise product… I am disappointed with the state of sidewalks in Roseau, and the stench from the city’s drains, and the lack of ambiance within the city, and the ghetto-like Botanical Gardens, and the lack of things to do and see in Roseau.
      I am disappointed that the authorities do not know half of the passengers are retirees so they not interested in anything that will be too strenuous and well we have NO SHOPPING, NO GAMING (CASINO GAMBLING… Yes mapau is not a real casino… get real, and couple duty free shops do not have variety and much by the way of quality… and we need to get real, food and beverage service sucks, most of the places where they are located sucks, and most importantly the…

    • Truth Hurts
      April 23, 2015

      Oh please just shut up YOU IDIOT!!!!!

      • Disappointed
        April 26, 2015

        The TRUTH HURTS especially when we know the truth and like IDIOTS we say nothing because we are Labourites… So it only takes an IDIOT to recognize another IDIOT… Laughable :lol: :lol: :lol:

    • Question
      April 24, 2015

      When are we going to stop the lying to the citizens of this blessed land. when a boat gets to the port, the passengers are free to choose private tour if they wish. The cruise line cannot detect to them on what tour they should go. The authorities should start speaking the truth. Yesterday there was a cruise ship in port and on king George the V street has such a bad stench, what are we saying, are we really serious about tourism? Do the officials walk the streets at all.?

      • Anthony P. Ismael
        April 24, 2015

        Not at all. They drive pas its in their air conditioned vehicles on their way home to their mansions.

    • Disappointed
      April 26, 2015

      ……and most importantly the Chinese made souvenirs sucks and can be bought in every other port at half the price… Yes it is true, many vendors go to St Maarten to buy batiks and other souvenirs to resell in Dominica… you expect our prices to be competitive
      So even in 2015 we still sleeping… we need to wake up and smell the coffee…
      While we waiting and hoping that Tourism will make the change we hoping for, like the foolish virgins we lay down our tools and say to hell with agriculture, especially bananas… let’s continue to be the dog that saw the reflection of the bigger bone in the river, dropped the real bone and lost everything… nous sot a pais sa la wii… May God help us… I must LAUGH NOW… :lol: :lol: :lol:

  18. Rob
    April 23, 2015

    We were on the Carnival Liberty the week of 4/12/2015 and our scheduled stop was St. Kitts. We were told less than 24 hours in advance that the Captain decided to not venture into St. Kitts because winds were strong and there were issues with the “left thruster” that would inhibit them from docking “safely” in St. Kitts. Therefore, we were going to the alternate port of Dominica. I was actually thrilled as we had been to Dominica before and loved the island! So, it wasn’t scheduled to stop in Dominica either week of 4/5/2012 or 4/12/2015. It was supposed to stop in St. Kitts but did not. :-)

  19. Crabs in barrel
    April 23, 2015

    We are our own worst enemy. Biting the hand that feeds us.

  20. t
    April 23, 2015

    What happen to the clean up roses idea .

  21. Chakademus
    April 23, 2015

    Seriously? What happened to the free market? Money for me but not for thee? In other words allyou coming to our country and we have to play by your rules, make the little bit of money allyou decide we can make or else allyou taking allyou ball and going home?

    Well ba-bye. I never liked cruise tourism anyway, I think stay-over tourism is much healthier and more sustainable and potentially more lucrative. Cruise tourism is an easy buck but I hate to be controlled like that. Massa day is done, those cruise companies are just a little too demanding for my liking.

    Just the opinion of a patriotic son of the soil.

    • Mamizoo
      April 23, 2015

      Ignorance and emotions have no place in advancement arena. You don’t understand an issue keep your mouth shut less you confirm your blissful ignorance.
      Interesting that chakademus is making his claim of entitlement yet he will argue that Chinese should dominate projects funded by government loans.
      Beggars cannot be choosers. You don’t have stay over tourism development platform yet you want to shoo away the only thing that we have that resembles foreign exchange. Stop Labor Party ignorant attitude.

    • anonymous2
      April 24, 2015

      Well you can kiss investors and tourists good-bye with that attitude because there are a lot of other places in the world that would welcome these people and play by their rules. DA will stay povertized, but proud and stubborn starving to death because the people have no sense or humility.

    • vanaudel
      April 24, 2015

      That’s exactly what I was thinking. Impossible they impossible.

  22. Anthony P. Ismael
    April 23, 2015

    There’s more to this story than we’re being told. So basically, Carnival wants to control tour prices on the ground. I guess free market economics is not at play here with Carnival. It’s their way or the highway.

  23. Doc. Love
    April 23, 2015

    Who they trying to fool, the reasons are a cover up. Listeners of Q have been hearing the frequent voice of a senior citizen who lives in the valley requesting changes in the valley in terms of the roads, sanitation and security. It would appear, he has never been taken seriously.

  24. Racketeering
    April 23, 2015

    “He stated that it has been brought to the attention of the authorities that “a significant number of cruise line tours are being sold outside the vessel at significantly lower prices by independent bus operators.”

    Sir, I shall not be FOOLED by you and your DLP lies. Assuming what you are saying is 25% truthful, then I have a few question for you: 1. When was this brought to the attention of the authorities? 2. Was anything done to address their concern before we got slapped with this major blow? 3. Can you show the letter to the public so we could all see what is in there?
    Mr. Sir, every three months I am on a cruise ship to the Caribbean, south America and Europe and the story you gave makes no sense since all over the world many passengers prefer to tour the country by independent buses and taxis simply because they spend less and see more than organized tours. This problem is not unique to Dominica. DA is one of the countries with less independent tours. U hiding something…

  25. Malatete
    April 23, 2015

    Of course, Mr. Tonge is disappointed but I don’t understand why he should be surprised. The official line from Carnival Cruises was always that the Liberty was diverted to Dominica from St. Kitts last week and the week before because of weather conditions. Whether there were any other motives, behind the scenes I don’t know but perhaps wishful thinking played a role in our expectations also.

  26. Titiwi
    April 23, 2015

    Today there was a big cruise ship in, which left promptly at 5 pm. Can’t say I blame them, Roseau definitely stank today with its open drains, I l did not stay either. They can say |I’m negative but it is Roseau that is negative and is a health hazard and gives a bad impression. People are not obliged to come here. Until we get that into our thick skulls the cruise ship industry will be on a downward slope.

  27. smart
    April 23, 2015

    In every Island you stop there are taxi drivers selling you cheaper tour. This is nothing. However the Carnival tours for Dca only include 1 or 2 that does not require some sort of hiking or climbing or being in good health. That excludes half he ship. Hence you find most folks get of the ship and just pay a taxi for their own personal tour or walk around roseau

  28. Lougawoo Mem
    April 23, 2015

    It’s just the continuation of the failures of a failed State that has its priorities so wrong, and will not get better until the corrupted is removed in order to get the country on the right track to prosperity. St. Kitts had over a million cruise ship visitors while we are struggling to hold on to the little that we get. People keep on wishful thinking while you accept lies from a government you chose that continues to bring hardship and poverty especially on those who don’t support their agenda. May the Almighty Father open our eyes to see what is right versus wrong. God bless our beloved Dominica.

    • The Facts
      April 23, 2015

      Dominica has hardship and poverty? On whose behalf are you making this statement? Who caused them? You are the one deceiving the people.
      As I have previously stated, those who think some people are experiencing hardship and poverty should conduct a survey and ask those people how they managed to experience hardship and poverty and continue to remain in that manner.
      Some of them have money to attend shows as also Alkaline’s performance. Are they poor? Those very same people may be the ones who receive financial assistance from the PM and they are crying poor and criticizing him.
      A few people recently returned from Dominica. The reviews I got about Dominica are positive. Today, Dominicans are better off than they were in those days. Are some ever satisfied?

      • anonymous2
        April 24, 2015

        How do some of these people maintain their lifestyle? You don’t know that they steal from others? This is an island of thieves and liars. Be careful when they smile to your face and act all nice.

      • Jane Doe
        April 24, 2015

        I wish I could give you a thousand thumbs down. You are so out of touch with the reality on the ground.

        Come home and take a look for yourself. Drive around the island around midday and you will see the number of young able bodied men and women just loitering on the streets. No jobs, nothing productive to do.

        You people like to stay wherever you are and just make baseless statements. Come home, if its so sweet in Dominica, come join the rest of us here on the ground. Smdh

      • Anthony P. Ismael
        April 24, 2015

        Really? Have you seen the state of the Princess Margaret Hospital lately? Have you reviewed the high unemployment that persist on the island?

        Have you reviewed local electricity rates? They are the highest in the English speaking Caribbean. Have you reviewed customs duties also? We also have the most expensive port in the Eastern Caribbean.

        I am curious how you arrived at your conclusions.

      • The Facts
        April 25, 2015

        @ Jane Doe

        You have a right to use this name because you are in oblivion. I have been home and I also noted. What I also observed are young men high on marijuana/drugs. I need not elaborate further.
        People as you tend to blame the government instead of these people, some of whom prefer ingesting drugs and wasting their time. This is why I stated, conduct a survey to find out what happened to them and how they managed to be this way.
        I am correct in making these comments. I will keep on making that statement. If one was conducted, you would be surprised at the answers that some of them did not even try and to complete school.
        Some of us are not foolish to observe and to know this. Instead you place the blame on the government for the failure of some nationals who did not try to make something of themselves since youth. Some of you rather ignore and hide the facts. Let the truth be known. Do not hide it or water it down. Be honest.

  29. Laba Ka Kwasais Dominique
    April 23, 2015

    A little sikiyais told me that the real reason the cruise decided to not stop in Dominica is that the cruise operator is very unhappy with Dominica. The passenger ratings were very low. But it is funny that Ian douglas told us that the Carnival Cruise company had issues with fuel and then a few months after Ian said that Dominica has to put a few things in place.
    Would a cruise ship pull out simply because a few tour operators are making an extra $200 – $300. Say 20 tour operators undercutting amounts to $6000. That is nothing These cruise operators could make 20 times that amount in the bars and casinos. My point is don’t believe the lies. These politicians have every reason to lie – they must keep shoring up their deficiencies with lies and propaganda.

  30. carrotop
    April 23, 2015

    I have been on cruises, why shouldn’t we go outside the box, to get cheaper prices. Often times what you sign up for on the ship, it is then cancelled, I signed up for 5 on a cruise ship and didn’t get one of them, so went outside the box, cheaper and got what I wanted. Cruise ship is unhappy cutting their tickets to the bone to get passengers, and now they want you to sign up for their trips. Get real!!

  31. True Dominican
    April 23, 2015

    I am not surprised by this decision.

    The Labour Party should have invested some of the millions they spent on the election to raise and clean up Dominica’s profile.

    Labour par qua travail!

    • Titiwi
      April 23, 2015

      yes Sir, labour kaka twavay.

  32. Say mwe ki la
    April 23, 2015

    Yes Truth actually it was.

  33. DA DA DA
    April 23, 2015

    If the “welcome” at the berths are anything like I remember, with the hustling of the visitors, cant really blame them.

  34. TimTim
    April 23, 2015

    lol….well we like it so, we free!

  35. mashupah
    April 23, 2015

    Since Carnival pull out of DA they have been dangling carrot in front them tourism big wigs eyes but they refuse to see it…

  36. jamma
    April 23, 2015

    so the blame now is on private taxi operators? lol…. I don’t belluv it…. let me tell u why…. the first buses or taxi’s a tourist sees is the ones on contract with DASPA…. it means if a tourist bypassed them and arrived outside the barriers to be ‘convinced’ on a tour by independent taxi’s then it means something about the service the buses on contract provides needs to be upgraded…. because b4 they get on port, they have no idea what buses or taxi’s charge outside the barriers…

  37. April 23, 2015

    Sounds incredibly selfish considering Dominica is a developing country, they have that huge ship and are worried about loosing a few dollars to the locals.

    • Tjebe fort
      April 23, 2015

      Man get real. The only reason a cruise line wants to visit a place is to make money. They are are not charities or aid funds. If we want their business we have to compete with all the other islands. I don’t mind for myself but there are a lot of people struggling to get a few miserable dollars. So government make up your mind, do you want the cruise business or not. That thing about bus drivers undercutting is a red herring, because that is happening in other islands also.

    • Merlot
      April 23, 2015

      DEVELOPING COUNTRY????? Are you serious??? Dominica was LESS DEVELOPED 15-20yrs ago and the tourism industry was BOOMING. GET REAL! That’s you guys excuse for EVERYTHING…”developing country”
      Haiti that more MAL than us getting more tourists. Quit making excuses for you guy’s POOR customer service and nasty place.

  38. wonderland
    April 23, 2015

    The reasons for the 2010 pullout were never addressed by the Government and Dda. In the 5 year absence of Carnival nothing was done to enhance our product offerings. Its the same old over priced tours. Not all surprised with only two calls the ship has called it quits!

  39. DA Carnival Cruiser
    April 23, 2015

    This is a very misleading statement by Mr. Tonge.
    As a person who cruises annually on Carnival ships for the past 6 years, and who has actually cruised on Carnival Liberty on the caribbean route, I know that this is false. Carnival has specific confirmed itineraries that they publish months in advance of the scheduled dates,,and passengers book their cruises months in advance knowing the ports of call. On this caribbean route, Carnival Liberty goes to San Juan, St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Martin. There are scheduled cruises every month to these same ports. The cruise for the week of 10/18/2015 is the ONLY one scheduled to stop in Dominica, instead of St. Kitts. The reason why there were stops in Dominica for 2 weeks recently is because they could not stop in St. Kitts due to weather so they substituted Dominica. THERE WERE NEVER ANY SCHEDULED STOPS FOR DOMINICA FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL OR MAY OR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS. Why is Mr. Tonge trying to mislead Dominicans?

    • Anthony P. Ismael
      April 24, 2015

      Mr. Tonge knows fully well, that his audience can be easily swayed by his foolish talk. He knows that the average Dominican citizenry will not venture on the Internet and research Carnival’s itinerary for themselves.

      If they did, he would not be so blatantly deceptive.

    • DA in the US
      April 24, 2015

      Totally agree. I was on that same cruise last year with my family and Dominica was never on the list. As a matter of fact DA was removed a long time ago and from what I heard it was because of what occurred with the homosexuals visiting DA and getting arrested. Remember Carnival Cruise line is from the US and in the US ppl stand for alot that is immoral and will cut you off if you stand for something opposite. That is including homosexuality to make a statement.

  40. smh
    April 23, 2015

    Who ever was wrote this article must be a professional…… :-P :lol: :-D

  41. Mark
    April 23, 2015

    My wife and I visited Dominica in December 2013 via a cruise ship and we booked a private tour with an experienced and reputable Dominican company and we had the best excursion experience ever! I would mention the tour company’s name here but I think this site doesn’t allow ‘free advertising’. We loved the combination of Dominica’s nature, history, and people. I personally think Carnival’s reasons for cancelling their port visits to St Georges is something other than what they have claimed. As for local comments about building various types of new tourist amusement activities I say only “be careful and go slowly”. You need adequate infrastructure to support growing your tourism. Personally, as a tourist who fell in love with Dominica at first sight, a friendly “hello” from a stranger more endearing and memorable than any waterpark activity.

    • Mark
      April 23, 2015

      Ooops. I said “St Georges” when I mean Rouseau. My bad! I’m getting old and forgetful.

      • The Facts
        April 23, 2015

        I was wondering if you meant Grenada but realized it was a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. You’re excused. :lol:

    • The Facts
      April 23, 2015

      Pleased to know you love Dominica and your visit and experience were enjoyable. Hope you visit again and soon, this time for a stay-over of at least a few days. This will give you ample time to see the rest of Dominica and at your own pace.
      There are some people as tourists who look for something different. They compare those places to others. They appear not to realize that each country is different and has its unique beauty. Some of them do not look for the best. They look for the worst. This is why they may be dissatisfied.

  42. nigel
    April 23, 2015

    What type of excuse is this? There is more to the story.

  43. AP George
    April 23, 2015

    How could it be a major blow if these visits were unplanned anyway?

    The problem with Dominica is that there are no major infrastructural developments and all they want is for tourists to be dumped to the shores and go sightseeing. Sightseeing for what? …We can’t think that nowhere else has waterfalls or rivers or lakes… Come on, tourism infrastructure must be developed so that tourists can have a reason to want to come.
    What about building an underwater observatory (like they do have in St Thomas) down at Sourfriere? Or an aquarium, or interactive museums/zoo, maybe a Splash Island waterpark in Portsmouth? Or an IMAX theatre with a Dominican theme? Build/develop things that will be unique and has appeal. Since the government likes to do private industry projects, let them spearhead these!

    • nigel
      April 23, 2015

      I feel the same way. My thoughts exactly. So many hidden potential and we are still doing business the same old way. lack of vision and the capacity to see those vision through.

    • Zandoli
      April 23, 2015

      No, how about making those natural attractions accessible to tourists and locals.

      Have you looked at the age of the people who come off the ships? Most of the are seniors or middle aged. How many of those people do you think can hike to the boiling lake or Sari Sari Falls?

      The Canadians and Americans built a city around Niagara Falls. How many people do you think would visit Niagara Falls if it was in the middle of the jungle with only a trail to get to it?

      If we really want to develop our tourism sector, we need to do what it takes.

      St. Maarten and St. Thomas are known for their quality shopping and cheap alcohol. We are known as the nature isle, but if we cannot bring nature to the tourists, we have to find a way to get the tourists to nature.

      • Realist
        April 23, 2015

        Dear DNO,…would like to report a bug report…I can only give this man 1 Thumbs up

    • AVLIM
      April 24, 2015

      Thing is….the ones with the innovative ideas (the young people) are being stifled by the older ones up top….who will not give up their posts, while they are doing nothing about everything. im speaking of Those with the degrees who have no insight and get by with their certificates while innovation is lacking in our economy. When we innovative people bring ideas….because its not their idea…and they have no idea how to implement it…it gets shoved under the rugs to suit their agenda. I am saying this because i am one who have been bringing innovative ideas to those who can harness it. and NOTHING is being done…untill i have gotten fedup of offering my services to a Ministry / Government who do not accept, respect or use it. I am disappointed with the higher ups. And i do NOT blame the PM. I blame those who he have put in the position to make things better, and they are to ignorant to know better. Honestly, if something isnt done with these people…,……………………..

  44. Pedro
    April 23, 2015

    Don’t fool yourself. This is not the only reason they are pulling out. I don’t think the reasons for passenger dissatisfaction have improved. We are a nice people but that by itself won’t sustain business. We have to step up our game across many facets which includes quality of the product and stop looking narrowly at any convenient excuses which may be given. Its much bigger that that!

    • Ross
      April 23, 2015

      I strongly agree with you. As a stakeholder in the tourism industry, I am fed up of attending useless meetings with the Ministry of Tourism and the DDA that produce absolutely no results. All they do well, and I mean very well, is TALK, TALK and TALK!

      • Tjebe fort
        April 23, 2015

        Ross, you forget the free lunch!

  45. Mamizoo
    April 23, 2015

    DNO please allow me to attach one of your articles of 2012 highlighting the same issue. People’s livelihood should never be politicized and when that is so well this is what we have. How much evidence do we need to show that we have ” cant do administration” Too much micromanagement and political child play is the reason why our country keep going backwards. A government and it’s operatives too compromised to implement action and measures that is deemed harmful to votes and popularity.
    Allwe have from this administrators is talk talk talk and deception
    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/tourism-publicity/dominica-to-strengthen-amend-tourism-act/

  46. Smart
    April 23, 2015

    they could just promote our agriculture as agro tourism seeing we are the nature island of the world our food is the cleanest in the world so on that level our food should be marketed. every country should want to eat food grown in Dominica, but agriculture was never sensitized as such alas.

  47. Zandoli
    April 23, 2015

    By now I thought Carnival Cruise Lines would be used to healthy competition? They want to charge double and triple the prices and when the local operators charge a reasonable price, that upsets them?

  48. Dee
    April 23, 2015

    Does this mean that the money for the tours around the island have been going to the cruise ship company rather than to Dominica and Dominicans? That just seems wrong.

    • Lang Mama
      April 23, 2015

      Your typical labor Party fools

    • Crabs in barrel
      April 23, 2015

      When the bus/taxi driver/ tour operator gets hired by the cruise ship to take passengers on a tour, do you think that the driver does it for free? When the tourist/passenger purchases an item/souvenir from a local vendor, where does the money go to?

  49. Ross
    April 23, 2015

    Here we go again! Same old lame duck reactionary approach! Carnival should announce the following; “Carnival Cruise Lines” will no longer be calling at Dominica’s ports effective immediately.

  50. Positively Dominican
    April 23, 2015

    Very very sad indeed! Agriculture has been distorted for tourism. The government want my Dominican people to resort to concrete to survive. The economy in Dominica is getting from bad to worse. God, put a hand please!

    • Positively Dominican
      April 23, 2015

      CORRECTION:
      Agriculture has been destroyed for tourism development……….

  51. TRUTH
    April 23, 2015

    Were the two unexpected ‘suprise’ visits a test which failed? Just wondering..

    • April 23, 2015

      No, they were weather related.

      • ??
        April 23, 2015

        No, it’s a test that failed miserably. Why then did the minister of tourism make an announcement saying that the ship would be calling every Friday until May? Something does not add up…

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