Travel writer “Disappointed in Dominica”

A view of Roseau
A view of Roseau

In an article, which appeared on website “traveladdict.net,” travel writer, Lance Longwell, tells of a recent trip to Dominica and how disappointed he was in it.

While admitting that the island is beautiful and lives up to its reputation as a place of “intense natural beauty,” there are many things it is struggling with.

“But Dominica is also an island struggling with poverty and trying to accommodate tourism,” Longwell wrote. “The island’s infrastructure just isn’t able to handle the amount of visitors it is receiving. The result is a trip-over-each-other experience – especially if more than one cruise ship is in port at a time.”

He wrote: “The challenge with Dominica is that there are relatively few things to do on the island. So, when a large number of visitors arrive at one time (such as when a cruise ship is in town), the island is overwhelmed as nearly everyone visits Titou Gorge, the Champagne Reef and Trafalgar Falls. The island’s infrastructure can’t accommodate that many visitors at one time and in such concentrations. We loved the natural beauty of Dominica and would like to return someday. But on this trip, we were definitely disappointed in Dominica.”

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125 Comments

  1. Belle
    August 11, 2017

    Dominicans need to understand what tourists are looking for if they intend to appeal to them. I live in the US but I was raised in DA and I am always surprised at the level of ignorance in regards to tourism. If you can’t enjoy the best features of an island at the time you visit, why would you want to come back? It’s the same price to visit Hawaii. If you’ve never been a tourist to Dominica, you will never understand the authors point and while you work on infrastructure, work on customer service! Too many arrogant, overly educated people and not enough service trained people.

  2. myrtle
    May 4, 2015

    Mr Lance Long well

    You came to Dominica on a cruise ship for a day out. What was the time you arrived to Dominica and the time cruise ship departure from dominica. At the time you arrive there a lot tour buses waiting to take visitor on tour. Like someone said in there comment. You did not want to hire a tour guide. It seem to m
    e you did not want to pay the money. You wanted the tour for free. So instead you walked around in town or seat by yourself in a country you never been, until it was time for you to get back on your cruise ship. So please don’t come to Dominica and criticise. You must have heard from someone Dominica was small so you came to Dominica thinking you could walk around in dominica for a day or half day. So speak the truth you didn’t want to pay a tour guide to drive you to see the beautiful nature Island of Dominica. So before you come an criticise come to Dominica for two weeks hire a tour guide to take you around. Make sure you have money to pay the…

  3. April 22, 2015

    I admit I have not yet visited Dominica.

    However, I have personally talked to individuals in Canada who have vacationed in Dominica. They had nothing but good to say about the island. Mainly they told of its beauty. One lady said ”It is paradise.”

    I have read DNO every day for several years. This has acquainted me with every facet of life in your country – the good and the bad – and shown me there are some places I would want to see if I get to visit the island.

    I did not like Lance Longwell’s article. He may have visited at a bad time. His opinion may have been influenced by his tour guide. There are enough positive things to say about Dominica without him spewing off the way he did. It appears he went as a travel journalist to get a scoop. I hope he is satisfied.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist. :-P

  4. April 7, 2015

    Hello and good afternoon my people. Well he made a number of valid points which our Government must understand and act upon but I disagree with him in regards to poverty in Dominica. We need better parking and more attractions like promoting place where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed because foreigners like this type of attractions. I see the article as constructive criticism and he said he will visit us again.

  5. joan
    April 2, 2015

    why dont you comment on how much you paid for a coke on the ship?

  6. joan
    April 2, 2015

    if you wanted to really see dominica you should spend your money and visit for a month before criticising. rent a car and drive around like i do when i visit other islands.

  7. Reality
    April 1, 2015

    I believe that Dominicans are way too negative. Any negatives, bad news, murders and the like can never be seen on the front pages in the Barbados’ newspapers. We tend to focus on everything wrong in this country instead of what’s right. For a change, let’s skip or ignore the negative comments and give them the last pages in our newspapers and magazines and concentrate on the positives for a change.

  8. proudjamaica
    April 1, 2015

    For tourism to work, people have to have a welcoming spirit. Paranoia and suspicion are not good things for people who want to visit.

  9. Truth
    March 31, 2015

    After reading the many post here, all I can say is BRING BACK THE ARIEL TRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For me, when this enterprise shut down, this country just hasn’t been the same,……. I don’t know any other way to express my feelings……. Someone help me………………………. Pretty sure this gentlemans blog would have read differently if the tram were runnin……….

  10. March 31, 2015

    I just attended n international medical tourism conference where I felt like disappear ing through the floor as the key featured speaker used his nightmare service experience while visiting Dominica during the carnival season
    Dominica wasvbeing used as an example destination where everything was going wrong as far as service standards go
    Mr Tonge has his work cut out for him

  11. black eye
    March 31, 2015

    the article is wrongfully captioned. by reading the article I fail to understand his disappointment. is it that to many persons were at the same location with him?
    I see it as a gesture to attract attention to himself.

  12. country girl
    March 31, 2015

    i hate when people talk about poverty,ever country in the world have poverty, America have so many people
    leaving in shelters, have to eat in soup kitchen every day, young and old leaving on wellfare, hundreads of people sleeping under highways and bridges, so every where in the world have poverty. st maarten gets about seven cruise ship in port or more sometimes, some will go on tour, some will go on jet skies, others go on catamarans, some go scubba diving also ziplining, some even go to anguilla to swim with the dolphings,they go to sunset to see the planes land over the beach, plus there are so many nice beaches just to relax on.the town is a bit crowded but the merchants don’t mind. People who visit on cruise will likely come back for a weeks stay, so they are just as important.( just saying).

    • DA4Reeal
      March 31, 2015

      I agree with you. There is poverty in the good old USA. This guy talking about waiting in line for a long time. Guess he has not been to Disney world, bush gardens, Aventure Island, Magic kingdom where you pay $149 for your ticket and have to wait in line for 45 minutes to 2 hours to get a 2 minutes ride. These people. Oh boy. He must not see the people in trailer parks (Trailer Trash) smelling like chimneys on the dirty buses, he must not see the homeless people sleeping in the parks in the downtown areas with their dogs in dirty smelling clothes, he did not see the prostitutes on the streets trying to make money, he must not have seen the drug addicts with teeth like left over charcoal or broken cocoa sticks in their mouths. He must have not seen the crowded trains with so many unpleasant characters. He must be so immuned that he forgot to take the placque of his eyes before he starting touring Dominica.

      • out of south city
        March 31, 2015

        He can go to hell as far as I am concerned.

      • Titiwi
        March 31, 2015

        Yes there are poor people in the U.S.A., I have seen that myself but there is one thing very puzzling about this. How come more Dominicans want to go and make their living in the U.S.A. and not stay here,. Why Americans coming to live here are far fewer than Dominicans going to live in the U.S.A. Why the P.M.’s wife birthed her baby in the U.S.A. and not in her own country. There must be a good reason.

  13. Concerned Dominican
    March 31, 2015

    Precisely why Dominica should not necessarily concentrate on large scale tourism with large numbers who each spend small amounts but rather on small scale middle and upper market tourism, with persons who are willing and able to spend large amounts!! What we need is the training and the investment and a change in attitude from all on the island in providing a unique and special experience for every single visitor who visits the country!! TOURISM IS EVERY BODY’S BUSINESS!!

    • DA4Reeal
      March 31, 2015

      Every single visitor will never be satisfied.

  14. Byron Mulligan
    March 31, 2015

    This is nothing more than a summation of the cruise ship tourist experience and so very different from my experience staying weeks and months at a time in Calibishie on the magnificent Atlantic coast exploring the countryside and getting to know the people. But this perspective is so misleading.

    If you are looking for your modern world amenities and need your silver platter service then perhaps the Island is not for you. But if you have a sense of adventure, love the outdoors and want to explore an unspoiled and pristine natural wonderland then I can’t imagine a better spot on the planet. There are so many things to do. And more often than not I find myself alone or with a very few others at the nicest beaches, wonderful mountain streams and waterfalls, and endless hikes along the Waitukubuli National Trail. And while you don’t see cyclists here, the riding in the countryside and secondary roads is quite spectacular, especially if you like to climb.

    • DA4Reeal
      March 31, 2015

      Thanks you very much for sharing your positive experience

    • Bod
      April 1, 2015

      Seriously ? You can’t imagine a better spot on the planet ?

  15. March 31, 2015

    The negative comments on here are obviously from ignorance or those who did not read the entire article. The is a well written candid and honest article. I am a Dominican who is an avid traveler and I’ve been to developing countries whose tourism is so organized and connected that even if sites are crowded it is managed efficiently. He simply points to te crowed and lack of access to sites while making great comments on the beauty of the island.

    For those of you who are negative I challenge you instead to make one suggestion as to how we can alleviate this problem. Why don’t you all do a letter campaign with suggestions on fixing the issue. Maybe the public should get on board with assisting the government in this regard. It’s our country and this problem can be fixed.

    • DA4Reeal
      March 31, 2015

      Why do we like to dictate what people do so often. Perhaps you should have made your suggestion for fixing the issue instead of challenging people to do it.

    • April 7, 2015

      To Dasheen.

      Hello and good afternoon my people. I agree with your comment because it seems like most of the people posting didn’t understand what he’s saying. I see it as positive criticism and he’s asking us to do better therefore it’s up to us to make his next trip better.

  16. mine
    March 31, 2015

    whenever there is something bad to say about Da DNO is quickly to post because they are one of them.

  17. Bod
    March 31, 2015

    Before everyone starts getting all excited about this, let’s get some perspective. traveladdicts.net is a personal blog site, that’s it – the article was not written by a ‘professional’ travel writer. And furthermore, the couple who wrote this very short piece were here on the island for just one day. That’s it. One day on a cruise, visiting all the usual sites with all the usual crowds. If you do want to read anything into this then it should be that our shore excursion tours are not scheduled very well. Too many bus loads of people go to the same sites at the same time: Botanic gardens, Morne Bruce, Trafalgar, TiTou Gorge, Screws. It’s nuts. There needs to be better planning and more creativity regarding shore excursions.

    • DA4Reeal
      March 31, 2015

      Have you seen the number of people who go to Disney world at anyone time. One only gets to do all the rides if they pay extras for priority tickets all others must wait for long periods in the line for 2 minutes rides. Please.

      • Bod
        April 1, 2015

        Are you seriously comparing Dominica to Disney ? Come on.

  18. A Doubting Thomas
    March 31, 2015

    That is one person view; the co-founder of the magazine got us to read his magazine because it is the first time I heard of it. I would like to thank him for the beautiful pictures. If I were planning a trip and never been to Dominica, I would really want to come and see these places for myself and not take one person opinion of the country. Surprisingly I can not recall he mentioned one person name he spoke to in Dominica; a big giveaway, wouldn’t you agree?

    Yesterday I went to a store and the lineup was so long I decided the few items I was holding I would not waste an hour for them. I looked at the insane lineup for a little sale and put the items down and left.

    On a different occasion I have stood for hours to enter a show I wanted to see; not that there was nothing else happening in the area but because this was the show I wanted to see.

    We have read articles where visitors have better experiences. We cannot expect everyone to love our lovely Nature Island.

    • DA4Reeal
      March 31, 2015

      Personally, I questioned this write up as well. I really wondered.

  19. Prince J
    March 31, 2015

    As a Dominican I know how hard things can get, but Da is a small Island and we don’t need everyone coming at once. Yea man we need to spreed it through the week and encourage people to come and visit this beautiful land of ours.Keep Da beautiful Man

  20. wowzers
    March 31, 2015

    The tour operator who told him about poverty was probably looking for a good sympathy tip.

  21. The Facts
    March 31, 2015

    He visited, he saw, experienced. This is his sole opinion which does not reflect that of other visitors. Did he expect to see skyscrapers and the likes in D/ca?
    Which country does not have poverty? The bigger the country, the more poverty among the population. Those of us who reside overseas know this too well.
    He knew in advance what type of country he was visiting. He is comparing D/ca to a country with millions of people?
    What did he want to do at nights? Prior to booking his passage and traveling there surely he had an idea about D/ca.
    Pertaining to the tourist ships, he cannot expect a re-scheduling of their visit for another time.
    Pertaining to the visitors at those tourist sites, there could have been some sort of organization but they would have had to line-up. Would he have been satisfied with that?
    He spoke about the caged animals. Do Zoos in those countries not have caged animals. I think he expected too much. He is not as learned as he projected.

    • March 31, 2015

      @The Facts March 31, 2015

      You have said it for me, nice going!

  22. Views Expressed
    March 30, 2015

    We are very disappointed in our government. That is the first thing to clean up

  23. anonymous2
    March 30, 2015

    People in DA are under the illusion that the “tourists have all of this money to spend.” Wake up. It is probably all they can afford to just take the cruise and maybe 1 or 2 excursions on their island (s) of choosing. They don’t have all this “money” that you think that they have. Have you checked the prices on cruises lately? They are in no way cheap. You see all of these old people in their 70’s + getting off the ships……….this is probably the dream cruise that they have been saving up for all of their working lives. People in DA need to get in touch with the reality of life. The problem is that they think that any tourist that comes in is loaded with money and that they should be “entitled” to it. Well, these people aren’t rich and you aren’t entitled just because they stop here for a few hours.
    The big problem is that the general population in DA doesn’t travel that much because they don’t have the money, so they just ASS U ME that these people have…

  24. karla is back
    March 30, 2015

    aymennnnnnnnnnnnn ayymmennnnnnnnnnnnnnn

  25. calpit
    March 30, 2015

    Poverty is everywhere!! every single island in the caribbean struggles with more than ship, so many ships in st thomas at one time yet still you tell me what’s there to see? in st croix one attraction two pigs drinking beer!!!

  26. Kay
    March 30, 2015

    Who the hell asked you to visit? The last time I checked, you werent invited. We don’t want you back especially as you have mostly negative things to say.

  27. yesterday
    March 30, 2015

    A pity Ian D, Colin P and the other bright bulbs did not see this, we would have been way ahead.

  28. derp
    March 30, 2015

    Dominican’s don’t take pride in their country they throw rubbish EVERYWHERE just look at their beaches, it’s dirty and filled with rubbish come on now HAVE some pride in our country

  29. nigel
    March 30, 2015

    REALLY! THATS WHAT WE ARE BRINGING TO LIGHT. comment by some tourist who was disappointed to the crowds. Did he expect to be on the sites all alone. Why can’t we focus and bring to light all the great comments people have said about dominica. The world is reading this crap and we are making easier for them see exactly how the people on the island think.

  30. noooooooooooooo
    March 30, 2015

    i appreciate the constructive criticism of the writer, however he has based his opinion on this one visit to Dominica which he came to on a crew ship and only experienced some of our many activities and attractions. I think that this is unfair. they brought him to the most easily accessible places on island. he did not experience the east coast, or the interior. nor did he experience the northern coast or the communities. he did not meet the people of this country, nor did he meet the kalinagoes or the north eastern coast where there are many attractions.he is judging this country based on his on visit and i dont think that this fair to us dominicans.
    you can criticize my government and the opposition , but dont criticize my country and my people based on your one day experience in my country. i dont like this publishing one bit.

  31. forreal
    March 30, 2015

    wow has mister longwell been to st Thomas,which gets like six ships on certain days ,the traffic gets so hectic,yet no one writes an article as mister longwell did,as for sights that’s out of the question,st thomas has only three tourist destinations to date,megans bay the beach, look out spots,and mountain top which is basically another look out point that’s all,dominica has amazing natural areas to give a memory of a lifetime,i disagree, longwell,if he to likes gambling,tell he go to st marten man,with his bullshit,i was born and grew up on dominica,when I went to the many great lakes we have,up till now I am still astonished,and I am almost fifty five years old

    • April 8, 2015

      Why you not in Dominica?????

    • April 8, 2015

      Additionally tell that to the thousands of Dominicans who live in St Thomas who are making a nice living off the tourist dollar,

  32. WeNiceMan
    March 30, 2015

    I’m 100% Dominican and proud. But he is right. He said nothing deragotory. He just made some objective observations. That’s the price of opening up your “home” to visitors. All comments won’t be positive. You are free to disagree. But as a proud people it’s more a case of us feeling a little bit embarrassed. And that’s OK and natural. The powers that be need to pay attention to such critiques and work towards a better product. Take it in stride my people.

  33. michael valerie
    March 30, 2015

    there are some truth to what the writer is saying. Dominica can be much more welcoming, but we have to start from the very bay front, that whole area need to remodel, when the guests get off the ship they have to feel like they are in a city, the vending areas on the road side is not appropriate we need structures that the venders don’t have to be transporting their stuff back and forth every day, but has to be affordable. the city is not welcoming, the quality of our streets are very poor with little side walks, in some areas non at all, canals with dirty smelling water running all day all night Vehicles pact on both sides of the streets living a narrow path in the middle. some thing must be done if we going to move forward.

  34. Dan Tanner
    March 30, 2015

    He puts it mildly. He omits the thuggery, begging, noise, pollution, horrible roads and more.

    • Dogberry
      March 31, 2015

      To Mr. Dan Tanner – why did you stay for so long with the “thuggery, begging, noise, pollution, horrible roads and more.” Why are you still monitoring what’s going on in the island through DNO? You are happy to be out so stay out of anything Dominican.

  35. Bloodline
    March 30, 2015

    I agree with him about the infrastructure but when it comes to the part about limited things to do in Dominica he is wrong on that one. He cannot come to that conclusion when he came on a cruise for a day and had couple hours to visit Dominica. He cannot expect for the tour guides to take him around Dominica in one day. Of course they are going to bring them to the most visited places on the island; and what do they expect if cruise ships are in port? People would want to go to these familiar places that are promoted in the brochures. Therefore, if he revisits for at least a week in Dominca i am sure the outcome on his reviews would be different.

  36. tony
    March 30, 2015

    Don’t lose sight of what he wrote.. The infrastructure …..and it will continue to be part of the problem . just look at the island people build businesses and do not build parking lots to accommodate their customers and their staff. Roseau which is the main port of entry for these tourist is a total mess u can’t drive with so much congestion, no space to walk, everywhere you look a vendor is using up the sidewalk space. It’s like we know the problem is there and it will get worse but nothing has been done about it in quite some time. Imaging Dominica’s population growing by a few thousand’s in the years to come, there will be no space in town for people to breathe.

  37. March 30, 2015

    We have to many morons in Dominica who just gets upset about nothing to build a country one must listen and think we should learn to set up busineses. The visitors have been saying for a long time there is nothing to do on the island. We have to set up the things to do to get their money. Take a look at Rodney Rock doing nothing, there are many places we can develop for the tourist.. most of the places that we have are badly run. Go to Greece , some of the islands are the same size as Dominica all they do is tourist , Dominica is a jim compare to some of these places ? Why are we not making more money. Stop waiting on government do it your selves.

  38. March 30, 2015

    As business people who own an island and deliver a product you should always listen to the customer. You need them more than they need you. You must listen to what every one have to say and deliver a better product. Our job together should be to listen to what the customer wants and get some of the 2 b people spend traveling.

  39. Anonymous
    March 30, 2015

    Fellow Dominicans, we need to be able to take constructive criticism. Read the article in its entirety, including the responses to some of the comments on the traveller’s website. Dominica is transitioning from an agriculture based economy to include tourism. Of course we still have a lot to work on! The writer is merely giving his opinion based on his 1 day experience. We should therefore see this as a guide… a starting point. Some basic things which I have deduced solely based on this article is that we need to make more sites accessible to disseminate arrivals in a manner that prevents congestion. Also, the tour guides should be adequately paid and informed of what they should or should not say to visitors since they are the ones who spend most of the time with arrivals to the country.

  40. Baba
    March 30, 2015

    Truth is truth offended or not. He did not see the rubbish piled up in Roseau and the trucks overflowing with the garbage men hanging on the side? and didn’t he hear about the 35million dollar campaign? That would have added some spice to the article. Sadly he did not come the day the landfill caught fire, he would have posted that beautiful picture too.

    • dom
      March 30, 2015

      baba you are a fool

  41. Phil
    March 30, 2015

    I have been to Dominica. I would love to return and write an article rebutting some of his opinions!

    • Stanley
      March 30, 2015

      You lie. you live here. hahaha

    • Titiwi
      March 30, 2015

      What is stopping you bro?

  42. Abitrator
    March 30, 2015

    He is right on the money and we need to start taking constructive criticism. They need to use the cruise ship berth at cabrits to reduce the over crowding in the Roseau area. With proper planning of when and where the tours will be I think we will be ok

  43. Neutral
    March 30, 2015

    We need to take hind of what was just said about Dominica. We need to emback on a strategy to enhance or solve these problems. Lets all work together to make our beautiful Nature Isles country better. Words of advise, Dominicains please start submitting ways to solve these problems to the Tourist board, ministers or who is responsibe for assisting the tourist with those problems which were reported.

  44. odinn
    March 30, 2015

    Dominicans are generally nice and welcoming people, genuine, friendly and helpful. They lack the motivation to exploit tourists. I have been many times to Dominica and I have felt the heart-beat of the nation and the honestly and empathy that most people share. There are several things that work against the tourist industry in Dominica. One is the the cruise-ships, but those tourists are not spending money on goods, in restaurants and so on. The cruise companies are purchasing everything in advance, forcing the price down and then selling tours and other activities on-board, for much higher price. The environment in Roseau is also not very welcoming. The trash-bins were a great improvement but litter and trash is a very big problem and distracting for most people. Americans are also very reluctant to take things as they are and you must convert everything to inches and feet for them to understand. I like the comment about the appreciative Icelandic tourists here above :)

    • anonymous2
      March 30, 2015

      Where do you live? Not on DA I can assure you. If you did, you would have a much different picture of the people here. They will definitely smile at your face and act nice if that will get you to spend money. Make sure that you don’t bring anything of value. Every tourist and resident is not so lucky as you have been so far.

      • odinn
        March 31, 2015

        I lave in northern Europe and I have been to many countries. The same applies — people are nice and politely pushy in trying to sell you goods or service no matter if you are in Spain, Turkey, France of where ever. Here is one example from D/ca. I had just arrived to Dominica for the first time four years ago and I asked a taxi driver to take me to Laudat. When asked about the price, he mentioned a figure that later turned out to be the exact and the going price for a taxi transport from Roseau to Laudat. Not even an attempt to rip me off, having a very good potential to be ripped off. Another taxi driver returned valuables I left in his vehicle. Just to name a few, but I have also been robbed on the street but I do not judge the whole nation on the basis of how a few idiots behave.

  45. March 30, 2015

    If you ever watch the show naked and alone, maybe you viewed the one on Dominica, if you have I am sure you noticed that the whole show was a lie, Dominica is not hell on earth, its not too hot and has plenty of food and water, and as for the traveladdict guy goes, Dominica also is not short on accommodation, the people are the best in all of the Caribbean islands. When I visited the U.S Virgin Islands, I went to a local bar on St Croix, I was sitting at bar, someone mention the they should put all the white people in airplanes, then push the island under for about five minutes. Its unfortunate that these types come to Caribbean islands. I am sure the traveladdict guy had his mind made up about Dominica before he arrived.

    • anonymous2
      March 30, 2015

      Im sure that he had his reasons. Maybe somebody ripped him off.

  46. Domnichen
    March 30, 2015

    The writer has a right to his opinion; however, the next time he is on a cruise, he should just stay on the ship when it docks in DA, sipping his cocktail while relaxing at the pool. He should be thankful that the land of his birth, which was chosen for him, is flawless. I am happy with the one chosen for me, despite the “struggling with poverty.”
    Accept us the way we are or…..

    • Dray
      March 30, 2015

      Being content leads to stagnation. You always have to push and have the desire to improve.

    • Neutral
      March 30, 2015

      That just pure ignorance on your part (comment). Wake up and smell the coffee. We have pass that era . PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • The Joker
      March 30, 2015

      The critic was just doing his job. He provided constructive criticism. Do you know what a job is?
      Because Dominican doesn’t have them except for clear harbour. The critic didn’t say is country was perfect because no country is without fault no exception of dominica.it is because people like you have this mind-set that is why Dominica will remain in its poverty. Yes, its poverty Dominican has it fair share of poverty just like a lot of countries. It’s just very remarkable that our poverty rate is so high because of our small population compared to our timid population.
      Do you know what Dominica’s main income is? Its tourism. With all that tourism and the new hotels being built that the total of all the hotel rooms are less than 1000. So tell me how is that working out?
      Stop burying our heads in the sand ,ensure that our tourism product is regionally and internationally competitive. Right now we cannot compete with the likes of Barbados or even the likes of 21.07km2 Sint Martin.

  47. Dominican
    March 30, 2015

    I like the candid feedback. Hopefully our tourism folks are getting feedback from the cruise ship and stay over passengers on a regular basis. This is a concise way to know which area of our tourism product that needs to be addressed.

  48. My View
    March 30, 2015

    The problem with Dominica is that Tourism officials do not strategizing effectively for the tourism industry.. We promote Dominica as the Nature Island and an Ecotourism destination. However our main focus is on cruise toursm. Eco tourists and nature lovers like peace and quiet and dislike crowds. They will pay a lot of money to visit a natural, peaceful and quiet destination for about 1 week, and spend much more money than the cruise tourist. This means that our product has to be developed to effectively accommodate the two different types of tourists. .
    Our tourism official have just not gotten this tourism strategy right. Their focus is on cruise visitors who really do not spend much money compared with the overnighters. DDA meanwhile has been playing politics and not employing competent persons to do the marketing and strategize.
    As far as I can see we are simply going around in circles and not progressing in Tourism. I expect more of such damaging reviews in the…

  49. Trevor Fabien
    March 30, 2015

    It is so very easy to condemn this writer and write him off as some spoilt American tourist writer but he did make some good points.
    If we are wanting to keep pace with the rest of the Caribbean in terms of tourism then we must improve and build new infrastructure. He made a good observation about travelling to the Trafalgar falls. He said there was no parking when they got there and had to walk up the road and when he got to the viewing platform it was packed with people. If we are marketing the country then we expect more people will be visiting and therefore we should cater for this eventuality.

    Building a bigger viewing platform, and a larger car parking space at Trafalgar are things which just cannot be overlooked. These are just some of the issues that he mentioned. I think it is constructive criticism which if it were to be taken on board will only make the Dominica more competitive. I see nothing wrong with someone giving their take though I don’t agree with everything…

  50. Dominican in London
    March 30, 2015

    I would like to recommend that the tourists visit Rodney Wellness Retreat in Soufriere.

    They would be exposed to nature at its best, supplemented by delicious cuisine and attentive owners.

    Rodney Wellness Retreat is also a gateway to the beautiful sulphur springs.
    Visit Rodney Wellness Retreat and I guarantee you, that you will be as enchanted as I was!

    • Titiwi
      March 30, 2015

      Listen man, this is soooo cheap it smacks of desperation. O.K. you got your free plug but to be honest for a place to need promotion like that is like a kiss of death, trust me.

    • Dominican in London
      March 31, 2015

      Why or why would one disagree with my comment?

      Dominica is stagnating because Dominicans do not support one another.

      A group of us from a England visited the Retreat and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. Al fresco dining, , fresh produce eaten straight from the garden, swinging in a hammock with the most delicious rum punch one will ever taste!

      My friends and I had an amazing time there and God willing will return to enjoy more of the same!

  51. Fast N Furious
    March 30, 2015

    The writer should have been in Dominica when the government and it’s party operatives decides to burn Peenez at the land fill and I’m sure the tourist will be have a more amazing experience .

  52. Thorbjørn Jagland
    March 30, 2015

    Minister of Tourism take note: “The challenge with Dominica is that there are relatively few things to do on the island. So, when a large number of visitors arrive at one time (such as when a cruise ship is in town), the island is overwhelmed as nearly everyone visits Titou Gorge, the Champagne Reef and Trafalgar Falls. The island’s infrastructure can’t accommodate that many visitors at one time and in such concentrations.”
    What happen to the aerial tram? Why don’t u all get more areas for visitors?

    • Titiwi
      March 30, 2015

      What happened to the aerial tram? Well my friend, the person, who ran it when it folded was promoted to marketing manager of the Discover Dominica Athourity, that’s what happened, and I’m not lying either!

  53. MabiMan
    March 30, 2015

    I don’t usually add comments but being very passionate about Dominica I feel I must add some words on this topic. I’m of Dominican parentage and have visited Dominica many times over the years. Cruise ship tourism is like going to the zoo. You just look and see, no real interaction everything is just sanitized. Dominica is beautiful but there are many other beautiful places that tourist can spend their money also. Its time to start thinking outside the box Dominica. How can you attract the Millennials who will want to stay for long periods of time on the island and spend their disposable incomes? There is a huge opportunity staring you right in the face. You have the terrain and could quite easily become one of the best destinations in the world to attract participants of the $2Billion per annum industry. Dominica could receive international help to assist with infrastructure and promotion. I would love to speak to someone from Tourist Board and get Dominica front and centre.

    • anonymous2
      March 30, 2015

      But first they have to have enough flights coming in per day.

  54. American
    March 30, 2015

    Well the natives say they can’t eat concrete in response to the infrastructural improvements that were made. It shows that concrete will make you eat. :roll:

  55. Marguerite
    March 30, 2015

    Alas DNO! I do not know if posting this here was a good idea! So far the responses on the original article are from people who have pride. They are very good responses. From knowledgeable, caring people who love Dominica and have pride in Dominica. Posting this on here will now expose the article to the DNO audience. Do you really want people like “the facts, FET”, among others writing comments to that article? Somethings are better left unsaid or unwritten, or uncovered. So far so good with the comments on there. I do not know how much longer it is going to remain that way now that it is on here.

    Remember a different Dominica cannot be built by “indifferent” people.

    • The Facts
      March 30, 2015

      Who are you? You have a severe problem, speaking on behalf of others. Keep in mind you are only one person with your own mind. You are not in the mind of others. It is ignorant to think for others. Do you know what is in their mind? Speak for yourself. You have not stated one thing that is positive. You cause others to oppose what you stated. People have a right to state whatever they feel like. Did you not do the same? Accord them their right. Examine your conscience. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  56. Dominican
    March 30, 2015

    Nothing New Dominicans – but DNO is who I am upset with to republish that who ever he/she was article

  57. grell
    March 30, 2015

    Many of you,dom like criticism,i guess he did not smell the urine all over Roseau,and on the side of the magistrate court is a sleeping quarter for our homeless people.If tourism is going to be a huge impact on the economy,first you start bl cleaning up Roseau bc it smells.

  58. Pied Piper
    March 30, 2015

    This travel writer has his finger on the tourism pulse. Dominicans should not feel offended as we all know that our tourism product is deteriorating rapidly. We must stop burying our heads in the sand and take decisive action to ensure that our tourism product is regionally and internationally competitive.

  59. Simple
    March 30, 2015

    The writer is credible and the necessary authorities should take note. But what do you expect when a Cruise Ship in town? I suggest the writter and his family return to Dominica when the Tourist season is over. this way he and his family gets to enjoy the Island by himself.

    • Marguerite
      March 30, 2015

      I hope they do not feel the need to offer him a free trip! For an avid travellor he should know what to expect on a cruise. He left his port with 6000 people then expected that number to magically reduce to 60 when he dock. Next time tell him do not forget his pixy dust.

  60. i must speak
    March 30, 2015

    oh boy, this is baaaad!!!! :cry: :cry: :cry:

  61. Malgraysa
    March 30, 2015

    The writer makes a valid point and we had better stop and take note. The very constraints that limit the size of our population also apply to the number of visitors we can accommodate without endangering what makes Dominica so unique. It isn’t just the numbers, which the DDA seems to concentrate on . More visitors also have a bigger impact on the fragile ecology of our sites and can overwhelm them. Another blogger informed us that on 18 Nov of this year we expect four ships to call at Roseau. I have looked at the max. passenger capacity of these ships and my findings are that we look at a total of lmax/ 8,546 passengers + 3,105 crew that day:
    Britannia 4,324 (1,398 crew), Serenade of the Seas 2,400 + 891 crew, Thomson Celebration 1,350 + 520 crew, Silver Whisper 382 + 296 crew.
    No doubt, many of us will rejoice but where are we going with are these people given the few popular sites that we have?
    Maybe we should have a rethink and concentrate more on quality rather than quantity.

    • Pop am
      March 30, 2015

      Maybe you know of the disgruntled writer’s track record. Because you agree with him does not make him or his piece credible.

    • omg
      March 30, 2015

      First rational comment I have seen here.

  62. Giving
    March 30, 2015

    that is just the opinion of one person. now tell me where the world that don’t have poverty, even in some of the worlds greatest cities. when you live away from Dominica for a while you will realize how good DA is!. i will also tell you that a heavy percentage of the of the tourist that come to Dominica either had to 1) credit their trip and then pay it monthly 2) they take a loan 3) they had to save up for a couple of years 4) or it was sponsored by friends or family. So my people don’t help that writer to say crazy things like that on our God blessed Island.

    • Zandoli
      March 30, 2015

      You have no idea what you are talking about.
      I just returned from a 12 day cruise and a lot of the people on the ship were retirees WITH MONEY to burn.

      This was my 6th cruise and being an outgoing person, I have met and spoken to a lot of people who cruise. Don’t believe everything you hear.

      • Giving
        March 30, 2015

        I did not say everybody i said ” a heavy percentage” i worked in that industry before and a department where i had direct contact with the tourist and alot of them gave me their story and that was not in Dominica.

    • Ma Moses
      March 30, 2015

      I am sorry, whoever you are but you have a very limited look on life. It is not everybody that lives on credit, or scrounging as portrayed by you. Besides the article was written by a travel writer, someone who travels for a living, in other words he gets paid for doing what he does. I don’t think he has a particular axe to grind.

      • Giving
        March 30, 2015

        you all must read and carefully when someone is making a point

    • omg
      March 30, 2015

      Sorry, but I do not agree with you. I have been on several cruises and did not have to struggle to pay for it. Don’t know what you are talking about. Maybe you all in dominica have to do that but not everyone has to.

    • The Facts
      March 30, 2015

      We do not know who he is or what his background is like. He also could have poor relatives. He has told us nothing about who he was prior to traveling, who he is today except he is an avid traveler. This does not tell us much about him, where he originated from and where he resides.

  63. Not a herd follower
    March 30, 2015

    There’s truth in what the writer says.

    • scrappy coco
      March 30, 2015

      i am asking the writer the country where he is from not saying there is no poverty here but is there no signs of poverty in his country or he was sent from hell, please writer your family maybe looking for those porn clubs and gambling houses because that’s wat you people raise with but you wont get that in our fresh green paradise

  64. DNO Reader
    March 30, 2015

    Sounds about right to me.

  65. Nancy Papademas
    March 30, 2015

    Don’t worry, my dear Dominicans – travel writers are spoiled. They like to be pampered. Don’t cater to rich tourists while your own are in need. . .the money is not worth the great division it brings. . . .I am from the U.S. and I come to Dominica every year. . .and see nice tourists from Germany and Iceland who appreciate natural beauty and what it takes to preserve it, and I find the people lovely. You will get nice tourists, not the ones who expect to be waited on while they sit around on a beach, or by a pool, drinking and chasing your girls.

    • sevitche-01
      March 30, 2015

      I totally agree with your sentiments about travel writers. Dominica is NOT Fiji abd the kind of tourism that it can support be is NOT cruise ship tourism which at the is time is simply a means to an end. I am glad that you visit Dominica every year because clearly you GET IT! It is people like you who can best support the economy in a sustainable fashion.

    • yen
      March 30, 2015

      The comment is typical of Labor Party propaganda. The reason why Laborites are so ignorant Is that they listen thru their posterior and this is what the high feeders and corrupt cabal is fully aware off. Create distortion and Laborites will grab on to the distortion like it is reality.
      if you wondering why the the Labor Party refuse to engage in meaningful debate and or discussion just refer to the comment about fun parks in America. Just pure arrogance and hubris

  66. Taking notes
    March 30, 2015

    Not good at all. Hope the government is taking notes.

    • zbor
      March 30, 2015

      Government does not need to take notes. This guy is the typical American complainer who would like things his way. I go to fun parks in us and wait an hour to get in on busy day.note the island’s poverty and slowness is what makes it what it is. This article should not cause us any grief

      • Titiwi
        March 30, 2015

        You better stay in the U.S. and enjoy your fun park, dumkopf.. Dominica promotes itself and visitors come here not for fun parks but for our natural wonders and its beautiful nature. That visitor is our customer and we should try meet their expectations so thgey tell their friends and come back. Enjoy your popcorn and Big Mac, ..not here in paradise!

      • Mamizoo
        March 30, 2015

        This is the dumbest comment ever. This is the Exact reason why we retrogress over the last 15 years and that others have run rings around our retardation. Instead of dealing with the problem we would rather deal with the messenger, hide the truth, say it is good when it is bad and make baseless and foolish comparison. For example “others have bed bugs ( penez) so it is OK for our hospital to be plagued with penez too”
        When you go to an amusement park you dedicate a day for that and so if the line is long and you wait an hour – so what. But when you have a few hors on the island it is inconvenient. Not only that the people on the island loose out cause the tourist have very little opportunity to spend their money.
        I could go on but I would leave it at that and hoe that your stupidity will reach your conscience some how

      • Lang Mama
        March 30, 2015

        What foolishness – French people come and complain just the same; the tourist complain about the long wait at the port too. But it is with attitude like that our incompetent administration make headway to achieve their personal objectives. People like you must keep putting icing on crap and tell the people tht it is cake beneath the icing.
        So in order to not expose the inefficiency of the government or to save the embarrassment let us attack the writer – typical Tony astaphan and the Labor party mentality but guess what the same tony will go wait in line to take his kid to the fun park in the US.
        Instead of using the criticism to hold the politicians feet to the fire why not try to destroy the travel writer.
        You destroy agriculture and now claiming that we are in the service industry yet you are too arrogant to appease the potential customers – way to go jack A ########

      • peopleareHILARIOUS
        March 30, 2015

        thanks you @zbor–you hit the nail on the head: this dude came to dominica for ONE DAY and expected to see everything? haha! what an idiotic whiner.

        cruise docking day is NEVER enough anywhere. when i docked in greece and turkey, we were herded through like cattle–i only had 15 minutes in one port of turkey & had to decide what i would do, since it was the last port of turkey for the remaining trip.

        he’s spoiled, wants everything microwave-fast, and is now back-pedaling his written words in the comment section of the page because of the many proud dominicans refuting his foolish words. yay! good for us! :lol: :-P

        if he’s such a skilled cruiser and travel writer, he should have gone online to book tour companies going straight to desired places or hired an individual tour guide who would be willing to take him DIRECTLY to the places he’d already researched–but OH WAIT, HE DIDN’T DO THAT; THEREFORE, THERE’S NOTHING TO DO IN DOMINICA, wah wah wah! :cry: :lol:

      • Dominican
        March 30, 2015

        Govt should take note. More satisfied visitors typically equals more $$$$ that comes to the country, and that’s how one keeps score. Just like anywhere else in the world, one makes a choice to come to DA or go to a fun park. Personally, I would rather people come to DA and spend their $$$$; instead of going elsewhere in the region because DA develops a reputation of not having its act together.

      • omg
        March 30, 2015

        nah, dominica is way too small and yes he could see it all in one day. The individual going to fun parks and waiting an hour, think of the thousands of people that go in and out of these parks each day. It’s not comparable. These places in the US generate lots of visitors, not even the two cruise ships could fill. Awah, come better than that.

      • omg
        March 30, 2015

        @peopleareHILARIOUS
        He has every right to express how he felt about his experience in dominica. That is his point of view. not because you disagree with his point of view that he is an idiot. You people are so judgmental, that’s why dominica will not move forward. It’s not the politicians that’s the problem, it’s the fools who put them in power. you people are so backwards. Let the man express his dominican experience. His experience may be different from someone else’s.

    • The Facts
      March 30, 2015

      The views of one person defer from another. This is what it all boils down to.

  67. way papa
    March 30, 2015

    The tourist should not be disappointed cause cruise ship days are always a tourist mess on any Island. That is why I am a stay over tourist instead os cruise.

    • omg
      March 30, 2015

      Totally untrue… cruise ship days are not always a mess on any island. I have gone on way too many cruises. Dominica is just backwards, end of story.

      • LawieBawie
        March 31, 2015

        I live in Anguilla and I am often next door in St.Marten on cruise ship days and it is a total mess on those days.

  68. watchdog
    March 30, 2015

    Hmmmmmm. If you read the comments you will notice that the writer said he got the notion that Dominica is a poor country from his tour guide, who kept saying that he, the tour guide, was poor. Well, if we have our tour guides telling the visitors they are poor etc etc, we have a deeper problem than we think!! Its deep rooted, and there is soooo much to be done I wonder whether the tourism officials even know what to do. Mr Robert Tonge, you better start getting your butt up and start to do something. Its not the status quo!!

  69. Pedro
    March 30, 2015

    There is not much attention to the tourism product period. We are a nice, welcoming people. Other than that we need to seriously think about quality of the experience. Starting with the first impression. The sheds selling souvenirs. Nuff said.

    The best sites are inaccessible. Not hearing anything about that. Middleham, Sari Sari, Victoria falls for example which could be much better attractions if they were accessible. It starts with a discussion and an intention. Our standards are too low, quite honestly. We cant afford to be too laid back on this.

    • TimTim
      March 30, 2015

      Well well said!

    • Ben Haynes PsyD
      March 30, 2015

      Well said Pedro, and what is said is an honest opinion, and such observation of this country is what it is. Yes, let me add, there is much to be done if as a country Dominica wants to be identified, recognized as a tourist stop. Other than that, the world is on the move, and Dominica better understand that. Ben Haynes PsyD.

    • March 30, 2015

      Well said, couldnt agrree more.

    • The Facts
      March 30, 2015

      It is the same with some comments.

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