Dominica welcomed its first cruise ship call for the 2024-2025 season today. Tour operators, vendors, and taxi men lined the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard as the Celebrity Summit dropped anchor and its passengers positioned themselves on deck to take a look at the Nature Isle.
“The launch of Dominica’s 2024-2025 cruise season marks a significant growth with 235 cruise calls expected, an 11 percent increase from the previous year,” Tourism Minister Denise Charles-Pemberton said. “Approximately 375,000 passengers are anticipated, a 22 percent rise from last season, 306,601 visitors.”
She said this year 12 ships including the MV AIDAbella and MV Majestic Princess will make inaugural visits.
“In preparations for this season, we have invested in enhancing service quality through our ‘Elevate Your Service’ training series, empowering over 187 service providers, including taxi operators, vendors, hair braiders, tour guides, security officers, and immigration officers,” Charles-Pemberton explained.
Meanwhile, she revealed that the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard has received a well-deserved upgrade with new pavements and curbs at the cost of approximately $2.7 million.
“The tourism product pillars will be beautifully portrayed by artwork along the Bayfront,” she stated.
Charles-Pemberton added, “Over $600,000 has been spent on upgrading major tourism sites.”
Importantly, she indicated that assessments have been conducted on the access roads to the Cabrits National Park.
“Materials are currently being sourced for rock revetment and road rehabilitation which will commence shortly,” she explained.
Charles-Pembeton added that restoration of the popular Dominica sign on the Bayfront which was damaged by Hurricane Beryl will be completed in December, mentioning key projects that are ongoing including the Cable Car Project to the Boiling Lake, upgrades to Champagne Beach, and the construction of a modern cruise terminal in two phases.
“The first phase…includes the extension of the pier in Roseau by 24 meters to commence at the end of this cruise season,” Charles-Pemberton revealed. “These initiatives highlight the progress this government is making to improve infrastructure and enhance guest experiences, aiming to strengthen our position as a sustainable tourism destination.”
She thanked the Minister for Public Works and staff, the Dominica Air and Seaport Authority (DASPA), Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), The Ministry of Tourism, and cruise stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring, “that we have a vibrant cruise season.”
How come it costs 2.7million to resurface the Bay Front, and less than a million to build a sea defense wall for Collihaut? The numbers don’t add up.
more.ships each with 500 passengers and how many purchasing anything?
stop the hot air. Too much too much, engaged in way in over you all’s head. improvements with millions laughable after how many years as minister.
The Prime Minister waste you all’s time. screwed you all over. All of you making pension.
I hope it is being checked that your Two years three years as minister are not full terms and you did not make pension.. GOOD you screw yourself over foolish.
if only people knew about the people who have not worked one day in their life.
Waste your time.
Of course, any little trickle to be pocketed by the vendors, taxi drivers, restaurateurs and government is helpful. However, there must be some creative ways to attract visitors to the island during the slow season.
In recent times, the tourism minister is frequently in the news touring all sorts of fantastic things happening into ministry. The people are beg fed with false hope. There is a surplus of talk but a serious deficit of action. We need plenty more action less talk.