The Buy Dominica Christmas Shopping Days event at the Roseau Market on December 20th and 21st has been considered a resounding success and has been extended to Christmas Eve (Today).
The event, organized by the Dominica Manufacturer’s Association (DMA) and the Dominica Arts and Craft Producers Association (DACPA), is being extended to allow more consumers the opportunity to purchase products, and according to one of the organizers, “The products are for sale and no vendor should stop selling until all their products are sold.”
“A wide variety of Dominica’s manufactured and arts and craft products were exposed for sale at the market and customers were amazed at the high quality and wide range of products that are made in Dominica,” the organizer stated.
“Overall the sales can be considered average and the individual vendors would have realized different levels of sale, however the event introduced substantial possibilities for the marketing of local products and to increase the awareness of Dominican consumers of what is produced in Dominica,” he noted.
The section of the Roseau Market where Buy Dominica was held has been used only on Saturdays for the last 41 years and it appears that the DMA and DACPA have finally discovered a creative way of putting this valuable piece of real estate into reasonable use.
The biggest disappointment of the event, the organizers say, was the failure of the tourism authorities to ensure that the passengers on a cruise ship that was in port on Thursday visited the event. Fewer than 10 tourists were seen at the activity.
Another significant observation was the absence of all government officials at the event. No government minister graced the event with their presence.
The DMA and DACPA have indicated that the next Buy Dominica Shopping Spree will be on the Friday preceding the Carnival weekend, therefore patrons in the diaspora visiting for Carnival should take note.
to make anything like this, be it art & crafts, fete’s, carnival, etc successful the key is ADVERTISING. all over the island. not just a quick message here on DNO or on the radio. It needs flyers, posters, newpaper ads etc. The newspspers could help by having a what’s happening section. Large posters in shop windows etc. You got something happening ADVERTSE.
That’s a wonderfull idea and I hope the organising group adopt it it’s something local let us go all out to spread the word make sure i’t on ” thedomincans.net we have to help the local no one does, GOVT officials wouldnt promote the idea because the locals will make a little money so they can take care of their families amd they are against that. As for the tourists dont loose any sleep because their isnt much you can do about the situation just continue be proud of the work you a doing and the LORD will take it to the next level.
We are a very innovative, creative, artistic, vibrant and intelligent people. Many of us have been blessed just by the products we create, using our natural talents with the great help of our hands. Government officials should give their undivided attention and show the vendors that they are interested in their businesses. They should continue to give their support to encourage the entrepreneurs in their businesses. One must not lose his or her vision to start his or her own business either. We must also make the products reasonable so that we can continue to support each other.
Like the way it started. It will grow strong nothing like ‘too sho too flam!
Did you see the new book written by the Pope, stating that December 25 is not the birth of the Savior and Messiah? He stated that this date was adopted from the pagans who worshipped the reurn of the SUN after the winter solitice.
See jeremiah 10:2.
Dominica has a lot to offer this world. The government, businesses etc must do all it can to support those that produce goods. Any one of those tourists could have been someone who was able to promote Dominican goods far and wide throughout this world, so by not ensuring cruise ships are being properly informed of such events is a major failure. Not just to the people who work hard to produce such goods but also to people like me in England, who would happily buy Dominican goods.
great!! i was hoping they would!
Great Job DMA/DACPA!
This statement brings tears to my eye…. very sad
The biggest disappointment of the event, the organizers say, was the failure of the tourism authorities to ensure that the passengers on a cruise ship that was in port on Thursday visited the event. Fewer than 10 tourists were seen at the activity.
Dependency syndrome again!! Why was no one from the Craft Association taking the initiative by placing a few leaflets in the hands of the tour operators and bus drivers?
Always remember first and foremost that when you make money you make money for yourself first before you pay income taxes.
I am sure that government gave some of its staff members who is part of the Craft Association time off to sell their products!!