Owner and Managing Director of L’Express Des Isles, Roland Bellemare, has revealed that there has been a decline in the number of passengers transported in and out of Dominica between 2012 and 2015.
He blamed the exchange rate between the EC dollar and the Euro, the decrease of revenue in the population, the ‘uberisation’ of travel and the lack of new tourist attractions in Dominica as the main factors for the decrease.
“In 2015, we have carried 74,411 passengers in and out of Dominica. That is -5.9% compared to 2012. That was out peak year, when we carried over 79,000 passengers… Since 2012, our figures are going down year after year. 2013 compared to 2012, -3.3%; 2014 compared to 2013, -0.8%; 2015 compared to 2014, -1.9%,” he noted, at a press conference on Monday.
He stated that although the exchange rate for Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollars and the Euro contributed to the decrease, it is not a particularly challenging factor.
“The figures are going down, and, as a carrier, we must understand why,” Bellemare said. “The exchange rate between the EC dollar and the Euro is, in fact, not really a challenging thing, in the way that when the Euro is strong, Guadeloupe and Martiniquans visit Dominica more, as coming here for a weekend is cheaper. When the EC dollar is high, compared to the Euro that is low, Dominicans go more for shopping in either Guadeloupe [or] Martinique. So, it’s always quite balancing.”
A more crucial factor, he said, is “the decrease of revenue of the population.”
“That will impact particularly the French West Indies, where, due to the financial situation of France… there’s a real challenging situation where people will get less money,” he noted.
Bellemare underscored what he described as ‘uberisation’ for the decrease in the company’s passengers.
“Uberisation is the fact that people go straight from customer to producer, and they avoid the intermittent…” he explained. “For example, when our vessel is full, between Guadeloupe and Dominica, customers buy a ticket with L’Express Des Isles to travel from Guadeloupe to Marie-Galante, and then, they organize with a fisherman for transfer between Marie-Galante and Dominica, and back. With all the new technology, people organize themselves to share the cost.”
The lack of new tourist attractions in Dominica was also named as a factor.
Thus, Bellmare explained, that in order to remain relevant and to increase the number of passengers, amendments and initiatives will be put in place.
“If we want to last, we must have fares that can compete with this new type of offers,” he stated. “We will, first of all, be more present on the market. That means that we have to increase the number of calls that we have weekly in Dominica; and, that will be effective from April 15… We have to offer the lowest fare possible. Keep in mind that our fares have not increased since 2008… And, we have to look at any opportunity to increase our market.”
Additionally, Bellemare announced that new policies are being developed for customers arriving by plane from Europe to Guadeloupe and Martinique, to ensure that they will be more quickly and easily transported to the port.
“Up to now, all passengers arriving from Europe, in Guadeloupe or Martinique, and connecting to Dominica, are using the plane. We are organizing ourselves so that they can use the boat to reach Dominica,” he divulged. “Presently with Air Caraibes, L’Express Des Isles has signed an agreement in Guadeloupe, that all those passengers arriving from France mainland, landing in Guadeloupe to go on to Marie-Galante, using the ferry, there is a dedicated shuttle carrying them from the airport to the port, in twenty-five (25) minutes. In Martinique, they will launch in July this year, what we call the TCSP, and this is a dedicated bus that is using a dedicated road, where there is no traffic jam, that will link the airport direct to the port, in about 30 minutes.”
Express could make lots of revenue if catering to north american flyers reaching the Caribbean in evening to be transported to Dominica ….but again omg….the custom needs a drastic over haul…their attitudes and lack of service is worse than airport…..stuck between a rock and a hard place….no win situation in DA
Dominica do not have any place for a tourist to enjoy themselves during the night.Tourist can go to the beach or site seeing during the day but during the night there is nothing to offer..Crimes are on the rise ,foreigners can read the news on line and people share what ever they know from person to person..there is no shop like many years ago selling something special ,remember by Trenie,Valentines,Astaphans,Annette St.Hilaire,etc these were shops with something to offer,no special jewel shops,there is volcano hot water wasting the gov’t could make a swimming pool for the public or build a hotel close to a volcano so that tourists or any one in the public can have some fun during the night,it is very annoying during the night in Dominica,cost of living is very high ,while the prices in the shops have gone up like rockets.What else do you expect ,lack of social festivities or activities at nights is the greatest problem that tourists faces in dominica..
Robert Anderson start the ball rolling.
People are learning how awful Dominica is. And how racist.
“Additionally, Bellemare announced that new policies are being developed for customers arriving by plane from Europe to Guadeloupe and Martinique, to ensure that they will be more quickly and easily transported to the port.”
This is the best news in the article, and I hope it’s not only arranged for visitors from Europe but those from North America as well.
As long as the gov’t is allowing someone to open a rusty galvanize night club ,which is a health and safety issue what do you expect? Dominica don’t have any thing at all for tourists nor dominicans who travel back home to visit to offer ,, if there was no sea nor rivers i think i would have ran infront of a vehicle when i am there..hahaha
I agree….north Americans ….america and Canada….to go to dominica with express
Sounds like a good plan. If I can get direct flight to Guadeloupe or Martinique and get the boat the same day to Dominica, I would prefer to take that route instead of overnighting in expensive hotels.
Concerns also go out to the residents of Dominica who also have to show proof of various documents such as confirmation of hotel stay and also cash when traveling to the neighboring French Islands, is this done to discourage Dominicans to go to the French Isles? Hence, ridership.
Sir we don’t really want visitors. We say we want but we don’t. You see that’s why beggars still roam to harass shoppers, that’s why the customer service is still not improved-something so simple that does not cost. Whitchurch too friendly? Thankfully there is Whitchurch because that is what is saving us. Nothing to do in the ‘city’, shopping is crap, city still laid out badly, sidewalks a problem, oh yes lots to improve. In the meantime what are people coming for?
They need competition. Why don’t we have a ferries owned and run by Dominicans. We have enough Dominicans at home and overseas to fund this as stock owners and run it for profit with good service. Come on lets do it.
American Eagle took off because the plane was always almost empty coming to Dominica. Dominicans should stop travling, coz soon there won’t be any means of coming back home; except on a broom stick if you sookooyie.
If Dominica so sweeeeeeet, why bother travel outside our paradise?
We are discriminating against our foreign guests and make them pay more for departure tax than the locals.
What is reasoning for that? Can anyone give a logical explanation please? Why charge it anyway if you want to welcome people to visit Dominica. By the way, are there washroom facilities for the public in the ferry arrival hall, I did not see any.
It’s worth it to get the hell out of Dominica.
Why do we make it so awkward for people to visit us, especially from the neigbouring French islands? Even as a Dominican citizen I am required to fill in a lengthy form and customs declaration coming back to my own country from, let’s say Guadeloupe. Then then they insist on stamping my passport. Why, if I am returning back to my own country? They don’t have that for French or European citizens in Martinique or Guadeloupe. When asked, the immigration officers here tell me:”well that is the law” and I say to myself,that that law is an ass. …and all the while there is no a.c. in that place.
If France can have easier regulations, why can’t we? And why must we ask our visitors, whom we are supposed to welcome, to pay a departure tax that is higher than for our own citizens? No, that is not a small thing but like a kick in the teeth. Do we want to encourage visitors to our shores or not? We should make it easier, smoother, quicker and not more difficult. It is pissing people off.
We talk a good talk, but frankly we dont have a clue about what we do. We just keep doing the things we did 50 years ago without understanding why we do it.
Well said partner.
To go to Gwada you need have travel insurance and hotel reservation!
Actually it’s a money making racquet on the part of the govt. to further tax any goods that are brought back to DA.
The reason is probably how much the immigration lines suck upon arrival.
before you try to cry down Dominica think first about improving the quality of the service that you offer. the boat is never on time and some of the hostesses can be dry and harsh and you doh want people to take fishing boat
the cancelled creole festival has to be taken into account when noting a decrease. to say that your company has been here for the last 27 or so years and that you have seen no change in our tourism product is just crazy.
but we need to keep in mind that this is a business man. and his sole interest is in making money. this is the same business man who told whitchurch staff that they are too friendly with their customers because that is not the kind of service they give in the french islands (frankly french people don’t have a clue as to what customer service is). the foundation of this company was built on the backs of our hucksters bringing load to and from the french islands several times a week. today the company has eveolved completely ignoring the needs of these customers.he pretends to have our best interest at heart but i ask where was the compassion post Erika ??? when i saw people being charged 20 euro per pack of water.
Of course it is a business and you only survive in business by making a profit, so you can invest in improvements to stay competitive. You want it to be a charity like the red clinic and NEP and give people a lousy service that does nothing for our tourist industry?
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P.S. – Imbecilic dull fools.
My friend all your telling us,we are very aware,Dominica on a hold is on a decline,nothing is moving. Sad state smh.
i wonder how much of a role Erika played, especially with no Creole Festival.
Erika has nothing to do with the trend. The decline started way before Erika. Erika met us in our calamity.
Book your ticket on line, in Euros, from the comfort of your home but thdeparture tax should be included in that.
I have always been saying that. This is what the more developed countries do. And they don’t call it a ‘departure tax’.
Give it some other name. You cannot catch flies with vinegar.
maybe they are scared they won’t get there fair share if it is included in the ticket.
Can we have ferry please to take us the same day to Dominica when arriving In Martinique by plane? Thank you.
That is the same pattern and similar comments reported for the cruise ship arrivals. All these people can not be wrong. We can not stay in denial and must meet market requirements, trends and try be better than our competition in every aspect.
My prayers have been answered. I will now go to Europe, and even the U.S.A via the French islands an avoid all that hassle, particularly in Antigua. On top of that, it is cheaper. Too bad.
Less money in circulation in the French Islands,nothing to do with “no new tourist sites” that is idle talk.My friends in the french islands tell me that it is harder on their pockets to travel as freqyently as before.The exchange rate for the euro also is a factor.
I don’t know why you’re getting downvoted for saying this, when Bellemare says this himself in the article. Yes, Dominica could do more (build a golf course, develop night life, etc.) but that doesn’t mean we’re not also adversely affected by things we cannot control.
oh now allu want visitors after allu go an implement that visa restriction thing
Actually this is not correct. Dominican citizens can visit French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St, Maarten and Saint Barts for a 15 day stay without a visa. They can stay in France itself for 90 days, within a 180 day period in the Schengen area without the need for a visa.