On Monday 9th September, the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association will host its 50th Annual General meeting under the theme “Maintaining Competitiveness in a Changing Tourism Landscape”.
“This is a big Milestone for the association,” commented Mr. Kevin A Francis, Executive Vice President of the association. “We remain extremely grateful to our members and partners for continuing to work with us to help change and improve the tourism landscape on island. Our industry for these last 50 years has been carried by our authentic boutique hotels, but with the changing tourism landscape, more needs to be done in order to keep these boutique hotels operational and most of all competitive.”
Hon. Sen Robert Tonge will be presenting the keynote address at the associations open session from 5:30pm at Prevost Cinemall Ball Room on Monday 9th September. Two of the Association’s Past Presidents will also be recognized during the open session of the AGM. The awardees have been selected for being the early pioneers of the Association and for their continued support and contribution to the tourism industry in Dominica.
The president of the DHTA, Marvlyn Alexander James, agrees that our industry’s ability to stay competitive hinges on several factors that must be considered by the DHTA and Public sector partners. James stated that “In order for the sector to remain competitive we need to see improvements in existing plant specifically within our smaller boutique hotels, the adherence to international standards and the provision of quality products and services. She further stated that other factors that are critical to Dominica’s tourism industry success are the improvement of air access, increased awareness of the destination and the training of our people to take advantage of the opportunities that exist. The Executive Vice president Mr. Francis added that “All this work we have been able to do thus far, could not be done without the partnership and support of our corporate partners FLOW CW business, CGM Gallagher and Archipelago Trading”.
The Annual general meeting of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism association is carded for Monday September 9th at the Prevost Cinemall Ballroom. The members only closed session will begin at 4:00pm and registration for the open session begins at 5:30pm with a partner cocktail directly proceeding the event.
The Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association is a non-profit organization providing centralized and innovative information, advocacy, and leadership for the tourism industry in Dominica.
Madame President, Mr. Tonge will come with words of encouragement and it will sound good. I believe, in these trying times it is best that adults be frank with each other about the reality that faces us. Your hotels will not survive in this emerging “5 star hotel” landscape the DLP is pushing for. My best advice to you all is to register to become CBI agents. Do what is necessary to become “5 star” ready. That way at least the investment and the money remains in our country.