The government of Dominica is said to be seeking a company to manage the Morocco-funded Cabrits hotel project which officials said would be completed by October 2013.
Executive Director of the Invest Dominica Authority, Rhoda Joseph, told the Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit in downtown Miami on Monday that the project is moving forward and a company is needed to manage the hotel.
Joseph said the property will include 58 rooms and 10 suites on a beachfront location in Portsmouth. It will also feature a conference facility for more than 100 people, a spa, a pool and restaurants.
The project has space for an additional 30 rooms on its 4.5-acre site, Joseph told the summit.
The project has been touted as a ‘generous gift’ from the government of Morroco to Dominica and during a site visit last year Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit vowed that it will be completed by October, 2013 and “not one day later.”
He said that when the hotel becomes fully operational at least 100 Dominicans will be employed full time.
Official groundbreaking took place in September 2011.
No price tag has been placed on the project but it has been described as ‘multi-million dollar.’
The site of the hotel is located between the Purple Turtle Beach and the Cabrits National Park.
But Bill you past right, But you already know how it is in Dominica especially in possey. People cannot have an educated conversation, they will laugh at you and even convince you that you have no idea of what you are talking about. It is just too difficult to get to Da and the crazy thing about it is that Dominica flat out beautiful. People choose to leave or stay, those who want to come back have every right to do so, it is just too expensive. Most people would prefer to come and chill out but go other places; a lot of money lost here!
first freedom build cabrits cruice ship berth then go and build roseau cruise ship berth. ccsb now a haven for roof bats just ask BA… lol
now labour build 53 room cabrits hotel project then they going to build 150 room roseau hotel project… lmao, unbelievable
Do you know how impossible it is to find a flight to Dominica using Orbitiz or kayak or any of the regularly available flight finding services from the US? I get for st lucia, grenada but Dominica and St. vincent Lord! Well St. Vincent will be in thing soon, so that leaves us in the dust. If I as a Dominican cannot find a flight to Dominica, how easy is it for someone else?
How do they process sewer in Portsmouth, is that stuff still going into the sea? Cannot have development without proper sewer disposal
It is indeed very sad that neither the Ministry of Tourism, Invest Dominica or Discover Dominica Authority did not have the good sense to advise the government properly.
You DO NOT build a hotel and then look for a management company – THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS!
Reputable hotel management chains require the hotel to be built to their specifications.
I cannot understand why Dominica continues to make such stupid mistakes? There are so many other places in the world that have this experience – in the advent of modern communication there is no excuse for this type of ignorance.
WHEN WILL THIS COUNTRY LEARN????????????
———–<Evolved,—
Don't worry !!!!.
This is not a "blue"
————–"Los Nomados Hotel" projekt.——-
–Do You remember ??
You shouldn’t blame the tourism authority or invest Dominica for what you see as a major mistake. The young PM went to get his hotel without any consultation and I doubt very much whether he would have welcomed any suggestions from anyone.
Dear Evolved,
please do not blame the institutions/organizations you mentioned above. Blame the govt. headed by PM Skerrit; they are the ONLY EXPERTS and listen to NO ONE
Opening in October and just now searcing for a management company? Management should have been in place a year ago to oversee details that will make operations smooth. As it is, the first year will be a struggle to correct oversights and deficiencies of the architects and politicians. Professional hotel management should be a part of the team as soon as ground is broken (or sooner)
For this hotel to be more recoqnize or more attractive in the future they should build a marina it will be huge revenue for Dominica.
There are plans for that. In fact those plans existed and exploratory work was done before there was any mention of this hotel. Ideal location indeed but I will not park my boat, never mind swim there in a hurry unless they explain what facilities are in place for the disposal of the hotel’s sewage and grey water. So far I have not heard a word about that. A state secret perhaps?
Ok.
So one side this project looks beautiful on paper, and has potential to at least up the ante on Dominican hotels.
On the other side:
1.It represents another attempt by government to create dependency on government.
2.You would also think that if the hotel was due to open this year that they would have had a management team in place already.
On that point, surely there are professionals in Dominica who could be employed (without bias) to manage a hotel. Is this going to be a Dominican thing managed by a non-Dominican. Does the government have no confidence in the people that they tax? Are we only good enough to clean the rooms and get the food?
3. Government should not be directly involved in private sector development because it undermines the efforts of local entrepreneurs. How? no one can compete with government and government has the power to impose taxes on us to keep their mistakes running.
4. Government should place their efforts on infrastructural development – international airport (its 2013..we need one), a real cruise ship port and not a jetty in Roseau, proper roads in our interior since that is our biggest asset, development of our national parks i.e proper tracks and paved roads where possible (tires are expensive in Dominica), restroom facilities, overall other aesthetic type of development.
5. Government should encourage private sector development through first of all staying out of the way and not directly competing with business people in Dominica, offering tax/import duty and other tax reduction incentives for all small businesses looking to jump off.
6. Government should reduce the tax burden on us. We can’t spend what we don’t have but government has their own ways of spending what they take from us.
7. Government should remove any and all barriers to open competition within the private sector.
8. Government should remove any individuals within its heirachy or cabinet who may have conflicts of interest between what is good for competitive business in Dominica and what is good for their own businesses.
You could not have chosen a better name, 2sides 2every thing.I will tell you what I mean.There is your opinion which you are entitled to,and yes, some of it is gibberish and there is The Government reasons for doing things which we are not privy to.
One of the criticism towards the Government that keeps coming up is the timing of finding a Management Team and you to have brought that up in your comment. That to me is irrelevant and not a good assessment regarding the success and failure of The Hotel.There nothing to substantiate that hiring a Management Team earlier is going to make a difference in the success or failure of the Hotel.The important thing is finding the correct Management Team and I assume that is what the biding process will achieve.You are also making assumptions regarding people going to be employed at the Hotel,which is so cliche why make these assumptions, why can you wait and see.What is all that gibberish and contradiction your making in statements, #3 an# 5.The craziest of all your statements is #7, isn’t that what the Multinational Corporations love,no rules, no regulations to do what they want in the name of creating competition, look at the so called North American Free Trade see where all the jobs went, have you not seem what happened in Bangladesh last week.
Why can we not just sit back relax see what happens and transpire,when this Hotel project is finished.I must say the Moroccan Government acted quickly and honored their commitment.Why can we not be thankful and stop the silly Political Partisan that is so pervasive eating us up.
I would advise the minister of tourism to visit Paradise Island in the Bahamas to get ideas on incorporating a marina, restaurants and shopping into a profitable resort.
I believe that this is a golden opportunity for persons with the capital, especially the Diasporans, to invest. I have always read of persons crying that Chinese and other foreigners are taking over Dominica. Well, this hotel is an opportunity for all. Time to put your money where your mouth is!
Oh Tom, in the land of the blind one-eye is king.
You are doing our P.M. a disservice by presenting things to him with such a myopic view that one day he’ll wake up and find that “the emperor hath no clothes” and blame you for not showing him things as they really are.
How is it an opportunity for all? With 40% occupancy on the island, foreclosures, ineffective tourist board, pathetic advertising budget, escalating operating costs, sub standard human resource pool and the list goes on?
There is a reason no heavyweight entity has invested in Dominica and by heavyweight I don;t mean big chains. I just mean globally recognized. Only mom and pop set ups and a few brave locals. 50 years now. And you are calling that Morocco hotel, built to god knows what specifications, an opportunity?
DIASPORA keep your hard earned savings in your bank!
that not so hard to find people, they can give it to those coolslatigue with de restaurant or fast company…..
Are these the same people, who run that eating [place at the airport, which passes for a restaurant? Last time I asked them for their fish burger they wanted to give me a hamburger with canned tuna on top. Malgraysa!
All this negative comments from some stupid Dominicans but yet the same set of stupid people want to know what happen to the 5 star hotel up Layou, If the One from the Moroccans will not prosper why should the one Layou.
Some dumb rear-ends some of you are
Do is a problem, don’t do is still a problem, my people are so confusing, you just don’t know how to please them.
I applaud Government’s efforts to attract Hotel Management Companies for the Cabrits Hotel Project. However, we must consider that these companies look at several factors when deciding on taking on the management of a hotel, especially a new hotel in a not well known destination, including:
1. Reliable, consistent, and, affordable air access (Currently the cost of air travel to Dominica is probably the highest in the region and air access to Dominica is still an issue plagued with extensive layovers from many North and South American cities, Europe and even some Caribbean countries)
2. Trained and or trainable “customer-focused” workers (The availability of trained hotel workers for the existing hotel plant in Dominica is a major concern, while the Dominica State College has sought to address that, the lack of sufficiently trained customer oriented industry workers particularly housekeeping, food and beverage, customer service, and, maintenance workers remains a challenge)
3. Hotel size and facilities (Generally by Caribbean standards 58 rooms and suites is considered a small hotel, and the lack of mention by the government officials of nightlife and gaming/casino facilities, duty free shopping, and, events and concierge facilities and services, at such a new property does not make the hotel either attractive nor competitive. This is very important for most hotel management companies and a critical condition for incentive tour operators)
4. Poor destination marketing (the truth is Destination Dominica is not well and or adequately promoted in the tourism market place. The lack of consistent and focused marketing continues to negatively impact growth is stay over tourism arrivals)
5. High operating cost ( The high cost of doing business in Dominica is major concern for both local and foreign direct investors – electricity cost, water costs, cost of buying goods and services are very high in Dominica, despite the provision of fiscal incentives)
6. Low demand for the destination (The issue of poor destination marketing and other issues sited earlier; and cannot be understated and justifies our low stay over arrival figures – in 2012 our total stay over arrivals was approximately 79,000. However, interestingly despite having all the natural attributes to make it a high demand destination, Destination Dominica has not been able to make any significant breakthroughs in the Regional and/or Global travel industry).
The above factors will make it very challenging to attract any hotel management companies to consider the Cabrits hotel project.
Government should instead target potential hotel management companies that focus on niche markets like the dive market, nature and hiking markets, weddings and honeymoon market, and yachting/ mega yacht market.
The Northwest of the island have vast untouched dive sites and the hotel could be managed as a dive hotel.
The Waitukubuli National Trail ends at Cabrits and therefore the hotel could be promoted for that segment of the travel market. The Spa would be promoted to potential hikers as the place to end the 14 segment hike offering a wide range of wellness services and products.
Destination Dominica is still not doing well in the wedding and honeymoon industry, the northwest is ripe for that niche market. The hotel and attractions like Indian River, Fort Shirley and Secret beach among others could be packaged for that purpose.
The yachting/mega yacht market could be targeted and various passenger services could be provided as part of a package for passengers preferring to spend a night on shore.
There are also a number of Caribbean based hotel management companies that may be considered and/or targeted to manage the Cabrits Hotel Project, example SANDALS RESORTS or MARLEY RESORTS, both Jamaican hotel operators. However, Honorable Prime Minister and/or Honorable Minister for Tourism may both need to intervene with negotiations in this regard.
My opinion.
But Bill sounds like you should head up d campaign man for d new management,,,
But Betta-yet why you doh juss take on d task nuh if you already know exactly what to do and who to link up wiff,,,
Well said!
DNO I thought you wanted brevity from bloggers. Bill great contribution however I suggest that you post your extended contribution as an article.
This is a brilliant article. We’re suffering from a chicken and egg question in Dominica with regards to our overall toruism sector. Current and future investments in Dominica will not be successful unless we improve air access into the island.
It is cost prohibitive to fly in and out of Dominica because of the airport. If we could upgrade Melville Hall or build a new airport capable of accommodating narrow body jets with at least 160 seat capacity, we could begin to see some improvement with ovrall stay-over tourists.
Unless this is done, the future for tourism on the island remains bleak.
Improvements and upgrades to our road network is a welcome and important component. However, we must move beyond the window-dressing approach to realize real sustained growth and improvement in this sector.
Boy o Boy, what a golden opportunity for investors and investments.
You have a completed hotel, all you need is a marketing scheme, some key differentiators and you can have family type tourist stay in Dominca at average price (70 USD/day. You don’t have to pay back for the initial ivestment of the hotel, all you have to do is run the thing , employ a few folks and make money
We are very risk adverse in DA and we will get no where fast with this mentality.
IPO, a management contract for the new hotel in Portsmouth is not restricted to Dominican nationals or operators. It is open to nationals and foreigners alike. If you want details I’m sure Invest Dominica will be happy to oblige.
If DNO post a story saying “Breaking news: the sky is blue”, I can bet some people will find a way to put a negative spin on it and blame the government.
I have never encountered so much negativity in my life. I tell me children all the time, when you make something a habit, it stays with you. Habits are hard to break”.
I look forward to the completion of this major tourism project. I hope it will help fill the half empty planes and result in an increase in tourist arrivals which then of course, justifies a bigger airport. I look forward to the employment of the 100 persons as well.
We have to make up our minds. If it is good say it is good. Election coming up. If UWP wins and then one day, DNO publishes “Breaking news: the sky is blue”, will it suddenly be something good?
Be careful, Too Hard Too Long, a lot of the negative comments that you see here are coming from essentially the same band of people who post under different handles. The intent is to create the perception in some readers that the majority of Dominicans are as hostile to the development of the island and to the DLP government. So, do not be perturbed by the negative comments because they are a calculated campaign of mischief-making and propaganda; the UWPwee’s preferred strategy to win a general election.
Right! Because this Government is doing an outstanding job in building an environment in which our economy is flourishing!!!!!
Jobs like crazy. wages increases. investors pouring in. Declining crime. Increasing agricultural export. Plethora of opportunty for our youth. Food prices declining. Goodness our bounty is just so plentiful!
And at the heart of all ths bounty? the most honest mature smart and sensible Government. aaaaahhhhhh our cup runneth over here on the Nature Isle. Just ask GON Emmanuel!!! He will vouch for the responsible and dedicated manner in which Skerrit has pursued finding the man who tried to kill him.
Dont know which is worse sychophants or pedophiles.
Countdown to failure…
DNO where is the story from Barbados entitled
“Who Are the Local Partners in Cost-U-Less?”… With a total of 362 comments. I find it strange that a top story like that would be off the radar in just 11-12 days!!! Its not in your archives not for the month and certainly not for the week. Why has this piece been censored? Is this piece too slanderous or is it something else…. Something that Dominicans should not comment about!! Your actions seems to be in line with the new piece from Barbados entitled “A Case of Massaging News” from the same source DAVID, presently with 44 comments.
ADMIN: From since our inception we don’t keep any story, no matter how big, on the home page for more than two or three days. It is automatically archived after that period of time. If there is an update, then we publish another story. The story is there, you just not looking for it or you intend to create some form of mischief.
Be assured that White Elephants are definitely not on our list of endangered species.
Is stadium making any money? Wiil state palace make any money? Maybe we should have a zoo for white elephants. I’m sure that would make money.
its nice that people will be employed ,but employed doing what?whose going to be occupying he hotel
It’s nice to hear that one hundred people will be employed at this hotel, but at the same time I want to know if they are expecting visitors to occupy the rooms and if anything is being done to bring visitors and tourists to the island
Is government directly in the hotel business? Or are they looking for someone to lease and operate the property? Competing with the private sector? How about selling it?
I would hope some other development is coming to accompany this.
I am a citizen of Dominica. I was born here. It’s hard. More taxes everyday, salaries don’t increases, cost of living high.
One day i want a generous gift.
Am i the only one looking at this pic of the thing is supposed to look like upon completion??? Ugly, unattractive, old school kind of structure? is this what we are convinced will bring “so many” stay over tourists to the P/mouth area. opening in October and nothing is being put in place. May 7th and we only now looking for management? P/mouth in recent times has been saturated with crime and we opening in October 2013? what is being done to ensure prospective visitors that the surrounding areas are safe and visit-worthy?? what is the rush about? to me it makes more sense to go past the initial deadline even into next year but carefully iron out all creases.
Yeah I was thinking the same. Hopefully it looks better when it is complete.
I have 5 people that are willing to book. Who should we contact? We are coming from St. Croix.
good for Portsmouth and the north,but let us hope that tourists will be able to visit the nature isle and not be molested by vagrants.dominica is no exception to other countries vis a vis this problem,but the security needs beefing up.
**PLANNING IS IMPORTANT**
“The government of Dominica is said to be seeking a company to manage the Morocco-funded Cabrits hotel project………
Actually, this [the management of the hotel] should have already been organized long before the hotel was build.
The government should not even be in the hotel business [or own any private sector business] to begin with. Because too much politics will create problem for management.
-Thanks
What’s the marketing strategic agenda?
u serious?
u just want to post something?
How viable will that hotel be?
Where is the Marketing link?
What is there to do in that area?
Does Dominica have a Jet airstrip?
The rest of the Guest/Hotel chain in Dominica is Struggling?
Could this be another white elephant, with constant changing of management?
Does Dominica have leadership,in terms of direction,vision,focus goals and monitoring elements?
sometimes folks dislike the hard facts but these are key elements which Dominica is lacking at all sectors.
Why are you confusing your self.I say this because asking questions are not hard facts as you would want to believe. What is your point saying that sometimes folks dislike the hard facts when in fact you have not stated or given any facts to back up your your disapproval, all you are asking is a bunch of questions and this does not show me what Dominica is lacking.
You need to know what is a fact,a fact is something that has actually happened or something that can be verified or provable by observation.You have shown none of that in your comment.I’m not against you asking questions, it is your right to ask questions but to say that people will be offended by you for giving hard facts when in truth you have not stated any facts but only asking questions is erroneous.
And this is exactly why Govt needs a management company for the hotel
But we are in May and they are saying completion in October and up to now they don’t have a management company?!! WOW!!! Now THAT is what you call efficiency!!!!
All from last year they needed to start marketing that hotel and they should already have bookings for the new season!!!!
No management. No bookings. 40% occupancy on island. a totally inadequate and very embarassing advertising budget. Look a white elephant coming our way but all is not lost as the millions spent to build it are happily in a few bank accounts.
Let’s play a game and guess whose
If you know so much why don’t you send in your bid for the management of the Hotel. It is always easier to write something negative,which some of us take a pleasure in doing. Political Partisan sometimes can rob peoples mind from reason.
It is very sad when people like you make comments regarding lost millions in a few Bank accounts.You know it is not about let’s play a game and guess whose, I think it is more about mentality and thinking.
One doesnt have to know much to know that clearly the priority was building the hotel not the long term necessity of operations which is why up to now they dont have anybody and no marketing has been done.
One doesnt have to know much to know that in no business model is this approach good. In fact, in every business model, this apporach is taught as the worse possible way to go about investment.
So if one doesnt have to know much to know these basic facts, how much do you know?
Here we go with ths idiot Gary. You want to make a argument for the viability of the hotel yet you contine to caimthat we don’t need an international airport.
Alk about artisan bookie and call your name r handle Gary..
To Grandstand
What is it you are trying to say.As to the word Idiot you used to describe me, it says more about you than me.If you do not agree with someones point of view is this how you call them, hmm. and by the way where did you get the notion that I’m against the construction of an International Airport.When you don’t understand what you read you must not make assumptions to cover up you lack of understanding.
Did Skerrit increase the advertising budget at the tourist board? No point in flooding the market with additional room inventory when the island is already suffering from an alarming 40% occupancy and budget remains the same.
Lets see how serious these guys are or if it’s just more bobol. Although one does have to wonder what are these guys thinking when occupancy is 40% and they find the best thing to do with aid money is build a hotel?
Who built the hotel? Who are all the contractors on this project? How much did it cost to build? Has every penny been accounted for? hhhmmmmmm
This makes one wonder what Govt. have in mind developing yet another, 150 room hotel, known as Harbour View with Chinese interests in Roseau, opposite the port where the Public Works garage is now located.
It is inconceivable they would go ahead with such an investment, especially in today’s depressed economic climate, if they have no plans that have convinced them this hotel will enjoy a steady- and healthy occupancy rate. What is really going on?
I hope that this hotel succeed,without an int’l airport.let’s not be to quick to jump to cunclusion.’I wish u the best’.I guess he’ll borrow more money to build more hotels.would that put the country in futher debt,than the int’l airport.
hmmmm pram pram
Dorival John may want to convince us that the hotel is at this point viable particularly when the existing hotels are struggling to meet 40% occupancy.
As for me I have a ” build it and they will come ” mentality. Dorival however will conviniently tell us we don’t need an international airport because he must demonstrate to his political masters he ever lasting loyalty even if it means abject poverty and humiliation for the people of Dominica.
love u my brother,i would shake you hands.
u should send me your email address.
i too also have a build it and come mentality if you look at dubai years ago it was just a barren dessert not its the luxury capital of the world but also they had the money to do so,i think if we stop asking money for state house and other things that doesnt bring in capital we should focus on access and 5 star hotels
Big big difference btw Dubai and -Dominica, people flock to Dubai excellent food wine, entertainment shops etc etc. But it is not beautiful like dominica forget trying to copy Improve on what you have -clean the streets pick up.the rubbish, stop harrasing the tourists and first and foremost give them value for money.
I am marking the date on my calenda
This opportunity has been advertised for some time now. It is my understanding that any candidate would have to deposit a hefty fee and maybe commercial operators are wary of owner- interference in management decisions, which may not be strictly buisness orientated and put their investment at risk.
True dat. since before X-mas.
With so many investors scrambling to the other islands, I guess they are turned off by the many challenges facing our little island.
I’ve had an idea for Possy for a while but people want to charge so much rent. they rather their building rot away with no income than make $1000 a month. People want 2500 & 3000 and big bosses buy up surrounding land and lower middle class like me cannot afford to get two loans at once.
Magwasah
New hotel; NICE!
Now better access to Dominica for us in the Americas. Tickets are too expensive with this need to buy two ticets to Dca.
If nto an international airport, some kinda ferry system that is reliable and cheaper than an air ticket for the oher Caribbean stop over points.
I’m sick and tired of spending $1500 on a ticket to Dominica.
Then move back to Dominica and quit crying about high airfare. Lol most of you wlould cry if they hung you with a new rope.