A yachting symposium to critically look at Dominica’s yachting sector and to discuss how it can be further developed was staged on Wednesday 29th May, 2013 as part of activities marking “Tourism Awareness Month”.
The symposium which took place at the Public Service Training Centre (PSTC) in Roseau brought together a number of stakeholders in the yachting industry.
Tourism Minister, Ian Douglas, during an interview with the Government Information Service (GIS) confirmed that the island’s yachting industry has made significant strides in recent years and Government continues to put in place the enabling environment to see continued development of the sector.
The minister disclosed that a proposed Marina Development in the North of the island is one of the key plans of Government to enhance the yachting sector.
“It is the vision of Government to continue to grow the industry and we have been saying for decades that the Cabrits area hold so much potential. This Government is actually making that dream a reality by constructing the Cabrits Hotel and Spa with the help of the Moroccan Government,” informed Minister Douglas.
The Minister continued that it’s the Government’s intention to fully explore the potential of the proposed Marina Development.
“We intend to go further with that by looking at the whole aspect of a Marina Development at the Cabrits so that we ourselves can grow the yachting sector and that is the vision of the Ministry of Tourism and the Government of Dominica, to the point where we can expand our market share to allow us to become one of the leading yachting destinations in the Caribbean,” the Minister said.
Hubert Winston, Managing Director of Dominica Marine Cente,r delivered a presentation at Wednesday’s symposium on the potential opportunities within the yachting sector.
In an interview with GIS he said efforts are continuing to ensure that Dominica is not left behind in that sector.
“The focus really is actually the yachting sector in Dominica, where we are, what we are missing and basically what we need to do to get to that other point. There are many opportunities in the yachting sector and we want to ensure that we do not leave any stone unturned,” Winston stated.
Winston noted that marketing is critical if the sector is to move forward.
“We have to target the market and do a good job of it because our competitors are moving full steam ahead and we do not want to be left behind in that sector because basically it’s an open water sector, so we feel we can do also as good as them to bring in the targets that we are trying to attract,” he said.
Winston cited that the yachting industry has tremendous potential and locals should seek to tap into the many opportunities.
“There are so many opportunities in the industry. For example skilled personnel for painting, marine works, engine works, vanishers, sail makers, captains, crews just name it. There are so many aspects of this industry that would be of benefit to us. In my presentation earlier, I sought to identify the many opportunities which exist that Dominicans can tap unto and gain employment,” revealed Winston.
Dominica’s yachting industry is primarily managed by the private sector with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Customs and Immigration, and the fisheries Division.
The Portsmouth Association of Yacht Security and the Dominica Marine Association are two examples of Associations currently providing professional stakeholder-based security initiatives for yachts in Dominica.
How many years we have been talking about marina in Portsmouth?Long before 2000. We are in 2013. Where, Indian River,Mang Ma Richard, Bawoh, Cabrits, Lagon, by the jetty? No news, talk shop, Pawol.
good night DA, RIP!
I visited Portsmouth a few weeks ago and what a beautiful town. I think a marina will add the icing on the cake. The people of Dominica need to take a proactive stance. Help the government in whatever ways you can. Stop complaining about everything. If they don’t do, you complain and if they are trying to do, you still complaining. Successful countries are a result of government and people. We had some friends who visited Dominica on a yacht and spoke about how unfriendly the people were. On most other islands they would greet them, and bring fresh fruits and bread etc. Dominicans just didn’t care. I was on the beach at Purple Turtle with a friend who is white, a young Dominican Lady on the beach made a comment “I hate white people”. What ignorance! Dominicans many people love your country and are willing to invest but not with that attitude. If the attitude doesn’t change, guess who will be on the losing end? St. Lucia, Barbadoes, Antigua etc. sounds good to me. Dominicans take heed, stop being so ignorant. Kudos to Mr. Douglas for the good job he is doing? He is Dominican. I would think that he has Dominica’s best interest at heart. Good Luck!
Thank you!!!
The government does have to build it. That is not the job of the government. This is a job for the private sector and seems as if there are no one in the private sector who wants to build it. It might take foreign investors to do so and maybe for our government to sort those interested individuals with favorable conditions.
The government needs to get involved in anything that will support the economy and help provide jobs. That’s the bottom line!
I said that, but it takes the people as well. Who will run it the government.
Foreign investors are not going to build it only to turn it over to the government here.
Why are architects not invited? who are the ones to create this vision into a tangible image! locals are just as creative, has the architects society, who speaks up for this sector?
Why don’t they tear down the fisheries complex and build a marina in its place. That’s nothing new in Dominica, Mamo tear down the stadium at canfield, and build the canefield airstrip, so skerro since she is your role model, follow into her foot step.
Dominica seems to be the country which does not want people to come nor leave. No Intl Airport, No marina whereas all other caribbean nation have these. That said I am 100% for the marina so stop proposing it and build it. I have spoken to a few people who visited Dominica while sailing the Caribbean and the problem they seem to have was not so much the lack of the identifiable marina but more so the problem finding parts and servicing of the boats while on island so we do not only think marina but we think all the marina needs.
Let’s build a marina.
Dominica is the only island in the Caribbean doesn’t have a marina.
My question why the government taken so long to build a marina, that real create a revenue for Dominica and it will attract yacht owners too visit our island.
The white Elephat fisheries complex should have been a yacht mariner but everything is upside down and inside out.