The start of construction on a new ferry terminal in Roseau and other major developments in the tourism sector are among government’s plans for the year 2022.
It was revealed during a conversation with Denise Charles, Minister for Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives on Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s Annou Pale programme, that the new terminal is to allow for the birthing of bigger ships and to keep up with the worldwide advances made in the cruise industry.
On the show on Sunday night, Charles highlighted the importance of the industry to Dominica cruise int industry for Dominica as many livelihoods are dependent on cruise tourism stating that in the Dominica Labor Party (DLP) Dynamic Dominica Manifesto a commitment was made to the people of Dominica to renovate its cruise and cargo ports.
She noted that thus far, the resumption of the cruise visits has gone very well since July of 2021.
“We are currently reviewing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a particular developer and exploring our options so we can definitely deliver on that promise to the people of Dominica. Also included in that plan is to build a new ferry terminal in Roseau which will include shops to feature locally produced products,” Charles added.
The tourism minister stated that decisions are going well on the expansion of cruise ports and plans are being made to expand the pier in Roseau and different financing models for the expansion of the cruise port at Woodbridge bay are being looked at.
She believes these are key infrastructural projects for tourism and trade.
Charles further reported that the commencement of American Airlines flights into Dominica has already made a significant impact on airlift to Dominica by bringing in more passengers. Daily flights are set to begin this year.
“For example, in the month of December we welcomed a total of 2500 passengers At Douglas Charles airport of that number about 500 passengers, 20% of visitor arrivals Dominica in the month of December was on American Airlines direct service so additional the 500 passengers who came to Dominica may not have been able to come to the destination because of our limited seat capacity but because of this new service by American Airlines, [persons] could come to spend Christmas in Dominica,” she explained.
According to Charles, seat capacity increased by 532 in December. By January 1, 2022, it had increased to about 2800 and from April 2022, it will increase to 23,636.
“On December, 18 we received, 259 visitors to Dominica and so because of the direct service to Dominica we will see much more visitors on island so stakeholders are elected…and certainly more employment has been created especially in the accommodation sector,” the minister stated.
Charles said the commencement in 2022 of daily flights, not withstanding, work to increase air access to Dominica will continue.
“I think that the real crowning on the cake will be the construction of our International Airport which will allow us to receive flights from London, Dubai, China and really solve all our air access issues. We have to continue to push and promote the destination as the best place to visit in the bringing more influencers and promoting our destination for romance, aqua and Health and Wellness.”
The minister encouraged entrepreneurs, small business owners and anyone in the private sector to take advantage of these opportunities that these advances have created.
She added that the hotel sector currently holds of 652 rooms and with the commencement of building different resorts and projects on island it will increase to a 1100 room capacity.
Here we go again…did i miss something…i did not hear about the cruise village and canfield doc….bra ananicie again…just keep going…too much talk ….
Well, a multi-story parking lot, it have a nice big open lot next to the ministry…
What that girl know about tourism? a puppet dat
New cruise ship port … with a subpar tourism product .
Daily flights… with nothing to do once in Dominica.. Start from within and invest in creating something special. Apart from going to a few rivers, there is ZERO nightlife, nothing interesting to do and the only decent hotels on island charge luxury prices…. with no luxury … the idea of build it & they will come will not work here.
Are these politicians for real? Have they consulted with experts? Roseau has no more place for expansion. I would suggest they consider building a new capital some place more central and minimise the congestion in the capital.
The ” new airport” where they are destroying prime real estate beautiful land will become a white elephant, it will not be needed since it has been demonstrated that jet aircraft’s can make direct flights from Florida already. Money saved on this white elephant can be used at the current airport. Who in government is benefiting financially from this soon to be white elephant airport?
Yes smaller jets, but not larger ones, and not everyone can get visa to fly from or to USA, what about Europe? Who say they going to complete international airport anyways , lol wait and see eh
Agreed. Work on the current airports for proper utilization of ramp space, and with other airlines for better access to Dominica. Air Canada, Delta, JetBlue, and United have aircraft in their fleet that can safely, and comfortably fly into Dominica.
As for Canefield, utilize it as a prime cargo hub for the regional cargo airlines, and for small to medium business/private jets.
I guess transparency is not a high item on DLP agenda.
You talk of a particular developer……..no name!
Different financial models…..MOU?
Very little information!!!!
Expand “ferry terminal” to improve tourist arrivals?
Are you going to include de old baracoon building too?
Sounds like another election manifesto promise will not be fulfilled.
I don’t see the vision!!!!!
The urgency is to prevent passengers from queuing and standing for an hour to disembark and go through immigration control.
Also provide seats and tables to fill in forms
Stop treating passengers like cattle
All this sounds distinctly like massive pre-election propaganda. More of the same, words but NO action.
Beware of false prophets bringing gifts and promises.
I believe Roseau is too small, crowded and doesn’t have the proper infrastructure to have a ferry or cruise terminal. Why not look at surrounding islands and move all of this outside the capital? Imagine it would even get busier then it is now in town. Good to look at the future and development but also a great chance to improve.
Psst. Denise. The boat goes in the water. And the plane goes in the air.
so you reviewing an MOU with an unnamed developer?
even looking at different financial models?
that is why some of us will never trust DLP, Skerrit and his blind supporters
pie in de sky promises to a fool
clearly you sound like de election manifesto promise will not be fulfilled
i remember skerrit talking about a runway and a 40 foot container for de runway for de international airport……come next election dat may be de only fulfilled promise……a 40 foot container terminal
Roseau needs a multistory+ underground parking LOT to alleviate all that congestion
And water pumps to pump out all the water from the underground parking garage.
Roseau sits directly on the flood plane of the Roseau river and is subject to strong underground water flows.
Is a particular somebody planning to call a snap general election in Dominica sometime in 2022?
Stay tuned y’all.
Bla bla bla bla bla