Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Claudia Bellot, has urged the citizenry to do all in their power to protect the country’s marine reserve.
Bellot made the plea during the start of an eight day annual Dive Fest which starts today July 5 and will continue until July 14.
“We must also be aware and we must sound the call, to all of our citizens that whatever practices that we engage in on land can significantly affect the health of our marine life and we must continue advocating and building awareness of sound environmental practices; particularly of solid waste management to protect and to preserve our reefs, and our underwater sea life,” she urged.
Bellot said that we must do what is necessary from our end in Dominica to attract more divers to the destination and give them the kind of experience that they are looking for.
She said air access still remains one of the main issues affecting the country’s tourism sector.
“Of course we are well aware that coming is the main issue for divers coming to Dominica, the issue of access and getting to Dominica in one day with all their diving gear with them. As you know Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has developed an access strategy last year and also held an access conference which brought together various stakeholders in the transport industry and we have been able to provide some funding to the (DDA) from the European Union (EU) Budget support funds specifically for access marketing in 2013 and beyond,” she stated.
Although she did not specify the amount, Bellot described the budget support to the DDA as “a further impetus to ensure that there is information available to the markets particularly to the dive sector on how to get to Dominica in the most direct route.”
“But of course we continue to work with the airlines in order to ensure the visitors get a very pleasant experience and they are not stuck outside of the island,” she pointed out.
This is the 20th year of Dive Fest and is being held under the theme “Celebrating 20 years”.
Speaking at the function, President of the Dominica Water Sports Association Simon Walsh said there are a few note worthy successes worth mentioning.
“We actually partnered with American eagle that is a milestone, we brought the mermaids in but they are not in this year. This year, we’ve reactivated jing ping ting, the football match. Another milestone we’ve had is when the Minister of Tourism became so vital to the Dive fest,” Walsh pointed out.
He also said that the association has, for 15 years, been attending Trade Shows.
Digicel the headline sponsor presented an EC$25,000 cheque to the Dominica’s Water Sports Association.
The 8 day event begins with a football match Friday night at the Newtown Savannah and the Festival will end on Sunday 14th with a beach party at the Soufriere beach.
Other activities include a Digicel Treasure Hunt, Happy hour, Discover Scuba and Beginner’s dive, Family Fun Day at Mero Beach, among others.
I often listen to people talk. But all that “noise” is just too much. ‘Clean up! the tourists are coming!”
It is exciting to have Dive Fest in Dominica. The environmental conditions, such as, on the coast line at Potters Ville where the neighbors throw garbage, feces, and dead animals in the water are discouraging. Adults stoop there to defecate daily. They ignore the tourist. There is no policing of the coastline. The laws are slack.
All them PS’s there need to stop talking all tht bs and do some work. Madme ps, whatp do u figure you know about the reserve you want to protect. Go n do ur homework. And ur husband say public servants not productive, lady it starts with.
Dive fest means different things to different people, but if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like too scuba dive, there is no swimming required. Give it a go. It’s not just for tourists.