DDA, DHTA welcome possible increase in marketing budget

Both Nassief (left) and Piper are welcoming a possible increase in the marketing budget for Dominica
Both Nassief (left) and Piper are welcoming a possible increase in the marketing budget for Dominica

The CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), Colin Piper and the President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) Gregor Nassief both say they are welcoming news of a possible increase in the budget for marketing the island.

Recently Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, announced that an increase in the island’s marketing budget is under consideration and the amount will be revealed when the national budget is presented in July.

The statement has been welcomed by tourism stakeholders who have been lobbying for an increase for years.

“We welcome the statement that the DDA may be getting an increase in marketing funds and it is something that we have lobbied for the past two to three years because we feel that it would benefit the destination,” Piper told Dominica News Online, while Nassief stated that “the DHTA is very encouraged by the indication.”

According to Skerrit, an increase of between $8-million and $12-million has been proposed.

“I cannot promise that I will get to the 12 (million dollars) now but certainly we will move closer to getting to that range which the DHTA and the Ministry of Tourism are asking for,” he said.

Piper said he believes that DDA has successfully convinced the government of the increase this year.

“I think this year we have been successful in convincing the government that the time is right for this increased marketing budget which again I look at as an investment in the tourism industry and hopefully will generate results,” he said.

He noted that the DDA has partnered with the DHTA and the two have pledged to work hand in hand in marketing the island.

According to Piper a study was conducted for the DDA’s Corporate Strategy and Action Plan, to determine what the figures of an increase marketing budget would be in order to compete against some of the destinations in the Caribbean and try to generate at least more returns.

He noted that the figure stood between $8-million and $12-million.

“It is more than we have gotten in the past and we will work with it the best that we can,” he continued, adding that in addition to air access; the marketing spend, the marketing effectiveness and guest experience have been identified as major issues that need focus.

He said addressing these issues would put Dominica in a better light.

“And the better light that we want is to see some increased visitation, increased numbers and it is also possible that even without increased numbers to increase the amount of revenue generated by visitors,” Piper noted.

Nassief was a bit more cautious saying that he will wait for the final budget presentation but an increase in market share is something that has been proposed in the past by the DHTA.

“This is something that we have been proposing for a while based on the fact that Dominica’s key challenge, we believe, is the fact that we are still virtually an unknown destination and marketing is a very key component of fixing that problem,” he said.

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26 Comments

  1. Mamazoo
    July 1, 2015

    You sing that song boys dinner will ensue. Salisbury people and farmers elsewhere an up to standard shipment of tear gas is in transit to Dominica

  2. Bod
    July 1, 2015

    Maybe you could use some of the extra cash to employ someone who actually has years of experience of global independent travel, hiking, scuba diving etc etc. Just a thought.

  3. Trevor Fabien
    July 1, 2015

    Marketing the country is not a bad thing, for sure , the marketing budget needs to increase but in terms of priorities, is that number one.

    Here is an example: IF you are trying to market yourself at a job interview, you will turn up looking extremely smart, smelling sweet from a bit of perfume, wear a nice haircut if you are a gentleman and will speak eloquently. You will not expect your impressive CV to do all the work for you then turn up scruffy and expect to get the job, will you? No.

    It is the same with this increase in the marketing budget. The best way to market Dominica is firstly to fix the place, fix stinky Roseau and Portsmouth, give tourist things to do on an evening, things to see and do, maintain the country to the highest standard, so when the tourist come they will be impressed and talk about Dominica and will want to return.. According to Plhillip Kotler( Principles of Marketing) It is cheaper to maintain old customers and 2 times as expensive to gain new one…

  4. Lobbying
    June 30, 2015

    It is very interesting to see how ppl with money penetrate organizations to put their agenda on the front burner however, the farmers without money & influence are unable to lobby government to do basic things like fix their feeder roads. Now, make no mistake that with additional money for marketing which is targeting increase tourist, more local produce will be needed; did anyone thing of how this will cause shortages in the local market & increase the price of agricultural produce? Or maybe the lobbyist figure they will import agricultural produce from markets outside of Dominica that is cheaper when purchased in bulk? While the linkage is clear such that tourism & agriculture are intertwined, some ppl seem to advocate for their piece of the pie & leaving the request for certain basic things which if not address can affect their business as was the case with the road blocks in Salisbury. Couldn’t their be a forum where all stake holders amalgamate their ideas & present them to…

  5. Anthony P. Ismael
    June 30, 2015

    No jet airport, no increase in tourism. The End….

  6. too late
    June 30, 2015

    Attention attention all salisbury farmers. I Know how you can get your roads fixed. Hold up placards saying ” I love my PM’ and ” Thank God for skerrit” and next week all you road fix. each man might even get some ply wood , toilet and a tablet .Follow Nassief’s lead just do what roosvelt wants.

  7. GrandBayrian
    June 30, 2015

    $8 – $12 Million for marketing Dominica? is this a joke or what? April fools joke in July. wow!

  8. Francisco Telemaque
    June 30, 2015

    Nassief, you and the Pie Piper, can become over elated with the increase in whatever amount of money you all got from where! Your brand of marketing will never have any effect on the tourist industry, since your marketing, and advertisement is limited to “Dominica!”

    Your marketing strategy should be to target North America, and the European continent! And even if you Nassief and the Pie Piper who went to St. Kitts to arrange to get help from St. Kitts to get more flights in and out of Dominica could break through into the North American and European market; you still have a major obstacle in your way!

    Even if you write the word Nature Island in the sky where every person on earth can see it; not having an International Airport in Dominica, you are simply wasting time talking!

    As usual though talking is second nature to our people, we talk fart, which result ain nothing!

  9. too late
    June 30, 2015

    Skerrit really know how to manipulate dem fellas there wee. just talk on skerrit behalf just condemn the salisbury protest and you get rewarded. Give this to skerrit he is good at this.

  10. Sparkles
    June 30, 2015

    Yet still you will continue to make some of Fort Young Staff Redundant, while your pocket full and their pockets empty.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      June 30, 2015

      Well, he has to let them go, if he is not making enough money to pay for their services.

      I like that guy, nevertheless, it is people like him who should pluck Skerrit’s heart out when he learnt that Skerrit allowed Gonzalez to come to Dominica and told him (Skerrit) Dominicans do not need an International Airport in the country.

      I am sure Nassief may have supported that idea.

      Nevertheless, while they took Ralph advise, Ralph Gonzalez went home to St. Vincent and build an International Airport in his country, for his people! Prior to that Ralph conspired with the Birds, in Antigua, while they were in power, to do whatever it took to prevent the building of an international airport in Dominica, because if we got one, Dominica will become the official Hub, and Antigua will loose that privilege.

      That is true all due to the fact that Dominica seems to located central in the Caribbean. We are in a strategic position that is why in World War II America, and Britain were…

  11. Malgraysa
    June 30, 2015

    I am all for increasing the budget for promoting our tourism but I do not think this should exclusivelycome from the Govt. I would like to see the industry match this effort at least.
    After all , they are the main beneficiaries, expecting to boost their profits through such spending.

    • Non Political
      June 30, 2015

      Well the farmers could do the same thing you are suggesting for the feeder roads its private as well.

      • %
        June 30, 2015

        How can the farmers contribute when the clowns who are ruling over this land have killed the agriculture industry. Salisbury farmers do not have feeder roads for 15 years now.

      • Titiwi
        June 30, 2015

        Well , public roads are govt. property and their maintenance their responsibility. Vehicle owners pay an annual road tax for that. The same can not be said of hotels.

  12. NKRUMAH KWAME
    June 30, 2015

    It would indeed be a good thing if the budget for the marketing of Dominica were to be increased as this, as well as the cry by the farmers in general, and those of Salisbury in particular have been calling for for more than five years approximately. Now Mr. Nassief, your statement on the situation in Salisbury last month would/could create the perception in the public view, that you are now being rewarded for “supporting Skerrit”. It is always prudent to consider the Law of Unintended Consequences!
    HOTEP

  13. Ayn Rand
    June 30, 2015

    Lol skerrit corrupt and wicked but he have all dem fellas by their nuts, they jump where ever he says :-| :-| :lol:

    • Titiwi
      June 30, 2015

      Have a pity. Some of them have no nuts left, they gone, the thread on their bolts stripped.

  14. Shameless
    June 30, 2015

    Thats good news but the DDA did not convince you all. Just be honest and say that you guys are trying to implement some of the ideas brought forth by Team Dominica during the election campaign. STOP lying Skerro and just tell the truth for crying out loud!

    Now Mr. Nassief, is that payment for famous press-release support against the citizens of Salisbury? We can fool some people some time but we can’t fool all the people all the time. I once had nothing but respect for you as a good, non-politically aligned citizen of the land but after the famous Salisbury press release I consider you selfish and suspect on matters of good governance. You now give new meaning to the phrase “wolf in sheep clothing”.

    I AM SALISBURY, ARE U? 8)
    Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted:

  15. The Hand
    June 30, 2015

    Set of money for you’ll to do nothing but increase your salary.

  16. Hummingbird
    June 30, 2015

    Hope you pass on some of that good news on the young people and give them employment, then it would be worth it.

  17. alas
    June 30, 2015

    Yawwwnnnnn

  18. Lang Mama
    June 30, 2015

    Farmers to welcome expired tear gas and M16 rounds in their A###.Selfish human being. You can smile Mr Nassief but the farmers must keep wiping tears die to expired tear gas or tears of sadness and deprivation.
    We can go to church everyday and sing for the bishop and priest “let there be peace on earth” but until we denounce injustice the part of the song that say “let it begin with me” is irrelevant to congregation and bishop,priest or pastor

  19. Zandoli
    June 30, 2015

    Really DNO?
    You are reporting the POSSIBLE increase in the marketing budget?

    There is also a possibility that they will build an international airport. It is also possible they will build a marina in Castle Bruce. It is possible they will repair all the feeder roads.

    Just because these things are possible does not make it news.

    When they increase the marketing budget report on it. Until then, these are jut pie in the sky stories.

  20. Shaka zulu
    June 30, 2015

    Is that the reward for making public comment on Salisbury protest? PM behaves like a mob boss. Scratch my back I will scratch yours. Just making an observation.!!! Kiss my ring and you will be rewarded. Smdh.

    • Peter Potter
      June 30, 2015

      That is exactly what it is!

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