PRESS RELEASE: Dominica’s pristine environment continues to shine as “the Nature Island” is recognized as the 2nd most “pure island,” in Islands Magazine’s April/May 2010 issue.
Out of the 10 islands honored for their natural beauty, Dominica was the only Caribbean island that was acknowledged. Dominica’s rippling waterfalls, freshwater lakes, the world’s second largest boiling lake and thick rainforests, give reason to why this island is known as “the Nature Island” of the Caribbean.
“It’s an honor to have placed second in the rankings of the most pure islands of the world, and we are grateful to those who voted us there,” commented Colin Piper, CEO/Director of Discover Dominica Authority. “Dominica has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to preserving and protecting the environment, and this recognition, and prestigious award reflects our diligence and motivates us here in Dominica to continue with our sustainable tourism initiatives and community programs.”
Islands considered and ranked the top 10 islands based on the destination’s efforts to preserve culture and ecology with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national parks and sustainable opportunities for responsible travelers. Islands top editors provided their research and insight from their firsthand knowledge and experiences, along with Sustainable Travel International, local tour operators and Islands readers.
Known as “the Nature Island” and located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, the independent nation of Dominica (pronounced “dom-in-eek-a”) is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands, encompassing an area of nearly 290 square miles. Of volcanic origins with mountains reaching heights of nearly 5,000 feet, rainforests that are considered among the last true oceanic rainforests in the world, more than 365 rivers, waterfalls the second largest Boiling Lake in the world and pristine coral reefs, Dominica’s natural diversity is truly unique. Dominica is also home to the last remaining settlement of Indigenous People of the Caribbean – The Carib Indians. A place where man and nature live in harmony, adventurers and nature lovers alike will revel in the Island’s eco-tourism options which include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking/trekking, whale, dolphin and bird watching, sailing and fishing.
Dominica continues to be recognized for its attributes and responsible tourism efforts, including being the first country in the world to receive Benchmarking designation from the prestigious eco-tourism organization Green Globe 21. National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destination ranked the island as the top sustainable island in the Caribbean and among the top ten in the world. Dominica was recognized by Islands Magazine and was included in its 2007 Blue List for being a leader in responsible tourism and ensuring an environmentally and culturally sound island for future generations. Travel + Leisure also announced Dominica as one of the most compelling destinations to visit in their 100 Greatest Trips 2008 edition.
Hail to Dominica They/We deserve it.
We truly need a bigger airport in Dominica to accommodate larger Planes.As to people keep mentioning that we need a International Airport is just two words that have scared Dominican for years.
Dominica is in no way able to accommodate what is truly a International Airport like say LAX or Miami Int.
International airport is an airport typically equipped with customs and immigration facilities to handle international flights to and from other countries. An most large Airports rely on one or more large Airline to make it there Home to keep the airport running and make money…So really we need a Nice large clean Airport that can accommodate any large plane size for now one runway will do..
Sadly, history has taught us that we don’t learn from history! Winners of such polls have ceased to exist as we knew them before the polls. Instead of congratulations, all I can offer is my deepest sympathy to the “winner”.
Along with the short-term benefits from the influx of wealthy tourists and investors, prepare for the inevitable raping of the environment, polluting of the water courses, increased crime and higher prices.
Those which once were natural and untouched dream destinations are now nightmares to visit.
Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. We all wish for the positive side of tourism but childishly ignore the diametric opposition between NATURE and TOURISM. The only reason that Dominica is now referred to as a Nature Island is because it has not been exploited by tourists.
In as much as I acknowledge the futility of opposition to evolution, I would like to encourage the local Dominican youth to engage in debates on “The effects of tourism on our Nature Island”.
One Love
Give an example of a previous winner of such a poll plz. Statements as such should always be backed with evidence.
Thanks.
man ! You is a big boom boom ! Shut up and go die somewhere … Old man
boss man since i born
dominica been known as the nature island. BOSSSSS doh tie up the scene..When it comes to beauty Dominica got that..i been to most of the islands in the region and i can say 4 a fact we beeeen known as the purest. Cause it on paper dont mean anyting we already knew that n that would never change. we too nice
We’re always on other people’s top list…so when can D/ca be on our own people’s top priority list..keep her internally clean because to cure a sickness it usually comes from within…Beauty is skin deep..!!!
CONGRATS Dominica. I love this country. And i will allway keep loving this country. I love you Dominica.
Brilliant!!!
Now all we have to do is learn and teach how to dispose of our garbage in and out of the city.
It is clear by this article that how we care for our environment can have significant impact on the way we are seen in the world, resulting in significant foreign exchange. That said, i really don’t think that our position in the world with regards to being the second most pure island in the world is as a result of our population on a whole trying to preserve of our country, but that Dominica is naturally very blessed in that regard. There are many people making the effort, but surely not enough. Can u imagine if the majority of our country was environment conscious. We would not only be in first place but we would be miles ahead of the pack. Therefore the question today is how do we get all Dominicans on board?
It most definitely needs leadership, Government involvement , and most importantly but not limited to LAW ENFORCEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done and we still have a very long way to go so let’s keep on pressing on and not focus on those who choose the artificial way, as that evidently isn’t what most tourist are looking for in a holiday.
I always knew it and know that we have so much to offer the world as an island destination.
Absolutely brilliant, if only our people could see what we have and appreciate it some more, instead of always presuming that what other people posess is automatically better than ours.
One thing is for sure, we need to brush up on our customer service skills and it is encouraging to note that authorities are finally taking drastic steps to drag us into the 21st century and beyond of how customer service in every aspect of life from top to bottom in Dominica aught to be. 3-cheers for that!
Let’s now make cleanliness, good hospitality (customer services) to all, not just visitors but everyone, respect for our environment – rivers, beaches, national parks, etc, our business and challenge those who are letting the side down, as that is the only way we will continue to soar on the global stage and make the world sit up on take notice.
‘NATURE ISLE’ – DOMINICA YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY FIRST LOVE AND I LOVE YOU!!!!!
Even with these accolades, we must not get complacent, people are still littering our roadsides. We still have a long way to go, to maintain our pristine environment we need to toughen up our environmental protection laws, particularly where major project developments are concerned. We need to do some serious environmental monitoring of the operations of many companies on island, because at the end of the day we have a reputation to uphold.
To the people and government of Dominica, all you need is an international airport or at least another airline to at least give American airlines some form of competition. Mostly all the flights from New York has to overnight in San Juan. I have a travel business and most of my clients refuse to go to Dominica because of the hassle via San Juan.
yea they need an international airport
CONGRATS to the Ministry of Tourism, hoteliers, environmental groups, taximen and women, vendors, police, cadets and every citizen for contributing to this high honor. We email links of such positive DNO articles to our friends and acquaintances all over the world and say, “Hey, that’s where I’m from!”
Great job people!
Sam Christian
Nice ….
GO DOMINICA!!!. MUCH DESERVED.
YEP!!! CONGRATS D/A!! I am always proud to hear that. I always promote my island wherever I go!! But it is for those who live on island to preserve the islands and those criminal elements should be dealt with severley for crimes against visitors!!!
It is very refreshing to come on D.N.O. and read positive news about our beloved Island and to to be reminded that we should appriciate what we have and do every thing within our powers to preserve it and not for one moment take it for granted which sadly some of us do so often some of us be little our country talk bad about our country to others who would kill to have what we have, sadly according to the saying” We never miss the water untill the well runs dry” typical of some Dominician who live in other parts of this world, like i am at present!. I see it all the time and those very presons are the ones who take it up their a…… and work slave labour to survive in the other country it is silly on our part to behave in that way when we know very well it`s just not the case. I also recognized that some of our people both here and abroad will do any thing to show off or impress others even if it entails doing the wrong thing. “For that i say “SHAME ON THOSE WHO ACT LIKE THAT”. like Claude weeks said last evening we must not forget that “WHAT GOES AROUND COMES ARROUND. LASTLY i am aware that certain positive topics do not get lots of feed back like those involving politics, gosip,or engage in puting down our fellow brothers and sisters. Wake up fellow Dominicans and smell the coffee before it`s too late. LIVE ANDLEARN”.
HEAR, HEAR AND I COULDN’T HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER MYSELF…………SO TRUE ON ALL COUNTS!
BLESSINGS.
Ye people, so proud to b Dominican, brothers and sisters lets come together and strive with one accord. Dominica belongs to us and we need to care it. I think we are going to the next level.
Proud and happy indeed. Such a recognition will bring tons of benefits to Dominica.
The challenge is: Since we have begun to distinguish ourselves as an eco-tourist distination, we must sustain that distinction by addressing oil refinery, asphalt plants, and other proposals that may eventually jeopardize our pristine environment.
How do you sustain nature by injecting chemical by-products in such a small and fragile ecosystem?
Congrats Dominica
Way to go! But let’s think about preserving it so we can keep that honor! Way to go Waitukubuli!!!
As a Dominican I am very proud of thie wonderful news but we still have work to do lets continue to clean up the Island from east to west and north to south it is our resposibility to keep DOMINICA at the top of the list.
great. still room for improvement though. we got to get d number one spot next time but still thats a great recognition
Happiness and Sunshine. Best wishes to Dominica.
cool!
Way to go DA!
Let’s continue to respect, preserve, and enjoy our lovely, Nature Island, while sharing it’s beauty and natural resources with those who appreciate it as much as we do.
Those kind of news makes me proud to be a Dominican. We need to capitalize on good news like this in marketing our country.
Ministry of Tourism, what are you people going to do about this piece of good news?
This is very good news for our beautiful island. We ought to be proud and try to unite as one people.
come on dominicans lets be proud of what we have.lets all continue to preseve our beautiflul island.
Let’s vigorously increase our recycle/go green efforts!! I giggle with satisfaction about this recognition.
now let us clean up our coast line so we really deserve this acclaim. I am so proud.