Tourism Minister Ian Douglas is encouraging local hoteliers in Dominica to do all in their power to make Dominica the best tourism destination in the Caribbean.
Addressing the 40th Annual General Meeting of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association at the Fort Young Hotel on Monday night, Douglas said the tourism industry is the leading contributor to the Dominica economy today.
“Tourism contributed $243-million to the Dominican economy because in 1998, the banana industry only brought in $110-million. That is to show you the strength and the might and the growth potential of the tourism industry,” he explained.
Meantime Douglas said government has been working tirelessly to ensure all accommodations and properties are compliant with internationally recognized standards.
However he said there is still a ‘sore point” in the industry because only 27 percent of the hotel rooms on the island are certified. “I want to ask you to work with us because tourism is a competitive industry,” he said.
DA is lagging behind. Look at some of the other islands. We desparately need better infrastructure, hotels and Brand Dominica – come on PM Douglas catch up with the other islands. DA is beautiful but we are lagging behind and I know your government can do better.
Is that EC or US dollars?
Either way it is a lot of money – but where is it being spent? I personally cannot see any positive changes to improve facilities for tourists (apart from the Imperial Road) and would really have loved to see a cleaner Roseau at the top of the “to do” list.
If tourism contributed 243 Million EC$ last year, I now CANNOT understand why isn’t government seriously looking at Air Dominica’s project. With an annual cost under 1 M US$ / year , this means 1% of what tourism has brought. Isn’t 1% infrastructure expense affordable to boost tourism once for all ?
They can’t afford to buy a gallon of paint to make their hotel/s look better
The other day I was saying that we don’t have hotels in Dominica, and DNO didn’t post it. But i am saying it again..
A Sandals employs approx 400, has 7 restaurants and the cheapest room is u.s$411 per night per person.
Only 27% meet international standards because only 27% of the rooms are filled. Most room are empty because there isn’t enough stay-over tourist. Because you and your gov think tourism is the number of cruise ships and passengers on board, and quarter of the number of passengers don’t leave ship..
If you guys are the best Dominica can do? Its doomed…
I agree with Mr Douglas that the private sector need to seek ways for service and product enhancement. However business owners will only invest in enhancement and expansion when the business environment is accommodating. This is where Ian and his government must become humble and truly recognize that their administration has failed miserably in bringing tourism to the next level. The last time I ask a government official to point out what they have done to boost tourism that official told me that they built a reception booth at the Indian River. I had no choice but to halt the conversation.
It is very distasteful when grown men and women refuse to be accountable for their actions or inactions. This administration need to stop blaming the private sector for it’s obvious government failures. The feeder roads are bad they blame the farmers and also the opposition Parl rep. The complain about the sanitary conditions in Roseau and other tourism areas they blame truck drivers; Tourism fail to get on the Next Level they blame hoteliers and other people in the service industry. It is time to put up or shut up. The Melleville Hall “ DEPROVEMENT” has turned to be a disappointment many us expected. ASfter 11 years this administration is now talking about basic services that should have been in place I can only remain pessimistic abouit catching up to the level of competition in the region.
What is even more disheartening is the fact that the very same administration promoted Viva to tourism death to agriculture has done NOTYHING of significance to impact tourism. I am just Fed up of hearing this talk talk talk. We heard about the removal of the derelict vessels in Portsmouth – those right infront of the ministers bedroom and we still awaiting more talk.
Yes i agree the hotel in this country have allot to do cause the prices they charge for these room are crazy and when u get their it is so disappointing. But lets be real even if the hotel make this the best in the Caribbean and i hope they do work hard to do that. what is the minister and the government doing to make access to this country less stressful. Cause lets be honest people, its not easy coming to Dominica. with the price over night and then not even getting ur luggage when u get their.
So don’t ask the hotel to improve unless ur going to ask ur other Colleagues to make Dominica more accessible.
When is the next Cruise Ship coming
A point well taken, some of the cottages for rental are bare bones, and rats…..rats, and more rats, but are receiving top dollar.