Tourism stakeholders have been told to use this summer as a time for introspection after the end of a not so profitable cruise season in Dominica.
The pull out of cruise ship Carnival Victory on November 2, 2010 is partly to be blamed for the losses suffered during the just ended season, Tourism Minister Ian Douglas has pointed out.
Speaking on a television program in light of tourism awareness month, he admitted deficiencies in the work of those in the cruise business contributed to Victory’s decision.
He highlighted the frequent altering of taxi and tour costs as one of the main issues.
“The competitive nature of the businesses increased, and then you start having price gouging, you start having under-cutting and that has been one of the salient factors that has affected the business of the ship itself. That’s one of the reasons we believe we have seen the fall-out and the loss of Carnival,” he said. “This year is the first time in perhaps the last 15 or 20 years we will not see a summer call into Dominica,”
He continued, “I honestly believe that if we do the things that are necessary to bring the product back up to where it used to be four or five years ago we will see the return of the Carnival Victory.”
All you anti-America, but all still want their Dollars! Hahahahahah! The joke is on you jokers! Maybe tourist, from Lybia, Venezula, Morocoo, Iran, China, and the rest of the ALBA countries will replace the Ameican Tourists? What do you think Ian?
lol
When you people stop taking all these trips with no results, then things will get better
One never misses the water till the well runs dry. Our government is always too reactive instead of being proactive. On two occassions while on vacation I visited the bayfront in Roseau, as I often do when I’m home. I was surprised to see how the tourists were been harrassed by partially clothed and dirty beggers who followed them for several yards; it must have been frightening for the visitors. I couldn’t believe there was no police officer or other security personnel present to prevent this from happening. I know we can’t have a police officer on every street, but this is the main area where the tourist gather and first immpressions means everything. At a time when employment is needed for many Dominicans, why doesn’t the government expand it’s tourism department and employ some young men and women to provide security to it’s guests. That would be a small investment considering what will happen if the flow of visitors to Dominica decreases any further. If tourists don’t feel safe, I don’t care how great the attractions, they will not want to visit. A little cleaning of the city would also go a long way. I love DA and want to see its peolpe do well.
I remember nuff labour supporters on CAkafete.com arguing against the importance of the international airport. some of you are now using different names on DNO but i hope you all will be man enough to accept the fact that u were wrong about this issue.
I will say it again . Without an iternational airport there will be no sustainable development in dominica and the real potential of our tourism product will never be exploited.
I am calling on you mr. Douglas to please make a call at the next sitting of paliarment , tell your prime minister that throughout the medium term an international airport should be made priority. You know you have the possie support even i ( anti labour) will rally behind you.
If the chinese do care about us then they will be willing and able to assist us even through a loan arrangement. The chineese just aprove 50 Million US for an upgrade of the v.c bird airport. The chineese more than understand the economic impact of the international airport .Even the Governor of the Central Bank is on record stating that we need one but for some reason when tony talk everyone follow. this is a project that will create sustainable jobs ( not like a road or sea defence wall where after the project complete workers home hoping when next they going to get a catch)
Remember we have $37 million dollars for the state house .
Oh and be man enough to admit that the expansion at melvin hall is a total waste off money. then again after the international airport is built we can lease melvinhall airport to chavez ( obama)for use as a army base.
The next thing is to send all large cargo boat coming to possie fondcole and the small ones cabrits and lets develop the longhouse put as the new tourist area for the docking of the cruise sheep . there has enough space to develop dutyfree shoping mall, Bars, movie theatre, craft market, casinos, restaurant , liquors shops, photo shops, …………..etc
The beaches are much closer here so guest have time to go to the beach and do some shoping .
There exist so much scope for development in dominica. Sometimes i wonder if you all really care .
“….one walks into the town of Roseau. ….It is impossible to conceive a more depressing sight.Everything seems to speak of desolation, apathy and ruin. |There is nothing, even in Jamaica so sad to look at as the town of Roseau”. This was written over 150 years ago by Anthony Trollope’ in his 1860 publication “The West Indies and the Spanish Main”.
At that time we were under British rule. How far have advanced under our own steam since then? We can do better and by now Roseau should be a jewel with pleasing architecture to behold, adequate sidewalks for visitors to stroll and enjoy the atmosphere free from the smell of stale urine and drains that make one feel faint. No cluttered , dilapidated lots and shacks huddling together pretending to be restaurants. What about some flower planting and trees that provide welcome shade? The town could be buzzing at night instead of fly-blown and all but deserted but for scurrying rats.
These guys are just lost. Now that everyone knows that the Chinese Retro fit projects are not unique to Dominica and that what the Chinese gave us is the same they gave to Antigua St Lucia Grenada St Vincent and many African nations what else can this government claim. One thing for sure is that a few DLL associated lawyers making easy money covering up corruption and lies. Some of the ministers became rich overnight. A melle ville hall airport fiasco and a stae mallice. Oh. More lies lies lies and more lies
It is sad that even when people publically question the mo of this administration it is viewed as anti government. I ,ve said that thee action of the cruise ship company was not due to fuel cost but due to our lack of proper accomodation. Was it coincidental that that two weeks prior to the annoucement of the cruse ship pull out that the mayor of roseau was claiming the city as the cleanest city in the caribbean. Was it coincidental that skerrit lash out at the truck drivers and dominicans at large to clean up.
The dlp was fortunate to have inherrited a foundation built by eugenia for cruise ship tourism. What did the dlp do to advance the cause _ zip nothing. Instead of focusing on what is important we listen to the lies of tony astaphan and the political abrasive scrub lennox linton. This government clearly has no vision. The china aid is not here to stay as we know it. Agriculture is dead and the geothermal venture is in the hands of a foreign entity. Our local businesses are shutting down while chinese businesses taking over.
Maybe it time to catch swat that vision that ian spoke about. The next level is here and what do we have
anyone can point out the problems, what are you doing to implement solutions?
One of my contribution is to high light the obvious problems and that is so because people like you anti Hate are way to bias or it maybe that there is too much crap all over your face due to kissing up action that you are too embarassed to call out those who are ineffective. You have been nothing but a redicule on this site.
Even an embicile would realize that Ian and company are just telling lies. The worse thing is there is no consistency in the lies. The reasonable person (that does not include you anti hate) would expect Ian to stick with excuse of fuel consumption. “Stick to itiveness” would at create the semblance of fortitude.But alas that is typical of people and entities that are really weak and lack perspective. What is really disturbing is the fact that Ian has now adopted Skerrit’s approach by blaming the little guy that is the grass root people.
Anti Hate the solution is clear the government must evaluate thier role in the debacle and stop blaming the people. The DLP has not proven themselves as effective administrators; they’ve destroyed our agricultural industry and the farmers therein; they failed to advance the our tourism industry i.e the failed Melle Ville Hall project – Night Landing circus.
What is your solution Anti Hate- we wait in anxiety for your contribution
thumbs up to your contribution
IAN DOUGLAS,
AS I HAVE OFTEN SAID THAT YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO YOUR COUNTRY, A DISGRACE TO YOUR PLACE OF BIRTH WHICH IS PORTSMOUTH, AND YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE DLP. WITH YOU BEING IN CHARGE OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY IN DOMINICA NO WONDER IT IS IN IT’S PRESENT STATE. AND THIS IS THE SAME STATE THAT EVERYTHING WHICH BEARS THE NAME DOUGLAS IN PORTSMOUTH IS IN. (A DILAPIDATED STATE) DO SKERRITT A FAVOR AND RESIGN SO THAT SOMEONE WHO IS BETTER EDUCATED AND HAS MORE PROFESSIONAL CLASS THAN YOU DO CAN STEP IN AND DO THE JOB PROPERLY.
LMAO!!!
when we disobey and ridicule our economic masters ,then these are the fruits we reap!!
All these accolades we see about Dominica as an eco-tourism destination almost on a weekly basis…We obviously have a world-class product.
Yet we just had a ‘non-profitable’ tourism season. Something is clearly wrong.
Maybe instead of all these court cases, daily propaganda and dirty politics long after an election we should be concentrating on getting our economy right? Embracing and maximizing our potential?
What is the objective of Dominican politicians and their sidekicks? Acquiring power or national development?
All timely and poignant questions if you ask me. I continue to lament the fact that, for some odd reason, Dominica and Dominicans seem unable to exploit our natural blessings for our common good. One reason – Dominicans seem obsessed with politics and politicking long after polling has ended. And the government in power contribute to this sorry state of affair, as there is hardly a time when ministers of government pass up the opportunity to take a swipe at their political opponents when speaking at some public event. They feed the divide and political bickering to no end. No wonder little energy is left for creative thinking about how best to harness Dominica’s natural endowment for the benefit of our country.
Agreed..it’s very sad not to mention frustrating…
THE ATTITUDE OF THE HOST TO THE GUEST IS SO IMPORTANT TO CREATE TRUST AND APPRECIATION. THIS IS WHAT WE MUST UNDERSTAND. OF COURSE WE HAVE A GOOD AND ORIGINAL PRODUCT, THE MINISTER IS RIGHT WITH THE FLUCTUATION IN PRICES AND THE AGRESSIVENESS IN IMPLEMENTING THOSE PRICES BY THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE VISITORS ON ISLAND CAN DETER A RETURN TO DOMINICA. THIS MAY BE THE POINTING CASE WITH THE CARNIVAL CRUISE LINERS.
AGAIN, WITH THE CONTINUOUS AND SOMETIMES NNECESSARY BAD/ADVERSE PUBLICITY IN OUR POLITICS WHICH IS READ AND NOTED GLOBALLY, WHEN IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE WORLD IS A GLOBAL VILLAGE, THEN WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?
THE NEXT TIME A CRUISE SHIP IS IN PORT, SPEND SOME TIME OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM NEAR THE BERTH AND NOTICE THE ANTICS OF SOME OF THE SERVICE PERSONEL
IT WILL BE GOOD TO KNOW HOW MANY PASSENGERS STAY ON THE SHIP IN PORT, MAY BE DUE TO PAST EXPERIENCES? .
Unless we tackle the root of the problem we will forever fall short in our endeavors to meet the basic standards or requirments that would allow us to compete. While we blame price gougers we must ask whether or not the government authorties responsible for tourism knew about the defencies and was anything done towards remediation.
As a dominican who happen to be a cruise with ton load of friends and coworkers I was embarassed at what we saw in roseau. To those
who will chastise me or think that I should shut up because I don’t reside in dominica ,I did everything I. Could to insure that our party of 15 would visit dominica during the selection process. That is more than enough reason to voice my opinion
The minister together with mayor, board of tourism must evalute ther own actions and if they are truly honest only then we can begin to make progress.
is it 4 or 5 years or 10 years ago. Lets not Continue to play politics with the facts. The DLP killed Agriculture and they buried the tourism industry.
Speak the truth, if you are a dominican, you will know that there has been a steady decline of agriculture starting with the DFP. Thats what wrong with us we never miss an oportunity to spread propaganda…
Whatever Ian…you should use the time for your own introspection. In fact I think you should be fired as Tourism minister. If you are the one managing this industry, and at the end of a financial year you are just bringing loses upon loses you need to be fired. If you were working for a private company you would have been fired long days. All of you guys are a waste of time. The turism industry and stakeholders are not aggresive enough. In so many parts of the world, people don’t even know about Dominica. Canada that is just dere, some places don’t know about Dominica. They continue to confuse it with Dominican Republic. These people are looking for a place they can hop on one plane and within a couple of hours are there. They don’t want to go island hoping in little planes, its a hastle. I don’t know why we think that we don’t need an international airport. I mean yes it may be expensive now, but eventually, with the airport comes more travellers cause you increased their ease of reaching the island.Secondly, the aircraft crew, pilots, air hostesses, they will all stay over and can bring back feedback to others. Investors will increase as with an international airport, we make it easier for people to reach their product. We must not just look at short term people. An international airport can bring much revenue and income to the island and will make Dominica more recognizable. Everybody knows Barbados, no matter what part of the world you go, we need that to be Dominica if we really want to talk of a viable Tourism Industry. And even after all that I have said, I still think Douglas should be fired..
what is Mr Douglas saying it wasn’t high fuel prices the cause carnival victory but self destruction by the taxi association and the ministry responsible for tourism