Fewer cruise ship calls for Dominica

Cruise ships anchored outside Roseau

Dominica’s tourism industry has been dealt a huge blow with news that Dominica will be receiving 37 fewer calls compared to last year, when the season reopens in October.

One hundred and ninety-eight cruise ships visited Dominica last year.

On Tuesday chairman of the Discover Dominica Authority, Benoit Badouille confirmed during a radio interview that the already struggling tourism industry would be facing a further blow with a decline in cruise ship calls to the island this year.

“Definitely there will be fewer calls this season than there was previously. You would also be cognizant of the fact that there is a global financial situation and that the various source markets are affected in Europe as well as in north America,” Bardouille said.

“The ships also have been doing some repositioning, so fewer ships will be coming to the Caribbean this coming season again because of the movement of vessels to locations other than the Caribbean,” he warned

According to Badouille, Dominica will not be the only island affected, “as a matter of fact the entire region will be affected by fewer calls this season,” he pointed out.

Badouille also singled out Princess Cruise Lines as one top cruise ships that will slashing calls to Dominica next season.

That discouraging news notwithstanding, the DDA chairman remains optimistic that the 2013/14 tourist will experience a turn-around and result in a better than projected outcome for the tourism industry.

 

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

138 Comments

  1. September 2, 2012

    Its such as you learn my thoughts! You appear to know a lot about this, such as you wrote the e book
    in it or something. I feel that you could do with a
    few percent to power the message house a little
    bit, but other than that, that is fantastic blog.
    A great read. I will certainly be back.

  2. Realist
    July 26, 2012

    The sad thing about this entire situation is that whilst the dominica ship of state is sinking in mid ocean, there are people on deck praising the captain and boasting how well he has painted the ship.

    In the meanwhile those who pointed out the iceberg are hounded as negative and anti-government.

  3. Rule
    July 26, 2012

    But the PM just reported an increase in Tourism! How can there be an increase when fewer ships visit?
    Just asking?????

  4. Nudibranch
    July 26, 2012

    Having just given LIAT $8 million, we need to sit at the table and have a serious discussion as to how they can up the game and become a proper carrier instead of the dregs to which they have aspired.
    It is a proven fact that cruise provides a fraction of our tourism income, something like $18 per cruise passenger and $1200 per stay over per day.
    Cruise ships are another form of slavery andhave systematically destroyed many islands cultures and economies over the past 3 decades.

    we do not need money spent to upgrade hotel rooms, we need to spend that same money in teaching how to be a gracious host, serve tables and drinks and take care of our clients. People do not come here to sit in hotel rooms, but if the service is above standard, even in a tent, they will return or recommend.
    The DSC course in hospitality produces too many chiefs and no indians, with the emphasis on how to book etc etc, we need more people in the industry, not behind a phone. Those who do graduate think it beneath them selves to serve a drink or wait a table.
    Once the standards of customer service are raised then any room is a delight to sleep in. This is (again), not a place where people come to sit in their rooms, there is too much to do on a one or two week holiday outdoors.

  5. ROSEAU VALLEY
    July 26, 2012

    LEN&AS, Peeping and Prof. could spin the facts as much as they can on Kairi and DNO but nothing will convince me and the silent majority that the government’s focus, its policies and priorities are well plced.

    We need an international standard airstrip for facilitating the landing of larger jet aircraft. PERIOD – no ifs or buts. Melville Hall has served us well for a long time. It has outlived its usefulness. It cannot be justified that we are the only Island in the OECS without an international airport. Any argument against or that fails to advance the need for an international airport is backward to its core.

    The Labour Party of today is demonstrating the same short sightedness of the Freedom Party in opposition in the 70’s, when the Patrick John Labour administration proposed the construction of the deep water harbour. The Freedom party criticized the project as being too big, unnecessary and ambitious.

    All the wastage of resources in improving Melville Hall Airport won’t be good enough, even with limited night landing capabilities. We must reject the simplistic argument about the financial viability of an international airport in Dominica. The value of an international airport to our socio-economic development cannot be assessed in the same way one would seek to determine the profitability/viability of a factory or a manufacturing plant over a 10-20 year period in the same way one cannot assess the need (rather the want) of a State palace. The benefits go beyond the balance sheet and extend to the pride of the nation and its people.

    Investment in an international airport was a high priority under the UWP and must remain a priority if we are to achieve economic progress and inject a sense of hope for future prosperity of the country. Anything less is unacceptable. This must be coupled with a more aggressive promotion of the Island and its natural resources. Ian Douglas needs to have an immediate tele-conference with his counterparts in the region like Hon. Ricky Skerrit, Minister of State for Tourism of St Kitts and his counterparts in St. Lucia who will advise him on how to increase cruise ship calls to Dominica amidst the “global crises.”

  6. Stryka
    July 25, 2012

    when we invest heavily in tourism n much tourist doh come my life is in danger and if they think am out of place tell them for me am only minding my damn business

  7. zengleden
    July 25, 2012

    And this is Development! Real Development! Those in Tourism so bright that they don’t have to look at antigua, Barbados and Neighbouring St Lucia to see how their Tourism product is tops! Tourism is so good in Dominica that they had no need to invest millions of dollars in the industry! Just drive around and you will see some lil project here and there – with a big sign post; EU and So forth! Maybe They can build a huge canoe to move up and down- from Portsmouth jetty to Roseau Jetty! People will see some action, and will shout out: Dominican tourist come to town!
    Those in Tourism real bright! They should all have a drink! And Dat is Development, Higher level! Dem madams and Misters dem real real bright!They to bright! They run the de industry right! They bright for spite- that is why the country facing this blight! You go hear them say: things happening things happening! Things will get better and better! They so so bright! They real bright because everything they other governments did was foolishness, its only they who running things right! They bright!

  8. ROSEAU VALLEY
    July 25, 2012

    Some of us may remember the thesis of Dr. Philbert Aaron in his 2011 New Chronicle article entitled “The Uncompromising Politics of Truth’, in which he chided the UWP and its supporters for speaking truth to power. Dr Aaron blamed the defeat of the UWP on its focus on what he referred to as politics of truth. He confidently warned that a Party that is focused on truth will be “stuck. Yes, stuck. Stuck with issues…and most people can only take the same noise for so long before they beat their heads into walls.”

    I have deliberately refrained from commenting on the recently concluded 2012/2013 budget debate but I am becoming tired of hearing the misplaced reference to the “global financial situation” like a stuck record. People are close to banging their heads into the Labour Party’s political wall of BS.

    Let just blame it on the “global financial situation.” Yes, let’s all sing the chorus of the theme song of the failed economic policies. Let’s sing with our blindfolds and earplugs fitted tightly:

    “It’s the global financial crisis…”
    It’s the global financial crisis
    It’s the burst of the housing bubble
    Forgive Labour’s inept management of the country
    And in particular our two main economic pillars agriculture and tourism…”

    But this is a fallacy. It is not true. The global economic crisis that affected Dominica began in the late 80’s. We lived through it in the 90’s. I refer to the devastating impact of the changes in the international trade regime under the policy direction of the WTO, the consequences of globalization, international trade liberalization and issues related to the unification of the EU.

    Dame Eugenia repeatedly warned us about this in the 80’s in her calls for diversification of our agricultural sector and the entire economy. She got the Taiwanese to assist us in that regard. Our economy was not to be dependent on international grant funding. We were on a path to economic growth under that basic economic model of enhancing our ability to fend for ourselves and to avoid the dependency on hand outs.

    The UWP managed the country through the worst of the negative impact of “the global crisis.” that affected Dominica. The UWP did not only keep the ship of state afloat with investment in agriculture and a thriving off-shore/financial sector but in four short years the UWP was setting a solid foundation for our future economic advancement.

    Everyone would admit that 4 years is insufficient to do anything significant in terms of the development of a country. The UWP was merely putting the foundation in place. Funds were borrowed for an International Airport (okay, perhaps not on ideal terms) but the intentions of the government were clear and noble. At that time we had lost our preferential access to the European banana market. Things were supposed to be hard. We had a genuine reason then to blame our problems on the changes in international trading arrangements but the UWP did not complain. The Party was busy doing something toupatou. This was our crisis and we successfully overcame the challenges amidst rumors of uncontrolled debt and alleged corruption. But –alas, just when the country was about to proceed along the path of sustainability under the UWP, the Labour Party came into office with a new narrow/single minded economic thrust of tourism development (through a $1 dollar minister) supplemented with a begging philosophy for grant funding and undisclosed national debt from friendly governments.

    We must understand that what is happening in the world today should not have impacted so heavily on our economic sustainability had we continued with the approach and focus of the UWP. The reality does not support the rhetoric of the government and its agents that the loss of cruise ship calls is directly linked to the poor “global situation” unless our sister Caribbean Islands of Martinique, St Lucia, St Kitts and St Maarten are impacted differently by the same global crisis-considering that they now report increasing cruise ship calls to their ports.

    Mr. Bardouille and others must accept the fact that Dominicans can no longer be fooled with such nonsense about the impact of the global financial situation in Europe and North America blah! blah! blah! And we are ready to bang our heads into a wall. In light of the alleged repositioning of ships, we note that cruise ship calls to other neighboring Islands are increasing while calls to Dominica are decreasing. Could you explain that sir? Oh! so Dominicans should feel better to know that we are not the only island affected? The fact is Dominica has wander off into an illusive world of dependency speaking tourism in lieu of developing what has sustained us for years and still has the potential to continue doing so, albeit we only speak tourism but do little to promote it.

    • Choice X
      July 26, 2012

      @ROSEAU VALLEY

      Well said sir!

    • gunman
      July 26, 2012

      roseau valley try to shorten your comment plz

      • ROSEAU VALLEY
        July 27, 2012

        I will try Gunman…..Thanx

    • carey tewari
      August 1, 2012

      True words…..much like Jamaica. They never listened to the great Michael Manley. He stressed self sufficiency, and urged Jamaica to turn to the agriculture and emphasize educated. But no!! they foolishly thought he was a communist, and now they are servants and slaves in their own country.

  9. Anonymous
    July 25, 2012

    what is the use of having 200 cruise ships visit our Island and they are not spending let 20 come and spend it good enough ………….i leave in Antigua and they talk about the boost in cruise ship arrivals but the venders a crying their shops are closing they are sending home workers every day cause the tourist not spending they just walk around and then back to the ship ………..let us turn our attention to something else stop crying down Dominica their are alot of things that we can do pls find good markets for our local produce and when exporting them take pride in doing so only the best should leave our country. God bless Dominica and all Dominicans

    • yep
      July 26, 2012

      yes but the government get a certain amount per head anyway!!!!

    • fact check
      July 26, 2012

      @anonymous. Living in Antigua of all places? lololol.

  10. blues
    July 25, 2012

    United kingdom is still taking all the bananas that we can produce ca meme.

  11. Realist
    July 25, 2012

    This Labour Govt. have been bold-facedly rude to America and Israel(land of the jews) yet they want to see their tourist come to D?ca.

    You cannot be cozy with America’s sworn enemies and expect them to reward you. in the meanwhile more tourist both cruise and stayover are flocking to neighboring St. Lucia, go figure.

  12. TRUE Da!
    July 25, 2012

    WHEN A LEADER HAS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE WILL PERISH!!BUT I PRAY THAT THE WISE MEN AND WOMEN OF Da WILL RISE UP AND TAKE OVER BEFORE WE GO THIS TERRIBLE PATH.
    I mean , how many sustainable industries have this DLP Administration created? How many non-Gov’t jobs have they been able to keep afloat? My people the main reason people from all over the world migrate is to improve their lives though better employemnt opportunities, (that’s why most Gov’t ministeres are sending their families overseas, while we remain and support them without even being able to challenge them in a question and answer sesseion.
    It is over time that we take back our country from these guys who tried something and it is clear now that they do not know what they are doing.
    And rememebr those are not the original people we voted for in 2000. Those guys now are opportunists.

  13. Lexy
    July 25, 2012

    Guess we need some brainstorming,for new tourism products to attract the crowd.

  14. Sunset Blvd
    July 25, 2012

    What ive Noticed about the General Culture in Dominica they have the “NORM” of thinking small afraid to DO BIG BUDGETS, unlike their Caribbean Neighbours who shoot “BIG AND AIM HIGHER”

    Those are Key factors which determine the direction and focus of a island in its development thrust!

    So when it comes to Tourism they Budget low, Market Low and whole outlook is always below Par!

  15. Tourism Consultant
    July 25, 2012

    I am not surprised by the continued decline in visitor arrivals and foreign exchange earnings from tourism. the tourism policies and strategies currently in force are a dismal failure… no jet airport means no long haul flights, means less competitive destination. poorly developed cruise facilities and activities means poor visibility of the country and lack of interest by cruise executives… dominica still has not learnt to market it self as a tourist destination… when those discover dominica and invest dominica tourist officials go out to market domininca they actually going to the market to SHOP FOR THEM SELVES to buy clothes,jewellery and groceries with all the perdiem government giving them.

    I am really ashamed of the image these discover and invest dominica official creating of dominica… i see very little hope for the future of tourism now or in the near future and it is time these officials stop blaming world economic decline and start doing their work… skerrit, if tourism is a major factor of growth, these people in invest dominica and discover dominica must be scrutinized they will let tourism fall down flat… and your party will pay heavy for it. already dominicans are complaining…

    • Aye Dominique
      July 25, 2012

      This has been my cry over and over, you are one smart person with some really good insight.

      I am giving Skerrit a break to clean these two organizations up or else I will make it my business to write a column every week in the newspaper exposing the ills that goes on in these two entities.

      These are tax payers money that is being wasted, used and misused. Who have SUV driving 24×7 on the poor people of Dominica backs and can show absolutely nothing for it. Travelling in and out of the country every other day and we have absolutely nothing to show for it.

      These are the highest paid workers in Dominica. They are receiving more money than medical doctors and some of them are more poorly trained than the secretaries at the Ministry. Those who do happen to have some degree can’t utilize it. It is a nasty shame to see so much crookedness happening at Invest Dominica and Discover Dominica, many of which Roosevelt Skerrit is very much aware of and he is doing absolutely nothing about it.

      Then they are hoping that tax payers continue to pay more taxes from less wages while tourism heading down south and investments have yet to see the light of day in Dominica.

      Many bright minds and talents have walked through these doors and the status quo made it so unbearable for them.

      Dominicans owe it to themselves and their children to demand accountability. I am hoping that the next group of people taking the reigns of office in Dominica will do Dominica one big favor by really restructuring these two nonsense piece of entities that have been nothing more but money suctions and if they decide to just disband these two entities, tax payers will feel a big relief on their backs because whatever that is being done by Discover Dominica, the staff of the Ministry of Tourism are well capable of doing over and beyond what is now being done and whatever if anything that is being done by Invest Dominica, the Minitry of Trade is well capable, above and beyond of handling these task.

      Dissolve these entities and give the hard working honest clerks of government headquarters a raise, they need that.

      Investment and tourism is not about clothes and shoes, the poor people of Dominica can’t feed their children off that. The board members must go, because a fish starts rotting from the head.

      They got some real crooked people sitting on boards making decisions for Dominicans. And these board members behave like the entities are generating their own money. I think what government has done with these two entities is so wrong. First of all it is wrong to make them statutory boards, they have no way of earning, every cent being spent comes from the public purse but the government has very little say in the affairs of these two organizations. Every meeting is a big party, food and catering like crazy,, and who is paying for that, tax payers. Discover makes absolutely nothing, and invest is worst. Where are these monies coming from to spend so lavishly?

      NDC was disbanded in the most cold and callous manner, a lot of tears flowed and one would have believed that all this maliciousness was done for a reason. Today what a shameful disgrace, absolutely nothing to show for all the big consultation fees that were paid all the nonsense that was done. This s what Dominica got for a dollar.

      I am watching still.

  16. concerned
    July 25, 2012

    i didnt see in the first place why we had to place soo much emphasis on tourism…im not saying tht its not an area we should have ventured to develop but we are an agriculture based country and instead of trying to bring it to a higher standard, we neglected it and tried to develop a new industry-tourism.Dominica could have been in a much better place if we hadnt strayed

  17. OK
    July 25, 2012

    Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) should assist (financial contribution) in conducting training for propective tour guides/security personnel to protect their communities, so that they will find better revenue opportunities within their communities.

    • INVIKS ME
      July 25, 2012

      DDA should not be a boys clubs but a place where qualified an independent people work, independent in the areas of managing and not putting and uneducated tourism minister in that field to bend the rules, or giving people like ivor a job to do his and his father bidding in the two years he remained there…
      then you have the biggest insult, that port board with so much boomboomfly supporters that cannot even manage the groceries in their own kitchen cupboard…
      that place is doomed unless skerrit stop that BS and let the qualified people work without interference

      • yep
        July 26, 2012

        very good point

  18. Smh
    July 25, 2012

    Sad but true..

  19. May
    July 25, 2012

    Hey people don’t forget the AERIAL TRAM that closed down. That was one of the main reasons why some tourists were coming. The goverment didnot see it fit to assist them financially. They even wanted the owners to withhold information from the employees. They wanted the owners to wait until the season was about to reopen to tell the employees that they didnot have a job. Thank God the owners had a conscience and told the employees before hand.

    • Massacre
      July 25, 2012

      Yes , Instead of giving LIAT the $8. Mil. the DLP should invest the money in the TRAM to keep all these people employed. But again the so called leaders have no vision.
      We have to vote them out !!

      • Malatete
        July 26, 2012

        Invest in the tram? When the owners saw that their sales to the cruise lines would not even cover their running costs they closed down. A financial input from govt. would not have changed that .
        The same company operates a tram in St. Lucia and will continue to do so ….as long as it is profitable.

  20. simply blessed
    July 25, 2012

    with every disappointment brings greater blessings. stop cursing your own country for mal. God is in control. Don’t give up, have a positive attitude and let us all rise to the next level letting God take the wheel.

    • July 25, 2012

      are you advocating that we should all sit on our asses and god will fix our problems???

      • Justice and Truth
        July 25, 2012

        @ kakalee

        And what are you doing?

    • Realist
      July 25, 2012

      @ simply blessed

      God has not called any man to be or act foolish. If the government leaders (and people by extension) are doing foolish things you don’t expect God to reward them – do you?

  21. Morihei Ueshiba
    July 25, 2012

    It is Skerrit Fault, he has no Vision! :wink:

    • INVIKS ME
      July 25, 2012

      de only thing he have is division, and go to hell, iots not allu damn business
      what a waste, boys with toys

  22. Kim
    July 25, 2012

    way papa. Dominica should have never strayed away from Agriculture.

    • Anonymous
      July 25, 2012

      Tell that to the $1 Dollar Minister.

  23. mysterious phantom
    July 25, 2012

    u too damn stupid. Because america say they rogue states that doesnt make them rogue. It takes a real damn criminal rogue state to drop a nucluer weapon on a city of hundreds of thousands of people and wipe them out in a second killing little children pregnant women and everybody else and america is the only country in the world that has ever done that. Twice they use nucluer bomb and plenty of countries all u calling rogue have nucluer power and they refuse to use them. So tell me if america not more rogue than anybody else in the world. Stop being america and england puppets and repeating everything all u hear them say and open all u eyes and think for all u self. Is the same stupid mistake our ancestors made y they ended up being slaves to the same america and england long ago. Y? Because we never think for ourselves

  24. McFee
    July 25, 2012

    You know when I read Bardouille’s is time we in Dominica rise up and call a spade a spade.. The fact of the matter is you have a minister of Tourism whose major acomplishment to date is having women fighting for him at the Festival, a Tourism Authority that offers nothing new to the Dominican people but big words with no substance or value, with chairman of this, director of this, and head of this who bring no value to the taxpayers for the enormous salaries and renumerations which they are paid…. I will not accept Bardouille words as gospel…infact I reject it….We live in an age when information is at our fingertips. Dominicans no longer go to school on Sundays….. Here is what other countries, with less human and natural resources than ours are doing and accomplishing with hard work http://www.stkittsscenicrailway.com/1/post/2012/05/new-royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-for-st-kitts-in-summer-2013.html

    WE WILL NOT BE FOOLED!!!! NO MORE

    • Anonymous
      July 25, 2012

      The announcement never said we were getting summer ships. He was being straight up with Dominicans and telling them what to expect. Are u aware what St. Kitts is offering the ships to visit. Would you offer the ships to pay them to come to Dominica.

  25. July 25, 2012

    The decline in the tourism industry is related to all the persons responsible for managing the sector, First bring back Ivor Nassief to fix the problem he created. Get rid of the Head of tourism. The tourism minister lives in the sky, he should also go. Govt must reexamine its foreign policy. Restructure again and again until you get it right. Right now it is not working.

  26. Meme Bet Mem Pwell!
    July 25, 2012

    I truly believe Dominica needs to re-vamp her Agricultural sector. It was a big mistake when we tried to jump into Tourism. Now what do we have to show for it???

    All around the world you are hearing that food shortage is growing day by day. Dominica needs re-vamp her live-stock production (beef, pork, chicken, even lamb. We’re too dependent on outside nations for our food.

    We have the fertile soil, we can do it.

  27. Pat
    July 25, 2012

    All-you too like to take things out of context and give them a gay slant. Number of Ships have been declining last year he made same prediction. Even before the 2 gay men started bogaring in broad daylight disrespecting Dominica’s public. Do thath in their oun country, not here!

  28. Me
    July 25, 2012

    Why does St. Lucia have an increas in cruise arrival this season and we have a decreas? hmmmm. That’s the next level.

  29. Bushmaninda
    July 25, 2012

    Given the “ fact the entire region will be affected by fewer calls this season,” what is the action to be taken by Dominica and who are to articulate the plans and develop the programs to take advantage of Dominica’s unique tourist offerings and competitive advantages. I am not willing to accept the excuse that it is “bad all over”. That is an excuse used by ineffective leaders/managers. I expect leaders to propose and direct solutions, not to wallow. I say fix it or step aside and let someone up to the challenge to come up with the solution. Stop whining, and get to the job of building our country

  30. Annon
    July 25, 2012

    My tourism friends in St.Thomas are feeling the same…less ships, (NOT JUST DOMINICA, the caribbean) while Dubai which is anti-gay and Muslim is seeing huge increase of tourism.

    “The ships also have been doing some repositioning, so fewer ships will be coming to the “CARIBBEAN” this coming season again because of the movement of vessels to locations other than the Caribbean,” he warned

    • Rastar-Marn
      July 25, 2012

      Thas not the reason why Dubai is seeing more Guests,,, Dubai is NEW and has Amenities that its guests will be always Busy That too will fall,,, people going to get tired of Dubai the same way they got tired of Athens Back in Ancient times and Las Vegas not to recently when they weren’t changing up things over there, thas why this day there is so much new construction in Vegas they always have to be changing up so people can see new attractions,,,

      You cannot just build hotels and expect people to come over and over for the same thing,,,

      I don’t care what all you will say but the only thing that makes these islands down here unique is the warm water,,,

      Allyou need to go back in the past and find out what made those Albinos come here,,, they came because the conditions here was conducive for agricultural activities no where in the world you can go where they can grow stuff all year round without any artificial enhancements,,,

      Allyou not getting it although our sister islands are showing allyou
      We need to Go back to the basics, order our sugar from Barbados start Growing our stuff again, revitalize Bello Industries Open up them Bottling plants Start back with our Coconut industry,,,

      Take over the excavation and mining from them private entities that there making millions,,, The Dominican CEO [Prime Minister] must have the concept of the regular CEO whom has the best interest of the Share Holders,,, The Citizens of Dominica,,,

  31. P
    July 25, 2012

    Is our mouth that is our problem. We talk too much and do too little. God bless the parrot on our flag :mrgreen:

  32. Rastar-Marn
    July 25, 2012

    You see,,, not too long ago I was making the argument that Tourism is not the Answer for Dominica look I see dey stop on the Hotel in Cabrits wi,,,

    I want to hear Ian Address that in a press conference wi,,,

  33. BRAIN DAMAGE
    July 25, 2012

    Things are tight every where, but that present government of Dominica makes it extremely tight for us. Unemployment is very high, but ease up on the custom duty for people. magrassa.

  34. Justice and Truth
    July 25, 2012

    Fewer ships are calling in Dominica but you are not informed about the world situation. The truth is always withheld.
    Since the advent of new technologies and added ones to this day, the world economy and jobs have been going down the drain. Governments of big countries and businesses are laying off staff and cutting services. The cost of goods and services and taxes has increased but income has not. This obviously resulted in mass lay-offs. People do not have the purchasing power as they did in previous years. People are crying about the decline in the economy and jobs. Every one is affected. They do not travel as much as before. They prefer to stay home and enjoy their surroundings which is less costly.
    The same applies to those who own tourist ships. Do you not think that they are also cutting costs and laying off staff?
    The entire world is experiencing an economical crisis, a downturn. Listen to and read about world news and you will learn about what is transpiring in the world. It is not a bearing on Dominica and its morality Law.

    • July 25, 2012

      stop making excuses for peoples ineptitudeand lack of management and leadership skills

      • Justice and Truth
        July 25, 2012

        @ kakalee

        I suppose you do not make excuses. :twisted: I state the truth but you are blinded by the truth and refuse to want to know the truth. The truth will prevail. In time, you will find out. :twisted:

  35. speaking logic
    July 24, 2012

    well, well, well…..the world is watching us and the new friends this country is hugging…yyyyyy

  36. All Must Eat
    July 24, 2012

    When a country forgets that is the rich fertile soil that can sustain it and believe is the dependency on the outside world that will save it what do we expect. We just always forget where we come from but when we get stuck is when we want to run back to the very thing that we forgot that brought us where we are. Soon and very soon Agriculture will become the next big thing in this country because the tourist little dollar that we making them feel like we begging for is not what can make us a better developed country is the Agriculture we keep neglecting. Change must come but is only when we the people start standing for our rights and stops saying is the politicians. It is us because we don’t belong to the government. The government belongs to we the people and it’s high time we take a stance in this country. But God is good and he will never give us more than we can handle. everything happens for a reason.

    • Malgraysa
      July 26, 2012

      All Must Eat….and Some Must Eat All! That’s our trouble.

  37. Bratt Thomas
    July 24, 2012

    lol. humm i wonder if that has anything to do with the arrest of a tourist aboard a major cruise ship line cause the little island people were scared of some gay people. Who is God punishing now? rotfl

  38. Dominicanpearl2
    July 24, 2012

    Listen up my people. Let’s try to find other ways to make money. We need industries and definitely a more attractive welcome to the island. What happened to our good old Dominican hospitality? Dominica is a small but blessed place. Thank God we took a stand. I you don’t stand for something then you will fall for anything. God did not make Adam and Steve but Adam and Eve. We must make our vistors welcome, and provide a sense of security, but we cannot be bought or sold. Sweet Dominica. God bless Dominica.

  39. Lougaoo Mem
    July 24, 2012

    The Prime Minister just doesn’t get it. The US has been taking notes of who Skerrit’s friends are, and the critical messages that he conveys. Hope the ALBA member countries will compensate for the loss. Leadership is lacking in this God forbidden government.

  40. J
    July 24, 2012

    Take all you blows and Shut Up! More blows to Come! That is 18-3!. Something Happening! Can’t you all see what is happening to tourism and agriculture industry.

  41. TC :-(
    July 24, 2012

    UWP was doing an excellent job maintaining the Agriculture Industry. DLP should have continued maintaining Agriculture.
    Tourism is not guranteed as most persons (tourists) are going through economic hardships as a result of the global economic crisis. Those tourists can merely afford to travel as often as they used to.
    Now People have to eat to survive, that’s where the Agricultural Industry would benefit Dominicans, because the world will ALWAYS need FOOD.
    Labour Power my A**!! This DLP administration has no vision, no concern for the future of Dominica and a selfish motive of “feeding” poor Dominicans with handouts instead of trying to rescue the drowning Agriculture Industry and allowing citizens to be independent and productive.

  42. Patriotic B
    July 24, 2012

    American Eagle and now our cruise ships? Let us put our heads together to tap into resources to continue to build our country.

  43. Owl
    July 24, 2012

    Too many crimes against the tourists: they complained. Hence the drop in cruise ships to the island

  44. 5th Ave
    July 24, 2012

    So this Highly Corrupt Regime places tourism infront Of us the Plants, well let them roll the cruise way they go feel de heat….haha

    We love the soil its solid and not fragile…

    For once OMG can someone in Dominica who is some kind of Professional Think Please..wow

    No wonder why they are so Ignorant down there!!

  45. Stoney
    July 24, 2012

    Uncle Sam works like a woodpecker lol

    But sadly the Citizens in Dominica are not Brilliant
    In noticing what’s in their Environment..

    Did the DDA Official think too..seek and he should Find…haha what a bunch of Jokers!!

    • langsal
      July 24, 2012

      and by october there will be another decline in few cruise we suppose to get………thats just to show how those labar ministers dohtish, put all their eggs in one basket and they deficated on agriculture.

      mi ley ban sort

  46. mysterious phantom
    July 24, 2012

    you are the one who are stupid because if you were not you would realize is not our government but world economy and mainly our stupid people when make big problem over gay people coming on those ships. I did tell people they going to start boycotting dominica and that is exactly what is happening. Treat one white man bad and for them you treat all bad no matter what kind of life they live gay or whatever else . They not senseless like black man that downtrod each other.

    • Justice and Truth
      July 25, 2012

      @ mysterious phantom

      So what phantom are you? How many homosexual ships’ visits came to Dominica in the past few years? Dominica should not sell its integrity, morality and respect or compromise with immorality/evil for a few almighty dollars. It is like selling their souls to the devil.

      • jerseydominican
        July 25, 2012

        sir u mean to tell me dominica have not gay people

    • langsal
      July 25, 2012

      i work in the government and i see what is going on and can talk about it. you on ther other hand is no phantom but just a common defender who have your red blinker on day and night.. when you can say it as it is i will respect you..
      it ways your god(skerrit)that choose his friends and guest what, they are all anti america and europe. but you want to make excuse.. TI BOUY BEHAVE COUR

  47. Listen
    July 24, 2012

    That is the last thing Dominica needs…ecomomic situation is going downnhill. We have to do something quick before its gets worse. We need to tie up our waist and keep working hard.

  48. LaPte
    July 24, 2012

    That is a huge blow to the economy. I visited recently and there are more buses in Dominica now than people. Many industries ( bus drivers, souvenir sellers etc) .will be affected by this. I dont need likes of casinos..we need better means of promoting our ” most natural island”. Enough is not being done…

  49. July 24, 2012

    repeal the VAT
    fire the minister of tourism

    • langsal
      July 24, 2012

      fire all of them

  50. Hard Times
    July 24, 2012

    Bad governance is the cause of our problems. It is time we start thinking of producing something for export, such as, Geo-Thermal.
    The last time i checked the company that is mining own 90% equity rights, and the Gov’t of Dominica owns 10%.
    We are too dependant on tourism, and we give away all our natural resources…
    Look at the sand and stones… We are giving it away !….
    The country is badly manage..

    Corruption is not always taking money from the treasury.
    It is also stopping good money from reaching the treasury.
    It is time we as a people and a country put our house in order!

    • D
      July 25, 2012

      @ hard times … u could not have said it better…. The prime minister is not doing a good job yet his suppot is steadfast….. the people of Dominica are focusing on the wrong things……. Dominica needs a plan and real fast…

  51. gat tah wass
    July 24, 2012

    go back to the farm.. You all ever hear peas and cush cush not growing. Is ” up and fast” we were to up and fast” to get into tourism in the first place and leave our natural talent that The ulmight God gave us, in leau of a quick buck. The powers that be should have inform us of the fittleness of the tourism industry.

    • D
      July 25, 2012

      This is two separate industry… the country could do both and strive… Bad management and miss use of funds that have us in this predicament…

  52. shatta
    July 24, 2012

    Instead a war to get more tourism in da island they hve a war on marijuana so police can harrass me, they killing d country quickly

  53. disapointed
    July 24, 2012

    well to be honest i am not surprised, what do the tourist see when they arrive, a dirty capital, aireal tram is gone, there just be trafalgar,the fresh water lake, which to be honest when you there what is there to do apary from see clouds, it too dangerous for our tourist to go to a beach without getting beaten robbed or raped. i feel dominica coming to an end boy….

    • Justice and Truth
      July 25, 2012

      @ disappointed

      Pray for Dominica and for others including that the criminals convert to God-fearing people and turn from crimes. It is for this same reason why all those who are specifically law-abiding and who comment on this Website denounce crimes and murders. What are you doing to help Dominica to be restored to a place of safety?

    • just i
      July 25, 2012

      I agree with some of your points but here is the thing ” what’s here for tourists (black or white) to do?
      DA doesn’t have anything to offer to thrive on tourism

  54. Holiday Island Boy
    July 24, 2012

    On a popular photo website , a person responded to a published photo of the many cruise ships in the Charlotte Amalie Bay,St Thomas USVI,stating that had not for tourism, many of the islands in the Caribbean would just be like Haiti. A very sobering thought indeed.

  55. Kal
    July 24, 2012

    Well Venezuela, Cuba, Ajahbajan, Morroco and places skerrit pike to visit will come now. One of the big boys in d hotel industry saying to him things to high . So tourism have to pull away because they are affected .

    • pongpong
      July 24, 2012

      next budget he going to beat his chest and boast that we are getting 200 tourist boats from, venezuela,cuba, morroco, dubai, ajahbajan and china…
      i hope me and my children will be long gone

  56. no name
    July 24, 2012

    is because they cannot come and do as they please and infiltrate our system with public display of buggarism..keep your business behind closed doors and u will be welcome hehe

    • D
      July 25, 2012

      @ no name… this was one incident why continue this story… Besides this has nothing to do with what is being discussed…

  57. ????????
    July 24, 2012

    That is what 18-3 meant…Bad Governance,Lazy and Inept Ministers and MORE POVERTY. It’s from one level of poverty to the next.
    Those taxi drivers who were bawling “Something Happening” cannot even open their mouths now. They have not eaten for days, so they are too hungry to do so…
    In the meantine the PM is travelling hither, thither yon..
    YOU CALL THAT NEXT LEVEL OF POVERTY!
    YOU CALL THEA 18-3!
    YOU CALL THAT SOMETHING HAPPENING!
    I SAY TO YOU ALL TAKE THAT.
    THERE IS WORSE TO COME.

    • :-(
      July 24, 2012

      So very true

    • Justice and Truth
      July 25, 2012

      @ ????

      Too many question marks. You are a bearer of bad news. I detest pessimism. This will not help the situation get better if you think it is bad. You also have an obligation to your country. Help it!

    • Meme Bet Mem Pwell!
      July 25, 2012

      one thing, that 18-3 burning you eh…smh…let it go, my brother, take a deep breath, exhale and LET IT GO!!!

  58. nature Girl
    July 24, 2012

    This is of great concern to Dominica with less cruise ships making a call on our nature Island. We have to realize that other islands are suffering just as much as we are with the cruise ship industry! There really is a world wide recession. I can’t understand how people across the world not just in Dominica don’t get it! We can’t go blaming the Government for this situation just look around us be open and smart. I feel very sad for everyone that relies on tourism to make a living it is very, very frustrating and really hurts everyone in the long run. I am not sure there is an easy answer at all. I know I keep going back to the same theme but we all need to return to planting our gardens and being self sufficient, there is nothing at all wrong with the barter system and going back to a simpler life! We are so lucky to be healthy, have fresh water to drink and a great climate to live in. We also have a small population which means that there should be enough to go around for everyone! It is far too easy to blame others. We have to take responsibility upon ourselves. Have an alternative plan!!!!!!!!!! :-P

    • P
      July 25, 2012

      Bless you Nature Girl! You right on queue!

  59. July 24, 2012

    We have to start using our own boat cruises from village to village,whale watching, moon watching. Turtle watching, sun rising and setting of the sun,boat rides and excursions to the near bye Islands all is not lost. God help those who help their self.

    • Justice and Truth
      July 25, 2012

      @ Hope

      I endorse your comments. Make use of the natural resources and less being dependent on foreigners and their few dollars. When there is ample attraction and confirmation that DA is safe to visit, then, there will be additional visitors to DA.

  60. phil me
    July 24, 2012

    to you mr Ihatemedard wish the best for our Dominica

  61. awa wi
    July 24, 2012

    But wait, didn’t the Prime Minister state in his budget pledge an increase in the tourism sector next season? That news is in contrast to his predictions just a week after oui…what’s next?

  62. roch
    July 24, 2012

    maybe if the so call PM wise up am removed VAT maybe people will start visiting again it just the start of what to come in dominica.

  63. Jay
    July 24, 2012

    Fact is that the cruise industry can live without Dominica but we can not live without the cruise industry. Someone better start thinking!

  64. Dominican
    July 24, 2012

    Really! When MAN ignorant,they really do.Just check those negative comments…Wonder if those people read the reason for the decline.So quick to point a finger at the Government or Skerrit for anything that goes wrong in Dominica.

    • pongpong
      July 24, 2012

      a promise is a comfort to a fool… the last time some cruise pulled out they said that they are burning to much fuel, but they are passing us straight and going to barbados..way down south..
      skerrit behaviour and his policies has everything to with it.

    • Guilty
      July 25, 2012

      Genius, the PM said in his last budget that due to his government, Dominica was enjoying economic success. They take credit for everything good so why disown the bad? The reasons given for the decline was given by themselves. They did not say that the boats stop sailing, they just cut down their visits to the countries that want USAID out.

    • yep
      July 25, 2012

      why don’t you check the cruise arrivals in the other islands

  65. Malatete
    July 24, 2012

    The figures quoted are misleading. In fact, between 1 Oct. 2012 and the end of March 2013 only 93 cruise ships will call at Roseau (none at Portsmouth) with a further 7 scheduled for April & May next year, i.e. a total of 100 ships in an eight months period. The pickings will be slim for everyone relying on the cruise ship industry. We’ better be realistic and prepare now.

  66. Doc.Love
    July 24, 2012

    The Skerrit lead Dominica Labor Party Government is really talking the Americans for granted.The Americans sent a high powered team to present some boats as gifts to the people Dominica and instead of offering them some beautiful Dominican grown flowers or some Kalinago handcraft in return, we offered them rum in a ridiculous manner.It is alledged that Dominica was part of an ALBA decision to get rid of USAID,after all that is said or done,you expect the Americans to enjoy your hospitality.

  67. My2Sense
    July 24, 2012

    Well I’m hoping that no one expected any different. Our main patrons (persons from the US and western European countries) are struggling financially – unemployment is relatively high while living costs are on the rise. Besides the fact that so many individuals and families have less disposable income, even those who are in a position to spend aren’t comfortable enough to spend like before.

    Tourism will not pick up for another 3-5 years.

    We need a plan for developing agriculture (and the related secondary sectors) in Dominica.

  68. Scrume
    July 24, 2012

    Blame everything on world recession and don’t talk about Dominica’s crooked dealings. Oh hypocrites!

    I challenge the DASPA boss to give the comparative figures for the other OECS countries just for verification!

    Bring Chavez and all the leftist crooks of the world and parade them in Dominica again like we did for Chavez !!!

  69. Ihatemedard
    July 24, 2012

    Leave Alba now before it too late Ross next

  70. ddd
    July 24, 2012

    That is what happens when foreignors are not allowed to enjoy their vacation. without the fair of charges.

    • me
      July 24, 2012

      we rip off,rape, thief and kill tourist you think when they have their board meetings to discuss routes these things dont come up ,blame us and the goverment for letting theses things escalate without
      consequences,zelcome to the next level commrade

    • Justice and Truth
      July 25, 2012

      @ddd

      ‘fear.’ What fear of charges? Do they expect to get everything free? Nothing is free. As tourists they are aware that they must pay for service. Those people travel with ample money to pay their way, for whatever service they receive and wherever they visit. Therefore, that is not the issue.

    • Hate ignorance
      July 25, 2012

      rubbish

    • D D D
      July 25, 2012

      WOW… people i was talking about the situations with the gay guys.. People go on vacation to escape not to be judged… Dominicans are to hypocrite their are so much more going on on the island than gay people… fathers sleeping and impregnating their daughters. speak about that and charge these people… when considering re doing contracts etc all aspects are considered and i am pretty sure the world wide attention the homophobic island brought upon themselves did not help…

  71. jump
    July 24, 2012

    More poverty in Dominica. Well well well the hole country will be the poorest in the Caribbean

    • Malgraysa
      July 24, 2012

      We are already the second poorest, after Haiti.

      • Justice and Truth
        July 25, 2012

        @ Malgraysa

        Who cares? Are you living in poverty? Are you going hungry? Do you not have a roof over your head? Why worry?

    • Justice and Truth
      July 25, 2012

      @ jump

      Do not lament. Keep up the godly spirit. Dominica will not sink and go poor. Its people will not starve. Years gone by how many tourist ships visited DA? We did not starve. God is in control.

  72. Real
    July 24, 2012

    Well Government have to give stipends to the tour-guides and ppl who are selling at the bayfront…Dat stupid gov’t need to go…

    • JIM
      July 24, 2012

      YOu Catchiln Hell Now… It’s not people like you that wanted to fight for them nah… There is worse to come.
      One thing i know i live in the country, i can always get a Fig to eat! So the POVERTY WON’T KILL ME.

    • Anonymous
      July 24, 2012

      Is that the fault of the Gov.?

      • yep
        July 25, 2012

        YES

  73. ....
    July 24, 2012

    there we go investing in a loosing cause stupes

  74. Massacre
    July 24, 2012

    Youu guys think this is all because of the bad economic system that most coutries are facing, but it is not. This is a deliberate act by the super-powers to punish this administration and sadly the people of D/ca for the P.M’s continued association with roughe regimes and leaders from the middle east.
    It is time to stand up my fellow Dominicans and demand that the rule of law and constititionality return to Da before it is taken from us.

    • Peeping Tom
      July 24, 2012

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  75. tour guide
    July 24, 2012

    what will tour guides like me do when less ship come to dominica when i hustle so hard last season an stile did not make much

    • T
      July 24, 2012

      You voted them, so take you blows and shut up!

    • Pato
      July 24, 2012

      We expect you to do what any smart person would do – that is retrain yourself and take advantage of any other opportunities that present itself.

      In life these days one has to retrain for their existing job every three years and change jobs every fifteen years based on the supply and demand for certain jobs. These days not even being a teacher is a safe job or carrier anymore due to technology. Technology has even impacted hotels; business meetings can be now conducted over the internet saving companies a lot of money on travel – hotels, airfares, taxis, jetlag, and stress.
      Technology has disrupted many Nations and lifestyles of Nations’ workers especially in the private sector. Jobs for people with little schooling and basic skills training are fewer because of robots and general automation in many jobs and because these jobs were heavily influenced by unions demanding higher wages for workers with bird brains. The result is outsourcing of low level jobs and relocation of factories to countries with cheaper electricity rates.
      The America that many Dominicans adore will never be the same – babysitting will never pay the kind of money that it once paid. It is not about ideology; it is about each country trying to be competitive and exploiting their competitive advantages.
      Dominica must exploit the competitive advantage it has as a Nature Destination with a generally clean and green environment where many persons leave to be over 100 years old with a reasonable priced health care system. Thus Dominica can exploit the opportunities for retirement tourism and compete with Florida. Hence we can be a major player in services and health services in particular.
      Persons with property in Portsmouth should not give up their property that easily and claim that things are bad. Think of how you can modify your existing properties and even cluster with your neighbors and form a retirement home facility with over a 100 rooms. The same cluster concept can be adopted with a time share model.
      The future is always bright ; we just need to imagine the future positively and make that move.

      • July 25, 2012

        Union and proud of it. Imagine without union in the work place any thing goes and abuse is the order of the day, as the saying goes. without union is always who you ” blow” and not who you know,or your brain power will be crushed by the people in power. I love my union for without it heavens knows where some of us would be. Think of these things before blaming unions. UNION!PRIDE! AND POWER!

  76. Dominican
    July 24, 2012

    Guess the incident with the Gay cruise ship had an impact ha?? Guess they won’t be coming back.Dominica is to backwards and needs to start thinking of the bigger picture,the law was right for implementing the charges but not in the waw they did, parading the guys on the streets of roseau. Am sure another country will be happy to accept their business and send them back on their way.Oh Well

    • L
      July 24, 2012

      Dominica is not just an island we made it what it is so when you are bring your country down so much you are just the same because we are the one to take our country forward and not backward. when you sit there not contributing any thing and depending on the Government you expect to see it improve come on people we are the people of Dominica we do not have to depend on others to take care of it for us so lets take a stand and bring our country to the level it should be, yes the cruise were bring it a little change but thats not what we are depending on to make a living. Rise up and think again MY COUNTRY IS NOT BACKWARDS. While you are saying that non nationals are enjoying it to the fullest.

    • 4 Me what bad is bad
      July 24, 2012

      You call your self Dominican but i think you should change your name

    • SUNFLOWER
      July 25, 2012

      The word of God far surpass economics as God will provide for DA cruise ship or not. He is the provider, not the government nor the Gay/non Gay cruise ship….

    • Justice and Truth
      July 27, 2012

      @ Dominican

      “way”. Roseau, the first letter should always be a capital letter. Dirty money. Who needs it?

      God bless governments, nations, nationals and all those who do not encourage, support, defend, condone and applaud abomination which also highly offend Him.

  77. concern
    July 24, 2012

    way papa where will we go from here :?:

    • .
      July 24, 2012

      Go and bow to the GOD at the Red Clinic! He will buy you. Remember to dress all in Red!

      • Justice and Truth
        July 27, 2012

        @ Concern

        Have no fear. As the saying, “No sweat.” Look at it another way. All things work for good to those who love God. Place your faith, hope and trust in God. He will see you through. He will see Dominica and its nationals through. You will survive always with the help of God.

    • him
      July 24, 2012

      RED CLINIC!

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available