Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, has said the government plans to work with the cruise ship officials in not only identifying shortcomings in the tourism industry, but making sure these are taken care of.
He was addressing a welcoming ceremony for the inaugural visit of the Norwegian Breakaway on Sunday.
“We have to do all in our power to ensure that your visitors and also your crew—who are also very important—have a wonderful time and experience in Dominica,” Tonge stated. “And more importantly, it also takes care of our individuals who live in Dominica. If our individuals in Dominica are happy, then obviously, your guests are going to be happy. So, we’re committed to making the experience a much better experience.”
He added, “The government of Dominica is putting everything in place to ensure that the experience is a great one, so that, as Mr. Bardouille said, when your guests fill up and the guests score, you want to ensure that our score is no less than eight.”
Benoit Bardouille, Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Seaport Authority (DASPA), said Dominica stands as the most beautiful island in the Caribbean.
“I would like to ensure that as your passengers come back, that they would note those experiences that they have, and allow…the company—Norwegian—to put Dominica back on the schedule for the next season,” he said. “Surely, as we go ahead, we’re trying to improve the product—our service—as we go along, and we do hope that as you come (we know that you have two more visits), you will certainly help us to be able to tell the world the beautiful things that we have.”
This is the first of three calls that the ship will make to Dominica for the 2015-2016 cruise season.
It has a carrying capacity of 3,697 passengers and 1,650 crew members.
This year. I am mute.
Just watching the disaster from the sidelines with headphones oN.
Twop BLAJAY
SIGNED.
Embarrassed
“to identify” TOUJOU???? I thought Mr. Tonge ALREADY had a plan laid out for getting the tourism industry back on track…
It is really distressing to read that “the Govt. is to identify the shortcomings in the tourism industry”. Is this an admission that the govt. has been asleep despite all the reports and comments that have been made over the years? You know what, I am giving up and nobody will see my face in Roseau when cruisehips call because I am too ashamed and embarrassed.
We already know what the short comings are,check the websites and see how the passengers describes us and how they have no “desire” to ever visit again. The land of angry nasty people who won’t let you use their restrooms after you have bought and spend your money with them and many more like that. Customer service ,customer service ,customer service.
We know what we must do to stay in the game.
Clean the City daily.
I hope the point of this is to reassure the cruise lines that their concerns are important to us, because surely we already know what the major problems are:
1. Roseau is full of foul rubbish.
2. Annoying parros make tourists feel uncomfortable and make the country look destitute and desperate.
3. Surly customer service is found as often as a friendly welcome.
I beg to submit that the tourist industry’s worst enemy is the people. Here in Dominica, we need a spiritual upliftment so we may see the light and act in a more cordial and well-coming way instead saying and doing the wrong things to visitors and seeing them as a dollar bill; off course, that’s what brings in the dollars in the first place….it is called Hospitality. Also, we must not forget that we promote our country as ‘nature island’ of the Caribbean while simultaneously destroying our beaches and rivers with all manner of filth. Folks, especially those who live in big cities come to our shores to have a different experience; that’s why it is called vacation -__to get away from the usual.
When people are happy they spend money.
all talk and NO NO NO action NOTHING WILL CHANGE, look at how NASTY roseau is and allu want to invite visitors, COME OUT DERE
Charity begins at home….. Advice: look at the shortcomings of those assigned to the tasks particularly from the top administrators – review you all’s professionalism and standards and correct your actions. Set new standards and walk the walk in all aspects of your assigned portfolio. Lead properly for others to follow. This is how it is done. God is never fooled.
he is the # 1 short coming. talk alone Mr have. set of coshonee
This very Norweigian cruise ship appears out my window every Wednesday on and off season in the VI, but soon people get tired of ONLY the SUN, SEA and SAND. On that note, Dominica, being different has a lot more variety to offer than many of our Caribbean competitors, but we have to continue to showcase our product and train the service providers to always be professional in serving visitors and locals alike. Good Luck in making Dominica a different and preferred destination in Caribbean Tourism.
Only now you all identifying short-comings
? After 15 years 
:mrgreen:?
So Robbie you saying Ian and others have been asleep at the wheels for 15 years while getting a BIG PAYTAM salary? Ebeh laybar really ka twavaiye papa
.
Assertive, Never Aggressive!
Good Job, show them how its done