Chief Executive Officer of Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority, Benoit Bardouille, has reported that tour numbers for the Carnival Conquest has increased pointing out this is a very good sign.
“This is an encouraging sign for us because these are one of the things that we have been working on to ensure that when ships like Carnival and the others come, that the tour numbers and the tour revenue would boost because from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm the Trafalgar Falls is a premier site set aside and designated only to the cruise lines … during that period it allows the cruise line to increase their tour revenue without having to compete with the private tours,” he stated.
The Carnival Conquest docked in Dominica on Monday morning on a chartered cruise. It will be the only call for the season and the first since the company pulled out of Dominica three years ago.
Bardouille pointed out that feedback from passengers is going to be important.
“We look forward to the feedback from the passengers as they come because I will continue to talk to the team to see how Dominica can get on the winter itinerary, we are also looking forward to seeing how we can talk with Carnival to see how we can reintroduce a summer itinerary in Dominica,” he stated.
Meanwhile Minister for Tourism, Ian Douglas, said that Dominica treasures the relationship with the Carnival Cruise Line and has reviewed its tourism product with a view to improving it.
“We hope that when you get the feedback from the passengers you will let us know so that we can continue to improve the product,” he told a brief ceremony aboard the ship on Monday morning. “We have done a lot of soul searching, we have reviewed our product with a view to improving it so that your guest can have a once in a lifetime experience in Dominica because we recognize that while in the other Caribbean islands it is basically sun, sand and sea, Dominica provides a very unique experience.”
The ship’s senior captain Francesco La Fauci said he intends to write a favourable report on the island to encourage a good relationship between Dominica and the cruise line.
They’re only making one stop for the season, why is that??
Zo to sort. Keeping DA on the list of visiting Islands depends on people’s taste and what they are looking fo by that i mean the visitors. Why don’t you know alls open shops, restaurants, bars to provide entertainment for the visitors or let me see the Government should open buisnesses and provide all their needs.How about working in partnership.Or maybe UWP will make changes such as keeping the carnival because they will magically bring jobs, homes, money, hospitals, etc.
Go to Barbados, Jamaica and St.Lucia and see who creates the action for tourist.
Sit down on all you behind and blame the Gov.
Who is littering Roseau is it not yourselves, all you will not think twice of pe peeing any where them bawl out Roseau stinking.
Nothing is for free people have to work for it.
KFC and Mc Donaldfs where poor people who started of with small pots and pans selling by roadside now they are millionaires, take a leaf out of theirbooks, oe can only be critical if you can do better or make changes. Empty barrels make the most noise.
I heard the news on the radio and wondered if I was the only one who thought about it this way. We have to give Carnival Cruise Lines something for them to come. So why not just cut some of the business that our most innovative and productive tour operators on island so that the ship can make more money on their organized tours. We cannot entice them with free or cheap water, we cannot lower gov’t taxes, but we are proud to say we are cutting the private sector in our own country for the cruise ship company.
I have a GREAT concern;
why is Mr. Bardouille always the one talking and taking photos with everyone and anything dealing with tourism?
Is Mr. Ian Douglas still the minister of Tourism? or Is Mr.Bardouille the new tourism minister?
I just find it strange.
Mr. Bardouille is also the chairman of Discover Dominica and it is in that capacity he speaks on matters of tourism.
Nothing has changed, nothing has finalized, nothing new to report, so why all the media attention today, to report what?
Because they believe everyone is foolish. some of us thankfully are not fooled by the nonsense spilled out by the likes of Bardouille and politicians.
Increase in Carnival cruise tours, mentorship for unemployed youth, road works at Tete Morne Grandbay…………. Yes, work has began by this government? Reactive, not proactive after 14 yrs.
when is Carnival next visit? small minded people
But what is the good gentleman comparing this with? The last Carnival ship that was here before this one visited more than three years ago and was smaller. Obviously with a mega ship of this size (over 3,000 passengers) you would expect to sell more excursions – it would be a very bad thing indeed, if you didn’t.
I think that the cruise ship companies should BOYCOTT D.A. Why? NO GAY CRUISE THERE FOR NO STRAIGHT CRUISE point blank! TEACH Y’ALL A LESSON..
we die nah
How much did we have to spend on them for their return to Dominica????
@ king does it really matter how much was spent the money that they will leave in DA am sure it will be worth much more,some of us to like to live cheap and want to smell sweet.