More cruise ships coming

A cruise ship docked in Roseau
A cruise ship docked in Roseau

A significant increase in cruise ships coming to Dominica is expected for the 2013-2014 cruise season, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Seaport Authority and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Discover Dominica Authority, Benoit Bardouille.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday Bardouille indicated that a total of 207 cruise calls are expected as compared to 157 this season.

He is projecting that there will be an overall 39.2 percent or 86,445 additional cruise passengers coming for the next season as compared to the present season.

“We are looking forward to the 2013-2014 cruise season because based on the updated cruise schedule that we have for that period there are 37 additional calls expected to be made by Carnival Corporation Vessels (CCV) from 39 calls these season to 76 calls in 2013-2014,” he said. “The increase in calls by the CCV when compared to the previous season which ends in April of 2013 will register a 94.9 percent increase for the next cruise season.”

CCV includes Carnival Cruise lines, Princess Cruise lines and PNO Cruises.

Bardouille noted that in terms of passengers,  CCV is expected to bring to Dominica 165,402 passengers in the next season as compared to 97,826 at present.

“In the 2013-2014 season we expect Royal Caribbean as well to increase their number of calls to the destination by 11 calls to make their total calls 47 calls. This will represent 30.6 percent increase in the number of calls to the island when compared to 36 calls for the last season,” he remarked.

He continued, “The average spend for a cruise passenger is US$50 and if you are to look at an increase of 86,445 additional cruise passengers it could mean clearly US$4.7 million more in terms of earnings for Dominica in the next season.”

Meanwhile Director of Tourism, Collin Piper noted that according to consultants who attended a recently held tourism summit here, Dominica must increase its stay over visitors to 90,000 by 2015 if it is to remain sustainable in the tourism industry.

“Collectively, destination Dominica needs to be moving in one direction and that direction is for 90,000 stay over visitors by 2015. That requires us to grow by 7 percent per year, which is a tough target but we all have to look and determine what it is that we can do differently to assist the nation in doing so. Every individual needs to look at how they can play their part,” he said.

He argued that collaboration between the private and public sector must be improved to make the tourism industry viable.

Dominica reported a 4.5 percent growth in stay over visitors in 2012 with the island welcoming approximately 78,955.

The highest number of stay over arrivals occurred in 2006 when 84,000 visitors came to Dominica.

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72 Comments

  1. John
    April 7, 2014

    Since their is no viable way to have a fully operational airport outside the city limits of Roseau at Canefield due to safety reasons has anyone ever thought about a helicopter service from Melville hall to Canfield airport for late arrival to the island, the helicopters can also be used for flying excursions around the island especially for tourists with disabilities that cannot walk long distances. A helipad could even be put close to the boiling lake. In Hawaii they use helicopters to fly tourists all over. A helicopter flight from Melville hall to Canfield would be only about 15 to 20 minutes maybe less.

  2. 90 000 Stayover
    April 2, 2013

    also the garbage that lies on King George the 5th Street all the way from the old market up to the Garden’s walls should be picked up by an employee from the town council throughout the day. I am not talking about a garbage truck in the middle of town during the day, but someone with a garbage bag and a pair of tongues taking up the stray cans, cigarette buts, pieces of paper on the sidewalk, similarly to how its done at the airports when you are travelling.
    Let’s give our visitors an unforgettable welcome to the Nature Isle.

  3. I DIE NU
    April 1, 2013

    How come I never hear that News on Q95?Is it too good for Matt,Angelo and Lennox to talk about?

  4. Tyre hit de road
    April 1, 2013

    I hope that the Government of Dominica Beef up security for the visitors Safety in Dominica. 8-O

  5. the truth
    April 1, 2013

    God answers prayers. Thank you Lord.

  6. Anonymous
    March 31, 2013

    Ok then if UWP wants to win the votes of the people they need to have more highly educated and intelligent reps

  7. Anonymous
    March 31, 2013

    UWP sucks

  8. bondiay bon
    March 31, 2013

    great news indeed! why so few comments? comeon people, le’y bon di’y bon! tonnere!

  9. Pedro
    March 31, 2013

    Whilst 90,000 visitors by 2015 may sound good to some, it really is a small number if we are to be any recognized tourist destination. Sadly we are still part of the top 25 least visited countries in the world. And the impression about the negatives is not even about the remoteness. It is about the coconuts. “Buy coconuts from salesmen by the road and eliminate your thirst. Just know how to haggle or you will be ripped off.”

    We are not giving the best first impression. Be it at the Bayfront or from the airport. First impressions count.

  10. santa
    March 30, 2013

    that is the best news for my country,they love us.

  11. positive mind
    March 29, 2013

    I hope they are making plans to put more police to be on the look out for these criminals that snatches the tourist purses. something has to be done or else Dominica will be on CNN news and once you get that kind of negative publicity, tourism will be dead for our beautiful Dominica.

  12. Jungle
    March 29, 2013

    Talk is cheap.

  13. I DIE NU
    March 29, 2013

    DNO,since yesterday a comment is awaiting moderation!

  14. Anonymous
    March 29, 2013

    please sort out the paros, begging, and smell of urine around Roseau near bayfront locations.

  15. Comments'R'us
    March 29, 2013

    I hope some are gay cruises!! They spend more money! but then idiots and homophobes and bible thumpers get their panties in a bunch #uneducated #ignorance

  16. Tumble, Back kick
    March 29, 2013

    Will the airport issue remain the same, since this is a major factors hindering stay over visitors.

  17. poof
    March 29, 2013

    That will be good news when it happen,I love my PM but these promises are comfort for fools.

  18. hard cur dominican
    March 29, 2013

    other caribbean country getting that amount in one week.

  19. Rupert
    March 29, 2013

    Yes thats good, but the crimes committed against tourist must be stopped

  20. proud
    March 29, 2013

    US$50 per person..US$4.7 to dominica’s economy.. :lol: How is the current fiasco with Carnival Cruise Line in recent months affect these numbers? What are we doingdifferently to extend the stays and tourist spending while visiting the Island?

  21. stcroix resident
    March 29, 2013

    Beautiful I must say Dominica doing much much better than St.Croix U.S.V.I in terms of cruise ships.keep the cruise ships coming

  22. PHILLIS
    March 29, 2013

    that is great news for Dominica
    keep up the good work

  23. Giorgio/Armani
    March 29, 2013

    That is not the same Carnival Cruise lines that rejected us a few years ago with no rhyme or reason?? That is not the same Carnival Cruise lines they calling the “sick ship”? I’m just asking…

  24. Jee Dub
    March 29, 2013

    Am also visiting for a month come next week.And I really dont mind stopping in Antugua for a few hours before taking the LIAT to the MV Airport.
    What bugs me is, I am bound to check in to Antgua imigration and customs with my luggage and all.And then check in to the LIAT desk,weigh my luggage again etc.
    I did it in Barbados last year.
    Can some BIG WIG negotiate with the Antgua and Barbados imigration to get some place that Dominicans can go to at the airport to wait for the LIAT flight? …a quarantine/transit area if you will.
    Offcourse that place would have to be paid for…our own mini embassy at the airport.And we wouldnt need an international airport…maybe.

  25. March 29, 2013

    :-D thank you father for helping us here in our nature island, Waitukubli! i’m very happy to hear such good news. i’m a tour guide and i will do my best to continue giving great tours!

  26. Anonymous
    March 29, 2013

    It’s great to see that the Director of Tourism has set some goals for stay over visitors. This needs to be followed up by a D/can presence at the Travel Expositions /shows in N. America and the European Continent.

  27. Doc Love
    March 29, 2013

    like my grandma would say,Christmas comming too.

    • real possie
      March 29, 2013

      @ doc love i remember when they said that the ships would stop coming DA u was one of them that cry down the government now they say some more will be coming now it hurts u,why cause u all want DA to fall but the more u all wish bad is the more good things happen to the land just because of one man u all will let the country crumble to her knee’s,but theres a God.

  28. d/a guy
    March 29, 2013

    Thank GOD for the ones that a doing the had work to get them to Dominica and am looking to come back home to play my part in seeing our sweet Dominica move up in business and work for our people I started one year ago with my business and I know this good news has are lot to do with my business one love to Dominica and its loving people we a going to make it to the top with the good help of the LORD.We in d/a has all the good things the body needs but we all know is one day at a time

    • Tyre hit de road
      April 1, 2013

      d/a Guy I you well and pray that Jah will bless every effort you make to contribute Much Guidance Jah Love

  29. D
    March 29, 2013

    Good news, way To go. May God bless my land and it’s people.

  30. Anonymous
    March 29, 2013

    I am calling this story nothing more than media propaganda. I am seriously wondering when as a nation we are going to open our eyes. Let’s take a look at the big picture.

    In brief the three main trends in the cruise ship industry. They are:
    ∗ Increased market share of cruise ship tourism at the cost of land based tourism
    ∗ Increased capacity
    ∗ Shift from the Eastern and Southern Caribbean to the Western Caribbean.
    Check OneCaribbean.org for the statistics if you believe otherwise. These trends may have several implications for the region’s tourism earnings and
    employment.

    The increased market share of the cruise ship tourism is a cause of concern because the decision to take a cruise ship holiday implies a loss of tourism earnings and employment for the region. The increased market share would then result in a loss of tourism earnings and tourism employment as cruise ship visitors spend less per visit than hotel or yachting tourists. Also cruise ships provide only limited opportunities for employment for West Indians since most of the staff tends to be Asian and officers and senior staff tend to be European or North American.

    The implications of the increased capacity stem both from ever-larger ships. The ever-larger ships can cause overcrowding of urban setting and attractions. Such overcrowding will only get worse when three to five large ships are in port at the
    same time.

    And the shift speaks for itself in terms of reduced numbers to our shores resulting in lost revenue and employment among other social factors.

  31. Culture Boy!
    March 28, 2013

    In my opinion! the souvenirs are too dam!!! expensive. It’s like the local business person(s) or boutiques etc, are trying to make a Retired Pension on visitors. Make the prices for you attractive items reasonable. Hint! you can probably show flexibility and be negotiable with everyone who are trying to purchase your products, instead of trying to sell each product for a million $s! Rome wasn’t built in one day! for crying out loud!

  32. Neutral
    March 28, 2013

    A program that empowers those of us living overseas to be “Ambassadors” for Dominica would go long way in bringing visitors to our shores.

    • April 1, 2013

      Hi, We all can be ambassadors by telling our co-workers about Dominica. I supervised many Detectives and Police Officers and when they submit their vacation selection. I would asked them if they are traveling to the carribbean and if they are. I tell them about Dominica and asked them to include Dominica in their visit/cruise. Also word of mouth is very important and we can answer specific question about DA.

  33. river
    March 28, 2013

    oh please lets wait bardouille again

  34. Annon
    March 28, 2013

    Good news. However, SECURITY should be taken very VERY seriously so tourist gets the best experience. Do not let your guard down, just think of St.Croix…they have never recovered after one incident of laxed security over 40 years ago! St.Croix WENT FROM 5 – 8 SHIPS A DAY TO ONE EVERY 2 WEEKS or more. I need not say more.

  35. Anonymous
    March 28, 2013

    I hope they are not “gay cruises” since we already have enough contamination of the youth and the older people who believe that they have to keep up with latest trends, whether they are good (natural acts) or bad (un-natural acts).

  36. Pedestrian Walkway
    March 28, 2013

    First, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the development of tourism. Now, having said this, I am very much concern about the state of our sidewalks in Roseau that the tourist traverse on. We need to be cognizant of the fact that they are not use to our uneven sidewalks given their short stay and the congestion of parking/sidewalk areas with vehicles; on many occasions the tourist have to walk on the roadway which compromise their safety, and in the event of an accident it will only bring bad press to our country. Further, the relative ease with which vehicles are being purchased by younger people who do not exercise the due diligence while driving; in fact there data has shown that younger people commit more accidents because they take more risk while driving, as opposed to older drivers who seem to be more conservative. Another concern is the young people on scoters weaving through traffic can hit the tourists who are forced to walk on the roadway. My suggestion for the short term while we get our act together to fix all sidewalks is to suspend parking in key areas especially where the sidewalks/parking areas merge with slab covering to allow a more comfortable walking experience for the tourist. Besides a lot of these vehicle owners need the exercise to lower the obesity rate in Dominica. Finally, I would suggest further that any remediation of the sidewalks be done during the summer when the tourist season is over and preferably on a night shift to facilitate business owners to conduct business during the day. We can also divert traffic from the street area under construction.

  37. Dominican abroad
    March 28, 2013

    I will be cruising to Dominica this year. Any tips for me? Dos and Don’ts?

    • Anonymous
      April 1, 2013

      If you are Dominican you should already know what and what not to do.

  38. March 28, 2013

    In my opinion that’s a silly remark from Mr John.
    By all means, it a good thing for Dominica to get visitors from all over the world but as you would be well aware most Dominicians, if not all,wants the best for the Country.
    From one ship a day,to five,six per day.And not only come in the morning and depart in the evening but for some to begin to overnight.When ships begin to overnight,that means there is alot to offer.
    So if there are issues that are truely making the country look bad,why not,comment on them,it’s healthy..

  39. 305goon
    March 28, 2013

    very good indeed

  40. No hard feelings!!!
    March 28, 2013

    Tired fool people. Last time it was “700 meeelion (million)”. These people are so gullible. Gosh!!

  41. Jespen
    March 28, 2013

    Did i hear someone say Jet Airport? :-D

  42. Peeping Tom
    March 28, 2013

    Now, this is great news!

  43. dominica for life
    March 28, 2013

    This is good news for Dominica.
    Now we have to work together to ensure the safety of the visitors. We can keep on growing in this area that’s always good for all of us.
    please let’s do our best to give the visitors an excellent experience.

  44. Pondera
    March 28, 2013

    This projection of increase tourist arrival is good news to Dominica. Let us all pull together to make the tourist product more attractive in Dominica. May our efforts yield results. Amen

  45. March 28, 2013

    Good , not good for Q95

  46. Mamizoo
    March 28, 2013

    This is good news and better for the people who depend on this cruise ship tourism for survival. Mamizoo is by no means biass I call it as it is. Let us not get carried away here Dorival John cause we are still not at the point where we once were with cruise tourism. If we continue to praise mediocrity we stifle progress. We must encourage improvement Red , Blue, Green or neutral but we must not make excuses for underperformance only to appease the incompetent people charged with the responsibility to elevate performance and requirements.
    It is nevertheless good news and breath of fresher air since we have been breathing a foul and contaminated economic air for the last 12 years.

  47. I DIE NU
    March 28, 2013

    Peti en Peti seauseau ka faire neish..Roman was not built in a day.

  48. March 28, 2013

    Hello. That’s good news for our tourism industry and I hope our citizen are ready to provide professial services to the visitors. Also please remember that many of the visitors are coming to DA for the first time and so let us make a good impression on them. Please make sure people who are involved in excursion are properly trained in CPR.

  49. March 28, 2013

    That is fantastic news for Domininca. The only thing is that our crime rate on tourists needs to stay low if we want to attrack alot more people to DA. Great news though.

  50. Dorival John
    March 28, 2013

    I am going to predict that this story is not going to get a huge amount of comments because it is good and it doesn’t make Dominica look bad.

    But if it was something negative, phew….comments would be skyrocketing like Shane in the international cricket ranking.

    So good news, and probably a few extra dollars in our economy, which is not doing so well.

    • IPO
      March 28, 2013

      Good news is never good news…A rape, a murders, theft, robbery…these are the news 4 Q95 and Matt and litle boy lennox.

      Even when its good news they twist it nd report it as bad news

    • "O" STRESS"
      March 28, 2013

      Mate,this is your chance, make it matter by posting your comments as many as you like. We all knows what gets comments and that`s the trend in today`s era. Always remember it is what it is! We just have to do what we can do and forget what other persons does.

    • Choice-X
      March 29, 2013

      Dominicans are satisfied with precious little. and and always sitting waiting for a bit of “good news” without putting in the requisite action. They do not realise that for every increase they get their neighbors gets several times this amount.

      the real money is in stay-over arrivals. The hotel rooms need to be filled. That way people are employed on a full time basis and more money stays in the country. Without an international airport and a well thought out and implemented tourism policy there will be no tangible movement in the stay-over market for Dominica.

      In the meanwhile most people will sit by and do like a lottery, hope for the best. What a way to develop a country, on hope and chance.

    • True or false.
      March 29, 2013

      plenty people need the dough so add yeast let it rise tired see my peeps suffer.

    • Helas!
      March 29, 2013

      YES YOU JUST SPOILT IT BY WHAT YOU SAID, SO SAD!

  51. Nayre
    March 28, 2013

    God is good!

  52. Neg Maron
    March 28, 2013

    One good way for DA to see increased passenger traffic is to reduce the government charges on ticket prices.

    As an example, my girlfriend is Trini and in the past 12 months, she has been back there 4 times. The airfare is about $350 from here in Miami. If the airfare is reasonable, a lot more Dominicans will return for short stays spending a lot more than $50 per day.

    • March 28, 2013

      Hello, I don’t know if you are from DA but your girlfriend is from Trinidad and she returned home four times within twelve months. This suggest to me that money isn’t an issue so why worry about fifty dollars . Also if you are from DA why didn’t you take her to DA twice instead of allowing her to travel to Trinidad four times within a year.

      • My2Sense
        April 2, 2013

        Stupid comment you totally missed the point!

    • Anonymous
      March 29, 2013

      Not a viable option. Dominica can’t lower government surcharges on flights; surcharges are what upkeep staff and grounds at the airport.

      Now, pushing for a cheaper airline would be the best option.

  53. Sad
    March 28, 2013

    this is not good news for UWP, what will they say now? election is round the conner and they will only like bad news, sorry workers, we are going forward

    • ???
      March 28, 2013

      Don’t worry, they will find a way to show their bad ways in front of the tourists. What a bunch of morons. They are so desperate and out of touch that their best move is to accuse the government of threats of violence. How much more pathetic can guys guys get.

    • Anonymous
      March 28, 2013

      Idiot

    • Lougaoo Mem
      March 28, 2013

      @ Sad,
      First, permit me to congratulate the Tourism Industry for such great news. We need more of such…

      I am not a DLP, UWP or Freedomite. I’m a concerned Dominican American who would like to see and hear great things for my people and country.

      Brother Sad, glad your virtual name speaks volumes of your train of thought. Indeed, it’s rather sad to read comments like yours, But again, I support “Freedom of Speech” and all the rights that goes with it. So you’re right!

      Lighten-up my beloved Brother, lighten-up and broaden your horizon, be a good citizen and God Bless.

      Thank you!

    • Neutral
      March 28, 2013

      You are retarded.

    • anti anty
      March 29, 2013

      well you seem to be checking your chickens before the eggs hatch… we have been down that road before, like when petrocaribe come we will see a reduction in gas and light bill, they also said that when all those projects come jobs will be created for dominicans instead is only foreigners that working.
      i will only be excited when i actually check the figures for 2013/2014…
      people should not take those people on face value, they are to deceptive.

    • March 30, 2013

      SAD, sadly why dont you think about D’lca and it’s people instead of political parties we all know that election is in the air so being ignorant of the fact is not what this good news is about.

  54. wotton waven /Possie
    March 28, 2013

    That’s good

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