MV Azura to make inaugural call to Dominica

MV Azura

Dominica expects to welcome the MV Azura of P&O Cruises on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth.

This is the first of six calls that the ship will make to Dominica during the 2010/2011 cruise season.

This liner is 951 feet long with a GRT in 116,000.  The passenger capacity is 3,096 with 1,226 crew.

A welcome ceremony is expected to take place aboard the ship at 10: 30 am. Government Officials, tourism stakeholders and representatives from the Discover Dominica Authority will be present to officially welcome the ship’s captain and crew.

Cruise tourism is a major component of Dominica’s growing tourism sector.

A total of 546,487 cruise passengers (275 cruise ship calls) visited Dominica during the 2009/2010 cruise ship season. Approximately 237 cruise ships are expected to call at Dominica during the 2010/2011 season, bringing nearly 451,141 visitors to the island.

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16 Comments

  1. IN HIS HANDS
    January 5, 2011

    :-P

  2. Mike Wallace
    January 5, 2011

    I applaud the arrival of this latest ship to our shore. I also credit governments’ recognition that Tourism is important to our economic developement and its efforts at enhancing the sector. In that regard, one must note that the ongoing major development of our major road network is a long awaited step in the right direction.
    While Govt is continuing its thrust with new hotel developement, there is need for the local private sector to play it’s part as a partner with govt. In addition to hotels there is the need for new investment in other recreational activities which would serve tourists and locals alike. The country is ours to develope regardless of Party support. I believe it’s time we all grow up and focuss on our country. That beeing said, our potential local investers must be allowed to grow alongside the foreign investers and not made to feel like second class investers. We need Govt as a partner, not a hindrance to our efforts.
    I want to appluad govts’ efforts as it moves towards the construction of a hotel at compton point. This is an area with great potential for new tourism developement. I look to the day when we will see a number of hotels and other facilities established in that area. One hotel is a start, not the end. This is an area in which Govt needs to encourage as much investment as possible especially with a focuss on local investers. I get the impression that many persons, wrongfully I hope, are of the view that all of compton point is slated for the construction of one hotel. My knowledge of the area leads me to believe that this cannot be so, cause there is too much available land and opportunities at that location.
    Finally, I would like to see an end to all the negativities. A Govt must be allowed to function. The constant bickering is affecting the country and all of us it’s citizens. Let’s all commit to working with Govt and the Govt commit to working with us the citizens as we try to develop our country in earnest.

  3. hmmm
    January 5, 2011

    Please get some fire trucks to flush Lagon and the market areas in the evening. I feel so embarrassed when I see these people visiting and the place looks like a dump, especially if the garbage truck did not pass the night before.

    Lots of countries coordinate these things to make a good impression. It’s just like running and putting in some house plants, fixing up the chair cushions and passing a quick broom when visitors are expected at your home. it’s too avoid the bad talk and to make a good impression.

    The same needs to be done for country. Mr. May*** needs to stop trying to use big words and get to work.

  4. Vroom
    January 5, 2011

    Good going. The tourism sector is a very essential aspect of the country’s economy. Generation of revenue. Hope the people enjoy their visit. And hope that they will come as often as possible.

  5. Bayside Economist
    January 4, 2011

    I am calling on all Dominicans to denounce the PM’s plan to build a governor mansion. The government need to invest that money in job creation.If government continue to conduct buisness as is we shall remain a failed state dependent on charitable donations.
    It is time our government start investing money in the people. It saddens me when our people are giving high praises to a little one plane airline that is setup mainly for St Lucia’s thriving tourism industry.
    I expect a lynching from the supporters of the party in power but I must say that if this present government intend on taking Dominica to the next level ( even after 11 years) the decision makers must begin to do things differently. A government who does not focus on developing people is not creating any incentives for investment be it foreign of local investments. In this tough times every public dollar spent the government should expect valuable long term and short term bennifits.
    To those who will defend the move to build the state house please share with us the economic benits. Please dont tell me that the state house will serve to host dignitaries because this is just stupidness.
    I believe that our stagnation is very much hinged on the incompetence of those so called decision makers. Right now we need decision makers with with revolutionary ideas , people with experience, education and people willing to make tough choices. Dominica need leaders who can get the masses to understand that we cannot seat back and expect handouts . Instead we are going invest in ourselves.
    The collosal blunder of the Melville Hall project is evidence of mis management, hastiness and arrogance.We’ve spent soo much money on what was suppose to be an upgraded airport facility. One outstanding but distatsteful feature of the upgraded airport is the fact that passengers must now line up outside in the elements just to get past security. iThe list goes on. ( by the way please ask those firemen to take pride in the airport and play their part in creating a good and presentable Dominica) I

  6. The likkle man under de bed
    January 4, 2011

    Great! Hope more comes in. WE WELCOME ALL

  7. Yes i
    January 4, 2011

    I am glad and grateful for the opportunity. I do hope that those in authority make use of these opportunity and really clean up our act. We must consider ourselves lucky in that the product that we are providing to our visitors is really substandard and yet we can lure cruise ships into our ports. It means therefore that we can do so much better and command 3- 4 ships per day – consistently.

    As a patriotic Dominica I sincerely ask that the government reconsider the plan to spend 27 million dollars to construct a state house. It is time that our government start operating like true business managers. Just a few humble ideas. Invest the money in a state run parking facility or rent out the facility. A facilty around the market area will create revenue , employment, alleviate traffic congestion and improve the market area in Roseau. With the implementation of a parking facility the government can boost it’s revenues by enforcing parking regulations, Yes apologists- A multiple parking garage may cost much more than 27 million but it is an investment guaranteed to generate revenue.
    Spend some money on improving our tourist reception areas , build some paid wash room facilities etc.

    Please don’t spend the money on a rolex when the house is void of basic necessities.

    • Anonymous
      January 5, 2011

      The parking facility may be a great investment for you. Stop waiting on govt to do everything, and invest yourself. The same benefits will be derived and you will be the one making the profit.

      • day care
        January 5, 2011

        Just what I thought ; some political Party poooper.

    • Anonymous
      January 5, 2011

      we have parking across the river but it’s empty, them lazy people don’t want to walk into town.

      • dumb
        January 5, 2011

        Oh what a very productive suggestion. The parking lot across the river will fix or problem and generate money. Sometimes it is better to say nothing rather than to appear asa fool .

    • My2Sense
      January 5, 2011

      I am a fan of your idea. As a matter of fact, it is one that I have thought of too. I envisioned two parking lots though; one on either side of town, servicing folks from the north and the south (elsewhere as well).

      @Anonymous, the idea is a great one for private investors as you mentioned, but the legislative body will play a tremendous role in crafting laws and then the authorities will have to enforce those laws. For example, parking on the streets of Roseau might have to be limited to vehicles conducting legitimate business, residents of Roseau and passenger buses. Can you imagine private vehicle owners obeying this type of law if there is no fear of a hefty fine?!

      Roseau is a small capital city (a town in comparison to other regional capital cities), but a regular shuttle service could be organized between the two parking facilities. Also there could be various payment schedules available; day, weekly, monthly or yearly parking rates.

      Like I said, this is a good idea, but can you imagine the loss one would incur if the proper regulatory and enforcement framework is not in place? I am almost certain that as things stand in our country, no bank or financial institution will give a loan for this project… hence the request for Governemt input.

      I am one who believes in private ownership and the entrepreneurial spirit. I would love to see more of that in our country, and hopefully in the near future I will be one of many individuals who can contribute in this arena. But things need to be put in place before small business ownership “takes off” in Dominica.

      That is My2Sense

      • Yes I
        January 5, 2011

        Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I totally agree with your view that legislation would be required . I really wanted to stress the point that Government need to co me up with means and methods of increasing public revenues. Take for example the WEST COAST ROAD rehabilitation project.. What plan is in place for maintenance ? I believe that a toll system should be implemented- be it $1.00 or $2.00. After all the road project is a gift why not tthrow some money to install a couple of toll booths that would generate some revenue for continuous road maintenance.

        I just wish that present and future administrations would stop making the same mistakes made by the past administrations. As we continue to do the same is the more our people are migrating. It is definitely not good decision to spend $27 Million on a state house when people need sustainable jobs and the country need to boost it’s revenues. Throwing that much money into a non revenue project is not a smart thing to do.

  8. Seaside Rasta
    January 4, 2011

    YOUR Government Working For Its People. Next Level Productions ( I have the Rights to this nobody can steal it). I know Dominicans copy cat. Next Level Production is MINE When One door closes 10 will open. We despaired when the other ship just pulled out, but NEXT LEVEL PRODUCTIONS WORKING! SO here we GO! Welcome welcome welcome MV Azura!!!!

    • KOKAY THERE
      January 4, 2011

      couldnt have said it better

  9. Nex Level
    January 4, 2011

    better daYS AHEAD. God Bless us with revenue during this season.

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