Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said he will be traveling to Miami next week as his government attempts to convince Carnival Cruise Lines to return to Dominica.
That cruise line ended its 21 year relationship with Dominica in 2010, citing the increase in fuel prices as the main reason.
But speaking on state-owned DBS Radio on Thursday morning, the prime minister said there are plans to negotiate with the cruise line. “We are going back to see if we can negotiate with them because we appreciate and understand the importance of the cruise business to many Domincans who rely on the ships coming to Dominica for survival,” he stated.
He said he will be going to Miami to meet with the owner of the cruise line to do just that. “I am traveling to Miami next week Tuesday to meet with the owner of Carnival Cruise Lines with a view to persuading him to bring back Carnival Cruise Line,” he said.
According to Skerrit, on average, the cruise line made 50 calls to the island bringing in an average of 157,000 visitors. “We have lost that, not because of non action on the behalf of the government but because at the end of the day is the bottom line that matters for any private sector investor. They were losing US$1.2-million – US$2-million because of the cost of fuel and other issues and they had to pull out,” he pointed out.
Earlier this week Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority and Chairman of the Discover Dominica Authority, Benoit Bardouille, announced that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line will be making more frequent calls to Dominica during the next cruise season.
But wait! Where is the Minister of Tourism and those involve in the industry? It is obvious that these ministers are really and truly out of sorts and now they all are bazoodee and wonder whats going on. These ministers are indeed the worst group of ministers Dominica has ever seen. They dont know there role, they don’t know how to perform well, no matter what. All they are doing is getting fat, and building big house and owning nice vehicles. Can these ministers raise their hands and say: we did this and we dis that. They forgot that being a minister is not just saying labour power, attending functions, eating free food, drinking free drinks and having vip privileges, and getting allowances when they go abroad. All these folks do is read written speech and make empty promises yet always saying: God is good!
If these folks were serious about the nation they would have come to realise that every ministry should work together to enhance the nation, hence its tourism product. Instead of performance all they do is engage in talk, talk, and more talk. They love breaking grounds and turning swords, but they hardly complete projects- on time – or otherwise. Its like these folks are playing jigsaw puzzle and just cant find the missing pieces.
One thing that is for sure: Next independence they all should be rewarded for not doing anything. The PM can get a good mark for really trying hard although……….
But to be honest, who is the hardest working minister in Dominica?
What are their constituents saying?
On a score of 1-10- how do we grade them?
How many have failed or passed according to your own honest assessment?
One wonders whether or not Dominica would give them a pass mark or ask they to pack up immediately and go home?
Oh Time will tell about this tourism business and their infamous night landing ole talk!
Carnival owns nearly very cruise line bar one or two globally. It is a massive monopoly. The ships sporting Carnival colours are the lowest end of the market that they cater to. Cunard being the upper echelon.
Why oh why do we want to become a nation of t-shirt salesmen to these people, save the money you will waste wining and dining them, and invest in making damn sure the other regional airports know we still want to be at the table for air access. You are so blinkered it makes me want to scream.
Cruise ships are destroying the Caribbean, homogenizing the places they live in on the promise of “more calls” dictating to governments what they want and expect to get, and treat anyone working in the tourism industry who deal with them as slaves. ” if you don’t build this, we wont come, if that doesnt happen, we wont come”. and yet our beloved leader sends delegations after a few pennies when that money should be spent advertising and ensuring flights arrive full.
Slavery was ended how long ago? There’s even a plaque on the wall at Cabrits citing a Lt Skerritt who fought against it and won. Why is his antecedent selling us back into it?
Numbers are all they are looking at … Quantity not quality.
More work speaking to Guadeloupe and Martinique about visitors who will be here for a few days not a few hours.
Cruise ship passengers make a lot of money for a few people. Stay over visitors make money for many many.
ROSEAU VALLEY It seems SKERRO bye you. You want to get BIG CONTRACT ?
sing for your super !!!!!
Nothing like closing the barn door after the horses have escaped. Why is it that the PM & the Mayor cannot see dirty streets, beggars, and unattractive accommodations for our visitors?
Why is it that a bus load of visitors are on unsafe roads or traveling behind a large truck with no brake lights and bald tires. Say nothing of the car that passes the bus at a curve.
Yes we have a beautiful Island and we need tourist but we need Leaders who wil lead properly. Our PM should be beyond embarrassed by his leadership.
Oh, I forgot. His ( former ) best friends were and are Leaders of Countries which limit the voice of the people.
Perhaps the PEOPLE OF DOMINICA should wake up and stop accepting what are so called Leaders are doing to OUR COUNTRY. Where is the accountability?
You expect Proper Leadership but that does not mean you will have it if you yourself have no interest in your own town, street and house.
It is time for all of us to do our part… !
I’m presently on vacation from working on a cruise shipmy experience when I met people who haveseen my name tag n asked me about my country my first response I begin talking about the natural features because its something that my guest are looking for in an island…. The rivers mountains I boast the sulphur spring…..but never to mention the upon arrival…..we visuted many islands on the cruise some a lit smaller that Dominicabut the arrival to these islands have always been welcoming n developed these places makes u wonder what is wrong for ur country
Amazed the guests would come back n sa I Loive ur country one guests said to me I would give anything to be back home in Dominica n be sipping on a kubuli instead of these wack drinks they serve….
But moist of the people well my colleagues would sat that the place is wack what the pm must understand that crew don’t comne to stay on island we have a least 4 hrs or less to explore ay islands we go mainly for good food. Great discounts and feeling welcomed and most importantly free WiFi the port needs mire development sometimes u go to n island n all u wanna do is chill right here in the port in the shade an speak with ur family. My colkegues have told me they don’t ever go down the ship when the boat comes to Dominica its not an attractive port is nut welcoming n not fun…… The people don’t treat u like guests either….
None the less the guests loive it they also complain about the ports lack of attraction but after the tours it makes them appreciate the country mos my guests are complaining if how they would develope the country if they could so its something that the pm needs tlook into
Cruise lines does a survey after every cruise where the guests n crew talks n writes about their cruise experience n if guests continue to write up your country the cruise industry will definitely satisfy the guest n crew by not making it a habit to return to a place with poor experiene when that word spreads fleetwise then u are about to loose a lot more than Carnival cruises
Thank you very much for yourcomment … Very insightful.
Roseau is an ugly city.
Here is a good negotiation strategy; Mr CEO do you know my grand father was part of the most famous gang of pirates to ever patrol the caribbean seas to include the gulf of Paria. MR CEO you better recognize.
I get t joke Lego beef. Very few people know about the background of this dictator. I will just mention the nick ame ” Happydays” and that should say a lot. Happydas was the mevanc and the dictatr’s grand father was one of the hench mn who would brutalize and murder people jst to take their possession. Now when law enforcement started hunting down these sea pirates few of them ended up in Dominica. The dictator’s grid father settled in Dominica for sometime and then he moved to Guadaloue wher he died. Happy days lived in Dominica died and never ever returned to Trinidad. If you check the dicator’s ame originated from Trinidad . This is the pace where the Most brutal pirates of the Caribbean started and operated. The dictator is jst an offspring of or of the mst brutal member of the pirates.
Ths s the gospel truth. I knew happy days and would often times question him about the days of ths prates operation.
Mevanc should have been mechanic
Funny thing, I am coming to your beautiful country again this sunday november 25 so i figured i would take a look at 1 of your newspapers only to find just how many of your own people think the country is a hole in the wall I would just like to say as an outsider that i have said from the 1st time ive been there that i would sell everything to move there permanently the reason being is the local people are the kindest i have met anywhere so i would like to add that yes there are some major issues that need cleaned up but the overall view i have of your country is that it is the people that make it a beautiful place not always the landscape..
just my 2 cents.
thanks you Mr Newman
Befor you sell your life away my dear i would try and spend some time in Dominica living there before you make such a life choice, i myself made that choice on the fact that i had been going for a few years as the diving was i have to say some of the best.
But a word of warning my dear, as an Ex EX pat i would warn you it is very diffrent being a tourist in Dominica to living there, i survived for 6 years and left just recently, i love my friends i have made in Dominica, but i would never ever encourage any non Dominican to sell there life and move there.
It is the Dominican way. Kill ourselves and always mr Skerrit …
Nobody will ever say thank you for anything.
It is a beautiful island with people who are always ready to decry but rarely to help out.
Thanks for coming though.
So a Negotiation is a begging mission now! Get your lazy selves back to work. Dominica is blessed and we will win over Carnival again.
All you to negative! Wass Mayshastay Domnichen
Really sad -Dominica does not need to beg -clean up the town, improve the facilities. Dominica for tourist is nice from far -but far from nice. Instead of wasting money travelling to Miami spend it on the Dominica
i agree and after just advertise international abt our island through out the world and we will be big, we will make lots on income that way
Garçon for you to try to entice the Eurozone to promote agricultural Imports from the region you talking ,,
You making Joke garçon!!!
Try Lobbying Ross University (DeVry Inc.) to come put down a massive American-standard Hospital in Portsmouth right dere in Point Round nuh, You talking about going and ask to be “fead a fish”,,,
Garçon start aksing dem man dem to teach you how to fish nuh so you doh have to keep aksing to be fead every day but you will learn to feed yourself for a lifetime,,,
Ian told us just a few months ago that once we put certain things in place we will be going back to the Carnival Cruise Line to renegotiate. Guess everything is in place now
As much as we all know that something needs to happen it s quite obvious that terrible things are happening at the hands of this government. All of a sudden SKERRIT is telling us when and where he is going? Boy what a comedy. Is it that the Tourism Development section of the administration s failing miserably. But then whi is to blame?
If the ” bottom line” is important to the carnival cruise I wonder why would the cruise company still want to keep loosing 2 million dollars just to service Dominica. Only if the cruise company is waned by the Emanuel guy or the lady who like SKERRIT so much that they ave him land- supposedly. Or only if Chavez has majority shares in the Carnval Cruise line company. Ozone more thought maybe the PM could use hs dimples and hair line to charm the owners of the cruise line.
For years I have been saying that Roseau is about the most unattractive capital city in the Caribbean. We Dominicans love to fool ourselves into believing everything we have is the best and most beautiful of God’d creations. Other people just don’t see it that way. We need to be honest with ourself and do what needs being done to beautify the city.
I have friends (non-Dominican) who have visited Dominica on cruises and they all had negative comments to make about Roseau. I had a work colleague whose itinerary took him to Dominica and I had to forewarn him that to see the beauty of Dominica, he had to get out of Roseau.
If we cannot see the state of the capital city, we ought to contract with a foreign consulting company who can look at ROseau and Dominica with fresh eyes and make some recommendations on how we can spruce up the place. I am not surprised at the cruise liners deciding to bypass Dominica.
That thing about fuel cost is a red herring. They are just being polite and gave the Dominican officials an excuse so as not to embarrass them.
The PM travelling to Miami to beg a cruise line to restore Dominica as a destination. What a shame!?. Its just shows you that Dominica is really at rock bottom. Nothing will really come of that negotiation. The government should really concentrate on making the island more welcoming and attractive first. It is clear that the cruiseline is ‘put off’ by what they see here. They dont want to lose their customers.
Let’s just say that the PM and his advisors are going on a vacation to Miami.
y cant some ppl ask questions b4 posting negative things…the reason they stop commin is because of some thiefs that is in dominica and some ppl dressed in police outfits and went to a certain beach tied a lady and her daughter and raped the young girl infront her mom.AM DOMINICAN AND PROUD TO BE.so plz stop the negative comments our country is clean and GREEN.
Clean up Roseau and offer cruise ships free water.
Dominica sucks to the core Period!!
Is it true that a certain top official in the tourism industry was arrested?
I don’t know about that .. you mean the pot they use to boil the shirts for dyeing.
What I do know is that Ian Douglas was in St. Thomas last week in observance of D/ca’s independence celebrations and he said he was on his way to Miami to negotiate with Carnival Cruise. My questions are, Was Ian lying? If not, what were the results of his discussion and why does the PM see it fit to go?
Please somebody, help!!!
Is she still a top official? What I hearing there Na? Well we in Dominica like bad publicity papa.
Nothing will come out of this…Dominica is very unattractive due to The small and dull mindset of This Regime..they are not pro-active they a reactive after the damage is done…what a Joke!!!.
That’s why Deceased Prime Minister said clearly about wearing that badge of Ignorance…lol lol..
Look a joker island called Dominica..my view looks like a playing field of children begging that’s how Dominica is being viewed…POOR LEADERSHIP..
Nothing will NEVER BEAR FRUIT ONCE LABOUR IS IN POWER IN DOMINICA…Labour is so silly their main GOAL is just to catch a Vote..what a bunch of Rubbish….haha but the writing is on the wall..they will soon have to re-trench in their Public service and jolly well do it.Labour…
Dominicans don’t even know that the sun rises or sets…that’s how backward their mindset are! and most be told so to the world, Permitting a out of touch Regime to RULE THEM…HAHA WHAT FOOLISHNESS…LOL LOL
This is what is considered to be decisive leadership in motion. I need not embark upon a crusade of informative acrobatics, but the PM is by definition the PRIME MINISTER. While he holds his substantive postings, he is still the chief overseer of every ministry. PM Skerrit therefore has a Constitutional Right to use his impeccable influence to work for and on the behest of the citizenry of Dominica.
His well thought of intent is the very epitome of true patriotism and dedication to the task of nation building. I dont always support your policy but in this regard, I say great move PM Skerrit. Some of my many readers may, of late conclude that my strategy has changed a bit. This may be so but I have been doing some soul searching of late and I have to look beyond now and into the future.
On this TOURISTIC MATTER at hand, I know fully well what this Industry means for the people of Dominica and indeed those in the ROSEAU VALLEY. The facts reveal that this government has done more than any other in investments within every section of the Valley and Tourism is well taken care of , plus GEOTHERMAL etc. I fault them alot , in the area of Agriculture in the Valley, although some effoets have been made in terms on RoadDevlopment but more is needed in terms of FARM ACCESS ROADS.
It will be an added blessing when this Cruise Ship returns to our shores. I also hope that in the pending cabinet reshuffle that an agressive and action oriented new Tourism Minister is appointed. Also I believe a value for money audit needs to be undertaken of the Discover Dominica Authority. There is the belief that theyre not doing enough to advance this key sector.
Let me call upon the good people of the Valley and environs to be patient with this imperfect yet thoughtful government. We do know that we are the major Tourism region in the state, only rivalled by Portsmouth. Hence with the re-advent of this cruise, alot of economic activity shall be generated within every area in the valley. We therefore pray that our beloved PM succeeds in this current iniative.
Yours Faithfully
ROSEAU VALLEY
Patriotism!
So Roseau, is true then! The Govt. acquiring the assets of the Aerial Tram and and offereng it to Carnival at a big discount with you in charge? Boy, you’d better get yourself a very big spanner and screwdriver. (…only joking, of course!). Merry christmas.
Prime Minister why are you always Playing across the line of well pitch in swinging Yorker,chances are Greater for you to be struck infront of wicket or bowled.
Prime Minister please think outside of the box if you are able too. as under your watch the Country has being rated the Poorest in the Eastern Caribbean..
handouts can’t grow a economy, your cabinet is oversized, you get excited by re surfacing a road which is basic 1.1 regime stuff..
Prime Minister the sooner you leave office Dominica will breath a sign of relief as your Policies have brought about a famine on Dominica.
You are the first Prime Minister since we gained Independance in 1978 to bring so much turmoil in Dominica…why why Sir.
Don’t you see the island is crying on it’s dying Knees….are you a Believer in God or you play with the dark siders! would love if you Come Clean with the Citizens as History will bear a Massive Negative stain on you forever!
If you dont know what you are talking about why dont you just read and paix bouche.
What do you read observer? Please let me know maybe we could share some reading material.
The PM refers to the “owner” of Carnival Cruise Lines as if this is a private company. He will be meeting with executives of the company, not the owners.
If Mr Bardouille already said that more ships will be coming from Princess why is the PM still going to lobby, is Mr Bardouille telling untruths or is the PM looking to get the credit for the increase we know that will be coming. Just asking
I’m far from wanting to be a spoilsport but as of today none of these additional sailings to Dominica, referred to by Mr. Bardouille are listed on the Royal Caribbean schedule for the season 2013-2014. Ckeck for yourself on website: cruisetimetables.com (go to “cruise destinations” and then look for “Dominica”) It still shows only 11 arrivals for Royal Caribbean to 31 March 2014 (and two in April 2014, which strictly speaking is outside the season).
There is one further arrival, not previously listed by the “Emerald Princess” on 2 May but after that nothing, nada, zilch till 9 Nov. 2014 when we expect the Silver Whisper. I pray and hope Mr. Bardouille is right but it is getting late in the day and I shall believe it when I see the relevant data.
Most peculiar. We have a Discover Dominica Authority under respectively a CEO, a chairman and a designated minister of tourism. Does it take a P.M. to negotiate this? Maybe he wants the credit if the visit is successful, which I hope it is. However, nothing came of the last attempt when he called on Carnival in Miami together with Ian Douglas. Will he take the marketing manager of DDA with him this time and “keep it in the family”, so to speak, I wonder? Bottom line is that Carnival will only return to Dominica if it produces more profit than going to an alternative destination. By the way, the extra arrivals by Royal Caribbean for next season, announced by Benoit Bardouille are still not shown in the sailing schedules. Good luck Mr. Skerrit!
Was about time you announced your destination. Hats off to you. Hope this trend will continue. The people need to know, but just a question is the Minister of Tourism and the P S of Tourism part of the mission?They need to be there with you so that they can be a part of the discussion and have first hand information on the negotiations and be familiar with the expectations of the Carnival Cruise Company. Just a suggestion PM.
I hope that he is not going to go to Miami and offer to pay the Cruiseline’s bill or pay the a sum of a few million to come back, then keep it secret like the MOU with China, then say to people that he is a fabulous negotiator and that the ships are back because of his negotiating skills! Because if he does that, all that may happen is that the ships come back, no one knows what happened behind the scenes and so government spends a few million, the cruiseship company benefits, the people on the street think that they are making money but then do not realize that they are actually loosing it through the tax money going back out to pay them to keep coming!!!!!!!!!! Look closely Dominica!!!! Demand that you are told what happens in Miami or you might be fooled yet again!!!……….
i hope u are being accompanied by Ian Douglas! Do any of your ministers do their job MR PM? why is it you’rethe one to go lobby with the cruise line! i think that should be the job of the Minister of Tourism, he should be competent enough conduct such duties!
It’s a step in the right direction – why do we have to criticize? The cruise line may be more inclined to budge if they speak directly with the country’s Prime Minister – no pun intended against the Minister of Tourism. We should be hoping that the trip is successful:)
I concur,i think that should be the job of the Minister of Tourism, he should be competent enough to conduct such duties. if anything it should read, “PM headed to Miami,to seal a deal with Cruise…..
AA! You took the words right out from my fingers. I myself checking if it’s the Prime Minister that’s doing all of them work, fire them and let the PM run things by himself eh. It will save the country money and public officers can get better than 1%.
Maybe if you followed world news you would be more informed and learn that many heads of state go on such missions to drum up business for their respective countries. Even rich countries like Canada & the U.S. do this initiative all the time and it is not uncommon for these heads of state to take along government ministers as well as people in the public sector who act as subject matter experts. Perhaps you ought to think of how you can help your country instead of criticising the efforts of others. But then again, you must be a great benefactor of the barrel economy so you don’t really care about the less fortunate.
well hooray at last he relises the island going down hill, at last he off and doing good for a change…. about time
took you a while PM to see ya people struggerling to survive day to day, while you off drinking ya vintage wine and spirits
Just for your info the PM drinks ZERO alcohol.
The Pm has his own tongue and mouth.Let him say so. Your SOT!
how you know, you one of his many female friends he has visit at night lol and thats just hear say, but ya all put ya hand in the fire for the man, but i sure know the man wouldnt even give you a drink a water if his people need it,,,,,,, look at the state of our country!!!!
The PM does not drink wine and Spirits. You see how we like to judge people when we know nothing about them. He drinks absolutely no alcholic drinks. At least you could have left that part out of your comment. Heresay is the worst say and it always causes confusion and strife. Yes Mr PM dowhat you have to do to help this country. Develop the relationships at least you have that skill so go with God before you.