Former Minister of Tourism and member of the opposition, Norris Prevost, is calling on the government to take more action in order to get the Carnival Cruise Line to return to Dominica.
According to Prevost, the ship once called at Dominica every week bringing in over 150,000 passengers every year. He said that the government’s refusal to address the concerns expressed by the cruise line is one of the main reasons why it pulled out from Dominica and has not returned.
“On Thursday 22nd October, the opening day of the Cruise ship season, I paid a usual visit to the Roseau Bay Front, to speak with the vendors, taxi drivers and other stakeholders in the sector, and to see firsthand how the Bay Front looks for the season, whether anything had been done to uplift the Bay Front, to improve the conditions of the vendors, and generally to improve the shore side welcome to the visitors,” Prevost said. “They were all saying with one voice, one of the worst blows affecting vendors, taxi operators, tour guides and others who depend on the cruise business for their living, is the loss of the all year round Carnival Cruise Line ship, for the last three seasons.”
Prevost noted that one of the main priorities of the United Workers Party, is to give an entire uplift to the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard in an attempt to improve the shore side welcome.
“Dominica’s Cruise Tourism sector is in deep crisis, and demands a rapid response,” Prevost stated. “Government needs to do more, in order to get back the Weekly Carnival Cruise ship to Dominica. The BREA survey results confirm that the Government of Dominica between 2006 and 2012, failed to deal with the negative issues that the cruise passengers have been complaining about. The survey states, Dominica ranked last in terms of “the initial Shoreside Welcome.” This speaks directly to the inadequate reception facilities at the Cruise ship berth, and the substandard conditions under which vendors on the Bay Front are forced to operate. I wish to call on Government to build proper reception and vendors facilities on the Bay Front, otherwise Dominica will continue to lose its other prime cruise customers.”
The Carnival Cruise Line decided to pull out from Dominica in 2010. Since then government has held several discussions with the cruise line in an effort to get it to return.
DNO restricting people to give kudos or brickbats to the comments.
I am no too surprised at Norris for being concerned about the tourist industry. Remember, he was a former minister of Tourism and want tourism to flourish just as it did during his time in office. He stated that the government’s refusal to address the concerns expressed by the cruise line was one of the main reasons why it pulled out. if such is the case Norris, why don’t you tell the vendors, taxi drivers, and stakeholders about those concerns. In doing so they will address it to the Minister and if can be remedied it will. Come on! Do so for the good of Dominica.
Doesn’t Prevost read the news? The Government is already on the case and are putting the mechanisms in place to allow Carnival Cruise Lines to re-enter our shores Furthermore does Prevost still manage the Mall? He gave us a Cinema and close it down.
The remark you gave that everyday the vi is getting cruise ship is untrue.When was the last time St.Croix received cruise and how often they come ? We must be careful with our statement and get the facts…
Norris Prevost you should sit with Roosevelt Skerrit to have a ONE-ON-ONE with a proposal on how to bring Dominica back on its feet. Let us know the OUTCOME BEFORE ELECTION.
If the government of all people cannot respect the constitutionn, what else will they not do. One day, one day they will listen to you.
Enough is enough. I will be boycotting 2 activities.
I know some of you guys know how destructive Skerrit’s leadership has been to Dominica but because all you hate the opposition all you will do everything to defend his poor style of dictatorship at the expense of losing Dominica. But please for the sake of country, I encourage you all to take a look at the man’s record and tell me if you would still keep him employed if he was managing your store with this type of record. Here is a glance at his record and I challenge anyone to prove me wrong with factual evidence:
1. Skerrit met American Eagles swinging. Under Skerrit it’s gone.
2. He met Carnival swinging. Under his watch Gone!
3. Met agriculture swinging. Under his watch gone!
4. Met cricket on every ground. Under his watch gone!
5. Met a united Dominica with every village under the supervision of a council/towncouncil. That’s goone too!
6. He met a strong vibrant Christian Church. That’s gone too as leaders chose to serve him instead.
7.He met strong constitution. Gone longtime ago!
8. Met a healthy and respectable presidency. That’s gone and might never return again!
9. Met dollar meeting dollar. That’s gone as now is poorer and poorer.
10 Met an employment sector. That’s gone and by choice was replaced with an unemployment sector.
My people, the question is, could Dominica be paying for it’s sin? Your true heart answer is as good as mine.
Was Dominica the only island that this cruise ship pulled out from? Ofcourse all you impossible.
In addition to my comment, was Dca the only country American Airline pulled out from? All you Dominicans too impossible. You all do not even realise that you guys are bringing down all you own country. We are not the bottom of the barrel, prevost self coming and talk his nonsense. How you going to make Carnival come back, I would really like to hear your plan of action. Remember thats not your call anymore, let Issac do his job. The one they replace you with and you did not want to come out.
@ REAL TALK You seem to be from many islands! I AM FROM DOMNINICA, therefore I am concerned that the bunch of GREEDY men and women posing as a government, to do what it takes to have the cruise line return to Dominica, MY COUNTRY!
WELL SAID HONOURABLE PREVOST THE PATRIOT!
Is this what you want your country to be a follower of others so you think that it is right, for us to sit and accept that the cruise line pulled out from coming to our island because it did so to other countries, are you telling me that you do not want to achieve higher that you do not want your country to achieve higher that because something happens every where it also has to happen here, as a Dominica do you want your country to be in the shadow of others, well let me tell you i do not. you should encourage your government and country men for the improvement of your country and not to blend in with others but to stand out.
The Prime Minister and his Incompetent Minister of Tourism must tell the people of Dominica the truth about the result of their meeting with Carnival Cruise Executive.After all it cost the Tax Payers a lot of money for their trips to Florida.It is clear for all to see they could not convince Carnival to return to Dominica weekly. Oh what has happened to the Vendors facility which Mr Nassief the Dollar Tourist Minister promised to build opposite the old market and the Hotel he told us would be constructed at Woodford hill. We have not forgotten because the farmers were driven from their plantations.
Permit me to say a little concerning your comment. For your purpose the Prime Minister knows how important tourism is to Dominica. So please do not entertain the thought that he would have ever given that position to an incompetent individual. I sincerely believe the Minister of tourism is doing his best to make the industry thrive to its fullest.
Oh boy those who defend the atrocious labor party government will eat you up for speaking truth to power.
Those of us who realky care will remember that famous trip to Miami to see the Miami Heat and Carnival cruise line owner. The guy didn’t even know those papi show was coming to see him
Now this is the administration that told us agriculture is a has been industry and tourism is the way forward yet thirteen years no significant impact on tourism
They can buy votes but not Mickey for sure.How do we expect progress from an administration that blames everyone else and refuses to look in the mirror. Now all of a sudden agriculture is the way to go
Why did your previous government not do something about it at that time? They left the mess for the new PM which is what he inherited from them. Now you non-supporters want everything to be done in a day.
God knows D/ca has progressed very well under the leadership of this PM. Learn to appreciate him and what he has done with more to come. Be patient!
You should know that Rome was not built in a day. Did you ever give this a thought?
Take a day of to enjoy your independence.
Prevost we are working on it. Any help from you would be appreciated.
Yes and less criticism from him, his Party members and supporters.
i think “me” is correct to say that the government under the leadership of the PM want tourism to flourish in dominica. So since you are a former minister of tourism, you should share your tourism skills with those in power. Maybe they are patiently waiting for your input.
Part of the sanction. American Eagle and Carnival Cruise Ship. More will follow if there is no change in Government administration. Little by little we’ll feel the squeeze.
Change in Government administration is not the answer. CHANGE IN ATTITUDE IS. UNITY!
Dominica does not need a change in Government administration to please those visitors. They are not coming to visit the PM and spend time with him. They are coming to visit Dominica. When they visit, their interest is in viewing the sceneries.
They should know that Dominica is a small country, smaller than theirs and should understand.
They should not expect it to be as theirs and some of those countries they visit which have an influx of tourists due to their flat land and sandy beaches.
What Dominica has is unique and they should appreciate it.
They should be given not only a brochure which contains beautiful sceneries of D/ca but acquaint them with its situation and its history as a small country. Dominicans are already putting themselves out for them. They should not expect any more.
Dominica is the only island in the caribean that dont have cruise ship comeing in all year long, in the V.I. there are cruise ship every day of the year.
@Anonymous, that is a big fat lie !! There is what is called cruise season and even when it is cruise season, there are still days when the ships don’t come, then most of the shops on the dock closes and of course the workers don’t get paid. I know some Dominicans who work on the port who can attest to that. St. Croix is worse they get less ships than St. Thomas, and you know why? Because there is too much crime!! You are talking about the United States Virgin Islands, and it is not as great as you may want us to believe. Go down there and you will see the amount of stores that have closed down. Even when the tourists do go there, they dont spend a lot of money. And the V.I. Depend mostly on tourism.
If you meant the BVI, most of the cruise ships are coming from England. American cruise ships go there because they use American money, change is American, and the atmosphere is different.
It is an American country. What you should know when they especially approach the travel agents or when they view the travel information On Line they have already made up their minds which country to visit.
Dominica has a set back and it is lack of sandy beaches; not its fault. Some of those countries do not have the beautiful sceneries which exist in Dominica and which nationals can boast of. Many of them do love Dominica and love to visit it.
Then there are some who do not ask for much and who do not expect much. They are on vacation and they are quite content to visit. There are those who only visit a country once.
That’s completely False BVI suffers during the off season, and I hope you are still considering Trinidad, St.Vincent, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Haiti part of the Caribbean
VI is US territory what do u expect…when the ships come from the states???
Mr. Prevost
The cruise sector is not a priority for the Director of Tourism. He is fixated on 90000 stayover visitors by 2016. SMH. I am trying to figure out how he is going to achieve this with no major airline flying into Dominica, inadequate hotel rooms and no night life.
Oh yes. Air traffic, Hotel locations, and of course, the night life would really make a difference.
What an honorable and admirable manner employed in the process changing directions. These are the issues UWP should be addressing and not protests and negativity.
Thanks for indirectly recanting.
Be honest with yourself the failure of te government have been discussed for years now.mr prevost had been talking about this foe a very long time
Don’t be a fool the UWP has always brought up the issues and the violation of the constitution is the biggest issue facing Dominica
@ Me Camem I think the protest should be first and the other issues next. Without adherence to the constitution of the land we do not have a country.
go tell that to Skerrit your God.
Truth be told, Dominica has more to offer, in terms of shore excursions, than most of the other ports of call.
I know that when and if the UWP get into power, they are going to rebuild the water fountain on the boulevard which they had paid over a quarter million dollars to build.
I would like Mr. Prevost to tell the reading public whether the govt. owns any cruise lines, or how they could be responsible for any action taken by the cruise liners?
@BEB, what happened to the “water fountain” on the boulevard? Why did the UWP spend that much money, “over a quarter million dollars” on a project that was unimportant?
Nah, the Government do not own any cruise lines, but through negotiations, they could get the cruise liners to come back.
STUPPESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Nonsensical comment.
You hit the nail right on its head Mr. Prevost. However, Dominica needs a cruise village. The Bay Front is wholly inadequate for a ship carrying some 3000 people.
Roseau is simply too congested to make the trip pleasurable and memorable for visitors.
The Bay Front represents the continuously poor planning that Dominica engages in with regards to its present and future development. At Melville Hall, they built a “FOUL CAGE” for a reception area, after spending 110 million dollars in upgrades.
Who decided that the current set-up will benefit Dominica? Do they not travel and have they not seen what some of the other islands have done and is doing?
The West Coast is an ideal area for the cruise village. Why are planners jamming everything into Roseau? We’re still operating with a “Plantation-Style Mentality” where Roseau is the main house and the out-lying areas represent the field.
We have these issues like Carnival pulling out of Dominica because we created them and refuse to do the work necessary to solve them. It is a shame to see where a beautiful island like Dominica is and where it’s heading in 2013. As a proud Dominican, my heart bleeds for Dominica.
sir prevost you have been consistent. keep up the good work, you are really a gentleman. God bless you sir.
Yes uplifting the bayfront is good but until Dominicans learn proper customer service the industry will never prosper.
Mr Prevost get a life.
He sure has a life. You should get one and learn to have a proper discussion on matters affecting DA
@Lol It’s only someone with a life,that can bring such brilliant issues up for discussion. I CAN TELL YOU THIS MAN IS BRILLIANT! I LOVE HIM!
Can anyone in the Skerrit lazy and greedy cabal even understand that? These people really need to be voted out.
By now Mr.Prevost should realize that any idea of development that has to come to Roseau and Dominica by extension must come from the Skeritt Labour Government. Every year the UWP takes pride in reminding the Labor Government that the idea of the very successful Creole Festival came from them as a result Skeritt is never happy about the reminder. Dominicans must ask themselves why Dominica doesn’t have an International Airport. Dominicans must ask themselves why Dominica will not have Voters I.D Cards but instead Multi-Purpose I.D. Cards. Dominicans must ask themselves why the old Roseau Clinic was turned into a University instead of a Business Incubator as recommended by Mr. Prevost. Dominican must ask themselves why the Public Works Garage land is alleged to be given to the Chinese instead to the people of the Goodwill Constituency as recommended by Senator Lugay of the United Workers Party.
Dominicans either do not know how to ask questions, or they just agree without asking questions. FEARFUL.
A las papa bondien mene workers viway!!
they are busy building plywood shelters for their pets a plywood revolution
@Vieille Case, did you build yourself a mansion, or were you expecting Government to GIVE yo a mansion? FRESH.
****you****
Apart from ‘the unemployment’ sector created by Skerrit, all other sectors he met swinging when took over died. Example, He and Ian Douglas and others are high on tourism but the reality is when he became PM he met American Eagle swinging; under his watch it is gone and replaced by something much smaller. Then in case that was not bad, he met Carnival swinging and now it is gone. So under his watch he lost both air and sea. Although some will try to say is not his fault they left but whose fault is it when he cannot replace them?
@Santa Claus, why is Southwest Airlines not flying to Atlanta? Why is American Airlines only flying to Puerto Rico from Miami and not from Fort Lauderdale? Why is Caribbean Airlines not flying to Dominica, a CARIBBEAN ISLAND? There are several reasons why certain Airlines DO NOT fly to certain Countries. Roosevelt is NOT the reason for the American Eagle NOT flying to Dominica. American went bankrupt, they sold out to another company. Roosevelt need his OWN AIRLINE, like Saddam Hussein did, then he would be blamed for the Airline Industry problem.