Taxi operators in Dominica say their livelihood will be affected by the decision of Carnival Victory cruise lines to end its 21-year services in the country.
Public Relations Officer of the Dominica Combined Taxi Associating Jenner Gusite says several families will be affected by the decision.
“It would mean a blow right into our pockets. Taxi drivers have children, wives and family to take care of. This was our survivor during the off season. We will have to just pray for this cruise line to come back or another one to take over,” he said.
Guiste also questioned whether the rise in fuel is the main reason for the cruise line’s decision to remove Dominica from its itinerary.
“I hope that the reason they gave is the real one,” he added.
He said he is also concerned that other cruise lines could pull out their services from Dominica, in light of the rise in the cost of fuel.
I think the reason for Carnival’s pull out is not relly a fuel issue .The cruiselines operate on a guest comment and a level of standard in customer relations and company benefits ,Now in Dominica we sometimes put the money before the professional service we should provide and as a result the expectations of the guests are not met .This reflects on the tourist service in Dominica as poor and further more the the tourist destinations are not developed compared to the other neighboring islands. Where is the entertainment and party fun time environment that should be there ?Remember they are on vacation on the other hand we are working ,DO IT PROFESSIONALLY.
I went on a cruise which stopped in Dominica and have booked another which was due to stop and Dominica this year which now Dominica has been cancelled from the itinerary.
I have to agree with the above regarding the lack of professionalism of the service and attitudes of some taxi drivers. I hope that Carnival Victory come back to Dominica by the time I cruise, which would have given all the chance to re think their strategy. As I am of Dominican parentage I will remain loyal to re visit.
Not surprised @ all. Royal caribbean is next. Their customers are claiming that there are too many people pushing drugs in their faces. They are fed up plain and simple. They know of the old building with all the little bottles with stuff in them. They complain to their cruise directors about the harassment to buy drugs they receive in that establishment. Mr lazy blind tourism minister do your job and clean out roseau. Get rid of these thugs @ the various sites around dominica.
@chemist: i will tell you why, because when those tourist get off de boat there is nothing diffrent for them in dominica, apart from de aireal tram screws, and the emmerald pool and trafalgar, and our beautiful parrots at syn, there is not much else they can do.
we do not promote our beaches, why are we not promoting them.
we need something for the older more immobile genaration like a tea room at the gardens, and more activity for the younger like wackyrollers.
my sister used to work in that spa at garraway a few years ago, and used to meet alot of the staff, and they informed her that dominica was the most unpopular with the guest.
its about time we cleaned up our beautiful beaches, encouraged big hotel chains, to open these all inclusive, and get rid of rubbish like oil refinary…..
I listened with interest to the news of the cancellation of calls by Carnival Victory, one of the ships in the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet of ships, effective November 2, 2010. From what I understand the Carnival Victory handles about 30% of current cruise passenger arrivals. This is very significant and will certainly affect the livelihoods of some of the hundreds of persons who currently depend, whether directly or indirectly, on the Cruise Tourism Sector for the livelihoods. Not only will this move affect private citizens but the public sector as well in terms of loss revenues to the port and customs and to the treasury by way of the loss of cruise passenger head tax and site passes to our ecotourism sites. Those who will be affected include, but not limited to, taxi drivers, tour guides, handicraft and souvenir vendors, food and beverage vendors, duty free shop operators, the ship’s agent, organized tour operators, operators of privately operated sites and attractions, suppliers of fresh produce (ripe bananas and cut flowers etc), the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA), the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division, etc, etc.
The rationale for the cancellation of the Carnival Victory, according to Carnival Cruise Lines, is based on high cost of fuel among other reasons. One might ask, Why Dominica and not any of the other islands in the Carnival Victory’s itinerary, particularly since we have a “twentyone (21) year” business relationship with Carnival Cruise Lines? If we look closely at the itinerary we will discover that Dominica’s position on the itinerary makes it most logical to pull the ship out, unfortunately, than any of the other destinations if the key issue is cutting down on fuel consumption and saving the company critical revenue.
The pull out of the Carnival Victory is imminent but all is not lost, since, listening to Government and private sector officials on the DHTA show on KAIRI FM Radio some interesting observations were made; I believe it is important to reiterate some of those observations and to add my comments to the discussions as well. The need to make Dominica a premium destination, and, in particular the making the sites premium sites is a good suggestion. This is not far fetched as some people will want us to believe but this will cost some money, proper planning and commitment to come to fruition. The need to review existing port charges, site passes and passenger head taxes are also critical. The retraining/ongoing training of the destination’s front line tourism workers, particularly, the taxi drivers, vendors, hair braiders, tour guides etc, everyone involved in tourism. This hopefully will help the destination to have a cadre of well established, trained and knowledgeable tourism workers. The need for an ongoing public awareness campaign islandwide to cultivate a greater appreciation of Tourism to the socio economic development of the island. The need for improvements to the existing port infrastructure. I believe that in addition to new developments for the cruise sector, such as the proposed cruise village at Woodbridge Bay Port, there is need to improve the Cruise Cruise ship berth and the Cabrits Cruise Ship Berth. There is also need to improve existing public and private sites and encourage the development of new sites and attractions. There is also need for continued improvements to our roadways, and the roads and side walks in the city of Roseau and Portsmouth need to be improved to accommodate persons using wheel chairs. There is need to improve entrance to retail stores and store layout as well. There is need to improve the handling and sale of food and beverage. There is need for increased Police presence, and in particular police who are visitor friendly, informed and knowledgeable. There is also need to improve our capacity to respond quickly to medical emergencies…and the list can go on and on.
The bottom line for the cruise line is profitability. They are in business and so should we. We are fortunate that we have a window of two (2) months to plan for the upcoming 2010 – 2011 Cruise Tourism Season. Focus on improving the service and overall package to visitors if this country is to benefit meaningfully from Tourism…If we say TOURISM IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS then let’s mean what we say. TO BE CONTINUED…
Once again I say, it has nothing to do with fuel prices. That ship will continue to visit St. Lucia, Barbados and other caribbean ports. They have to go past Dominica for that. This one is definitely politics. We get what we vote for. That marriage to Chavez is going to sink our boat. We will suffer until. The few on top will keep getting their pockets laced while opportunities keep running away from us. There are so few opportunities for us to allow the little we have to slip away. Good luck!!!
I am sadden by the decision of the Carnival Victory to remove Dominica from its ports of call. But, I am of the view that a stone can be a stumbling block; or it may be a stepping stone (depends on how you use it). True, when things don’t go the way we would like it to, we cry … we get angry … we blame everyone. However, when that is over, we must look beyond what is (or what was). We must take a look at our small island nation and consider all the resources at our disposal. What can we do to maximize it? Is it better to let all fertile soil lie in waste and chase the almighty dollar through bussing of tourists? What about out water … 365 river? Are we holding folks accountable when they fail to lead what could be vibrant sectors of our economy? What’s next … do we stumble? Or do stand on the stone? We decide!! For at the end of the day, we are ultimately responsible for ourselves and our well being.
@John Brown:
Am a bit lost based on your post, you keep making mention of two different countries Republic of China on Taiwan and Republic of China, so which is it?
Although this will be a terrible blow to the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the weekly call by Carnival, it will force the ministry of tourism and the tourism authority to get off the stool which gave them a cushion for 21 years and begin to put creative promotions into motion that will allow for more stayover visitors during the lean months. Far too often, tourism numbers we falsely boosted by cruise passenger numbers. It means now that the Ministry and Tourism Authority will have to devise new ways of fostering income for tourism income earners.
people lets not get ahead of our self these cruiseline do these things now and again for there guest there are guest who cruise on the same ship all the time so they give them the oppotunity to see other places but the government need to know the reason for the cruiseline pulling out and people it is the government reaposibility what ever happen under your leadership be it be good or bad it will be you ok even if you voted for them or not. on the cruiseship thing look at royal caribbean we are pulling exployer of the seas from da next season but it is for a reason which i can say online but i would tell you i am looking out for you
Carnival Victory is gone. I believe their reason for moving on. These people are open and honest. They have a track record of PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY; hence their successful enterprise.
Some of you are busy attempting to figure out a hidden agenda behind the truth and I don’t blame you because we have become a nation that is led by LIES UNTRUTH and DECEIT at the highest level; so when the truth hits us in the face we cant recognize it.
Show me your company I’ll tell you who you are is still true. Their social scientists looked at our TERRORIST bosom buddies MOROCCO; CHAVEZ; COMMUNIST CHINA LIBYA etc and they advised that the SAFETY OF THEIR CLIENTS COME FIRST
Remember they had already advised their disembarking visitors NOT TO EAT FOOD ON THE NATURE ISLAND?
Maybe to test the truth DOMINICA COULD HAVE OFFERED TO SELL THEM FUEL AT GOOD PRICES FROM PETRO-CARIBE.
Fellow Dominicans …………. WHY LAMENT THE PLIGHT OF THOSE WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE JUSTIFIED DEPARTURE OF THE BOAT,,,,,,,,,, while you EMBRACE THE 200 LABOURERS THAT THE CHINESE HAVE HERE?/ why not ask for AN EXCUSE OR REASON from them?
The boat people see we are fools so they treat us like fools… Watch others use the same reason ……you’ll see
it is with much amazement that i read some of the rediculous and uninformed statements that are written by some who think they knows best or most. i wonder if they every read or follow any international events.
PEOPLE the USA is indebted to china, the USA is Venezuela biggest customer for their petroleum products, so the notion that its because of our relationship with these countries that we have lost the service of carnival cruise line is to me nothing more than BULL****.
Public Relations Officer of the Dominica Combined Taxi Associating Jenner Gusite says several families will be affected by the decision.
“It would mean a blow right into our pockets. Taxi drivers have children, wives and family to take care of.
TRUCKERS AND LABOURERS TOO … THE BOAT IS GONE ….BUT THE CHINESE ARE HERE RIGHT IN OUR FACES ……………
@Enough Already: “Guys i have been out of da for 23 yrs and not one person i know that goes to da and don’t like it.” ……sweetie anyone who goes to Dominica TO VISIT loves it ….because they don’t live there….they go just for vacation and a break from their everyday hustle and bustle. Living there is a totally different thing, so I wish people would stop saying that!!! Of course one will enjoy it, it’s home!!!
Why can’t some of these fools commenting here who grab at any opportunity to blame the government don’t remove their heads (and brains, if they got any) from within their rear ends? I mean, it is getting really patthetic now, what does our relationship with Venezuela or Chuna have to do with a cruise ship pulling out? Some of your people commenting here are some damn dumb or your etes so filled with blue (or green) lassy that your vision is seriously clouded. I really feel sorry for some of you guys. The country and its people will move on notwithstanding your idiotic comments and sorriful sentiments.
@road dog: You are so RIGHT!
Whatever the reason carnival decided to removed Dominica from its route, its a done deal. History, has shown that we do not learn from our past misfortunes. We keep on putting all our eggs, in one basket. We have refused to learn from the lessons of the past. The Banana industry, does it ring a bell?
To all UWP supporters this is what Mr James said about China in a speech at the U.N in 1997
It is against this background that the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica call again on this world body not to continually close its ears to the pleas of the Republic of China for international recognition. It must be remembered that the Republic of China is a founding Member of this Organization and has been a Member for the greater part of its existence. The Republic of China on Taiwan is a politically democratic and economically dynamic society with a directly elected Government and Parliament. Dominica therefore urges Member States not to continue to ignore or block the efforts being made to admit the Republic of China to membership of this and other international bodies.
It’s amazing when he was PM he said that the “Republic of China on Taiwan is politically democratic and has a directly elected Government and Parliament.” today he’s singing a different song.
This what he said about America
“Cliches like “desperate times call for desperate measures” and “a hungry man is an angry man” may sound banal, but they cannot be ignored. Peace in our region and peace in the world depend much on the humanitarian dispensation of justice. The action which has been taken against us in the WTO is not justice.
The raison d’être for the establishment of the United Nations was to maintain peace and security. You, Mr. President, in your address to this body recognized that peace and security are threatened by international terrorism. May I draw to your attention that peace and security can also be threatened by economic terrorism. Our region is now threatened by economic terrorism, and our Organization — the United Nations — has a responsibility and a duty to ensure that no form of terrorism succeeds in undermining our peace and security.
Who is Mr James calling economic terrorist and what case is he tallking about? The Chiquita Banana Case
Complaint by: U.S.
Complaint against: European Union
WTO Case WT/DS27
WTO European Communities – Regime for the Importation, Sale and Distribution of Bananas – Complaint by the United States – Report of the Panel [WT/DS27/R/USA, May 22, 1997]
This dispute was initiated by the U.S. government on behalf of Chiquita Brands, a U.S.-based corporation, in response to Europe’s Lomé Convention preferences for small banana producers in former European colonies in the Caribbean. Mr James in 97 called America economic terrorist today he is singing a different song
You can find the speech on http://www.undemocracy.com general assembly session 52 meeting 21
Google W.T.O cases WT/DS27 or WT/DS27/R/USA to find the Chiquita Banana Case
Educate yourself people don’t let this two tongue politician fool you.
Are we going to blame the Government for everything that happens to Dominica?
Carnival Victory cruise lines remove Dominica from it’s route and you guys want s to blame the DLP? What is wrong with us as a people. Stop feeding into this crap you guys hear on the talk shows. I was listening to a radio station from Dominica in my office and 2 of my client walked in they thought i was listening to laugh factory on XM. Guys i have been out of da for 23 yrs and not one person i know that goes to da and don’t like it. You honestly think if the cruise line was making a profit they would careless if Da is doing business with china, iran or south Africa. Carnival Victory cruise lines cares about the dollar not Skerrit or Ron Green. So stop the crap and lets put the energy in making da a better place for our family.
Somebody needs to inform me here. Do these vessels fuel in Dominica at all? I do not recall ever seeing a refueling station or terminal at any of our cruise ship berths. And neither have I ever seen a fuel truck parked at the Bay-front for the purpose of providing fuel to cruise ships. This seems to me a very lame excuse for withdrawing their services. There is some other underlying factor motivating their pull out.
This proves once again that TOURISM is a very fragile industry. One ship pull out and so many people’s livelihood will be affected. This is another opportunity for the Government to rethink it’s ridiculous approach to AGRICULTURE, it is time they stop procrastinating on an all out aggressive development of that sector. It is time that this government wake up from this celebratory euphoria in tourism land and admit that more people in Dominica still depend on AGRICULTURE for economic survival. To all Dominicans especially those who faithfully and religiously defend every and anything this government does EVERYBODY MUST EAT!!.
We need with immediate effect a serious and concerted effort to attain food security and even defense of our food security.
Take one look at what the passengers see when they arrive and you see why Da’s 1st impression is unappealing.
A potentially beautiful bay front littered with galvanize and tarpaulin shacks selling cheap chinese goods.
No tax rebate for owners to replace rusty roofs. A city with no litter bins and garbage clogged drains.
A new paro, beggar or lunatic every week.
What do you expect when 80% of the Govt. Tourism budget is spent on cruise tourism which only generates 20% of the tourism revenue.
Who wants to travel on Dominica’s old, bumpy pot-holed roads? Everyone wants value for money and trust me, this is not a ‘now’ decision by Carnival Victory and I doubt it has to do with fuel. Very early in the year I booked on Victory and we are going Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten and Puerto Rico in November. Hope they have better roads.
genner must understand how can dominica go to bed with venezuela china and other left wing leptist countries who are against the us and expect to get business.all our business in the the cruise industry is from the usa.we are paying the price for our recklessnsss.more have to pull out.so genner take what you get.fuel has nothing to do with that.you are quite aware of the stubbling block
Personally, I don’t think fuel is the main reason. Check the cruise’s itinarary and see if they still travel to neighboring islands like Martinque, Guadeloupe, etc… To me that would not necessarily indicate fuel issues. I wonder if cruise passengers are complaining that the port of Dominica doesn’t really offer anything new or anything of value anymore or maybe they are not geting good services from the vendors and transportation folks on the ground. It needs to be researched some more, though, so that tourism officials can mitigate any future cruise pullouts.
AND… what really do the cruise ships care if tour operators have families to take care of? They made a business decision to come to Dominica and likewise to pull out… not to support Dominican families! You see, it may be some of these same attitudes that may be responsible for this pullout.
I think the tourism ministry needs to conduct a study of some sort to see really what these visitors really like and what they’d like to see… compared to other ports. We can’t just expect all cruise folks to be intersted in inaccessible waterfalls, or lakes or dive spots. This is a major reason too why alot of visitors stay on the ships… we have resources, but they remain highly undeveloped and inaccessible!!!
What does Dominica have to compete with other destinations and even with the cruise ship itself. Sometimes visitors can go to the swimming pool, go rock climbing, bowling, gameroom on the ship.So where in Dominica has those things? Folks need to think like how these people think… and then we will see folks knocking down our doors to get on our shores!
hmmmmm tie your waist people… and pray
again 62% of the popular vote DLP has gained massive surrport as they have shown history will give them the thumps up for informing dominicans wisely bring the truth to them at all counts.
Taxi operaters shouldnt complain as we have a choosen one from God who will deliver everything to us just a pity it comes in a spin format!
would advise the taxi operaters not to ask any hard questions on issues!! just sit and wait as bigger and better things will be coming no need to invest in busses anymore operators
we will get usd 20million from charvez so sit home and praise the lord for the choosen one…
one thing dominicans have shown that they are brilliant in reviewing ideas.
wonder why the rest of the world didnt take up ignorance as a honour in their governance!!