An account system to keep track of the revenue generated by tourism as it filters into different aspects of the economy, is on the cards for Dominica.
“In fact funds have been secured to develop a satellite account system, with which the Discover Dominica Authority and the Ministry of Tourism by extension, and the Government of Dominica, can track the revenue that is generated by tourism,” tourism minister, Ian Douglas, revealed at a Carnival prize giving ceremony on Wednesday evening.
Douglas noted that this same system could be applied to carnival in order to track the economic impact of all its activities on the economy.
He said that the system would give useful, instructive and timely financial information “on how the carnival dollars roll in and exactly where they filter into our society.”
“Data like this could go a long way towards developing a carnival industry,” Douglas argued. “We in the Ministry of Tourism would like to follow the tourism dollar, and to get a better picture on the impact of tourism on our economy and the spill off effects on the general populace.”
Douglas has suggested a ‘mini parade’ outside of the carnival season for visitors to the island.
“We have seen the participation of our visitors in the street jump up, as well as viewing of carnival bands when cruise ships are in ports,” he stated. “As the next cruise season approaches we expect even greater numbers on our shores; which will increase the number of people who will potentially get involved in the carnival activities and we need to think about some kind of mini carnival that we can put on so that we can showcase the carnival product outside of the carnival season to our visitors.”
Douglas also mentioned the need to sustain a mixture of unique art forms to reflect the true characteristics of carnival. This, he said, can be packaged as a tourism product while at the same time sustaining the vitality of rural carnival.
“So that is something that we need to look at and we need to brainstorm on and we need to execute efficiently for the benefit of the national carnival but at the same time being able to sustain the rural carnival,” he noted.
At the ceremony awards were given to the J’ouvert and Ole Mas, Children Carnival parade, Adult Carnival Band Parade as well as the Carnival Queen Show contestants for 2013.
Mr. Douglas, the accounting of funds spent during tourists visits to Dominica sounds feasible. This will take cooperation from the hotels, restaurants, stores and other areas where they shop. Everyone concerned would have to be notified and relevant information should be requested from them.
I recognize that it will take a few discussions and planning to implement. Some of them may be suspicious of the government’s intention for monitoring the funds which they derive from tourists’/visitors visits and purchases. The government will have to convince them of the reason for amassing this information. Nevertheless, since it is beneficial to your department, I do not see why it could not be implemented. The saying, “Nothing beats a failure but a trial” and, “If at first you do not succeed, try again.”
I wish you well with this new proposed endeavor which is worth a try. Go forth with confidence. If implemented, it will primarily be beneficial to Dominica and nationals.
Mr. Douglas the ‘mini parade’ sounds like an excellent idea, if implemented, would highly please the tourists and provide some sort of entertainment for them, on condition it will not deter them from enjoying the Dominica sceneries and shopping.
If a decision is made, it could be inserted in the Dominica tourist brochures and given to the travel agencies or the Tourist Board’s authorized personnel.
It could be a form of advertisement for Dominica. Upon their return home, they will surely spread the news and others may be eager to visit Dominica.
Just a suggestion. I am wondering if a group of Dominicans dressed in carnival attire; also the carnival queen if available, could greet the tourists when they disembark on the pier, if there is enough space; with music off course. Otherwise, it could take place in the Windsor Park.
As I was reading this article I was thinking EXACTLY what Francisco Telemaque commented. This is a hot air nonsensical proposal! Thus, it leads me to question why do the Politicians in Dominica assume or feel like the people are just plain stupid. A system to tack tourism money throughout the Island is IMPOSSIBLE! You cannot track everywhere Tourists spend their money by electronic means or otherwise! First and foremost, Dominica’s tourism producy falls far behind other Islands in the Caribbean! No real advertisement, high taxes, unsafe ports, congested shopping area, no real fun tourist attractions and the list goes on and on! Ian forget tourism and go back to planting fig my friend! Send for some experts from Jamaica or something because you guys don’t know JACK sbout attracting tourists! LOL!
“An account system to keep track of the revenue generated by tourism as it filters into different aspects of the economy is on the cards for Dominica”(Ian Douglas).
More baloney talk from Ian Douglas: I want to know what sort of accounting system can this guy develop to keep track of the tourist dollar been spent in the country?
The notion not only sound stupid, it makes no sense at all. In the first how is this system going to keep track, unless every tourist visiting the country report to Ian how much in dollars and cents they spent during the eight hours they spent on the island.
If the overnight tourist: those who may spend a few days on the island would also have to report to him how much they spent on hotels, or if they lodged with a friend, how much they gave to their friend for food ect, ect, ect.
Then to find out how it filtered down into the economy; it seems to me every Dominican who obtains some money from a tourist would have to give this guy an account of how, and where they spent the money they received.
You see how ridiculous the so called smart Dominica politicians are?
Now if it is a situation where this guy concentrated on departure taxes, collected from tourist who spent more than five days on the island, that I would have understood, because one could count the pennies received, via the receipts issued when departure taxes are collected.
Other than that, he can only count on the fees paid by the ship operators for the use of the port! In any event Ian Douglas is simply shooting off hot air since election is due shortly.
Nothing he conveyed here made any sense at all!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
It doesn’t make sense because the Minister did not include the statistical systems and methodologies which are developed by the United Nations and the World Tourism Organization in compiling the set accounts. Note there was a well organized workshop hosted by the Central Statistics Office of Dominica which brought Statisticians, experts, professionals, regional and international organization from around the globe to brainstorm the way forward to continue the work that has been started in the field of International Trade in Services which comprises of Tourism Satellite Accounts.
Some people criticize everything. As you consistently criticize, why not offer some sort of feasible suggestion and/or advice or some concrete opinion that probably Minister Douglas could take into consideration? I am certain those comments are read by him and others as a form of feedback.
This is the purpose why DNO allows us to comment. It is not merely for the sake of commenting and consistent criticisms, to let voices be heard and writings read which could be futile words. There is a better and higher purpose why we should offer our views.
Can the minister not suggest something new and expect the opinion of those who hear and read about it? If, in the end it is feasible, it will be implemented. Discussions would ensue prior to planning and implementing this ‘mini parade.’
Here is some information for you. It represents those consistent critics. You may wish to keep a copy of it. I do find it amusing but true.
The Association Skeleton
The body of an organization has four Kinds of bones:
1. There are the Wishbones who spend all their time wishing somebody else would do all the work.
2. There are the Jawbones who do all the talking but little else.
3. There are the Knucklebones who knock everything that every body tries to do.
4. Finally there are the Backbones who get under the load and do all the work.
From 1 to 4, where do you place?
turn the canefield airpoart into a cruse ship poart which will berth about four ships ,turn the turminal and the runway into a dutty free village with all different types of shops,thats when Dominica will be starting to be in the tourisum business,take a look at all of the other caribbean countries,people its all abouy competition
If it’s tourism we depending on, maybe we could learn a Little bit from St.Maarten, but again Ian Douglas got to come up with something, He is feeling the Wind of change
But how comes all of sudden I an get his voice nuh? Lennox have everybody in full campaign mode papa….tell us what else is on the card after so many years. Allu have no vision so make it easy and just resign to save face. Talk, talk, talk, more talking..
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
That shows how far behind we are. So very far behind. This should have been implemented years ago.
I could not agree more!
Oh wake up please. after working withing the cruise industry for over 16yrs on many ships and with different cruise line take it from me, that idea is the worse waste of time idea I ever heard. Cruise ship passengers want to be in and out with the little time that they’ve got. And trust me they will not leave the ship if we have nothing to offer them (DUTY FREE).And believe me they know what they want before they get there. The Bay Front little market is a joke. Can someone please bring forth a proposal to develop that area in the Canfield industrial estate into an Amazing Duty free Zone , Build a proper cruise ship Pier that can hold at least two ships and then we can start talking about Cruise ship Tourist money. We need to stop using that sorry excuse of a pier we have in Roseau. It has been noted as the worse pier to dock in the Caribbean with regards to safety, and I am not talking about people on wheelchair that’s a different story. You know I can go on and on with this stuff but these guys needs to open up their eyes and have a vision. I am fed up of this now.
I agree with you Sir. I to have travelled all around the Caribbean where all the major cruise ships visit and most of the ports in these islands, there are cruise ship villages, with top of the brand name duty free stores. The cruise ship visitor doesn’t like the idea of walking in the traffic in the city, especially in the area by the old market in Roseau, its ciaos when a cruise ship is in port.
The Roseau Cruise Berth was short term thinking by the Dame Eugenia,now is time that we abandon the RCB and start thinking of replacing it with a modern facility with a cruise village to make our visitors more safe and comfortable. The millions invested in the palace would go a long way. And don’t forget the palace is not going to bring in revenue but a new cruise ship berth and a village will bring millions back to the treasury. Poor thinking by the government. They all travel round the globe and I assure they must have realised by now that Dominica is urgently in need of a modern cruise ship berth and a cruise village.
why dont you bring forth the proposal dont you think that would a better idea?
If you want one, the proposal has to be prepared. It will take a few discussions and planning to do so.
I agree with you that is nothing more than talking crap to impress his constituency, there is no real substance to what he is talking about; as usual!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque