Minister of Tourism Ian Douglas has welcomed Venezuelan Airline CONVIASA back to Dominica, calling the airline the link or bridge that will cause the relations between Dominica and Venezuela to flourish further and expects significant growth in the tourism sector because of it.
The Minister was speaking last week after the reintroduction of CONVIASA flights to Dominica, last Thursday and he went on to state that this, along with previous contributions to the airport project, would indicate another benefit of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“We have seen the benefits of this great friendship and this great partnership in other areas of Dominica. We have seen this relationship blossom in education, in housing, in energy, in infrastructure and we have seen the strength of this relationship in transportation today. What we are doing today is opening the nature island, Dominica, to the rest of world and we are inviting our friends in Venezuela to be part of this great relationship,” said Douglas.
He anticipates that like other Caribbean nations that have experienced major boosts from an influx of Venezuelan tourists, Dominica will receive a similar increase that will magnify the country’s tourism product in the view of the wider world.
He remarked, “Venezuela and all of Central and Latin America presents tremendous potential for the growth of Dominica’s tourism industry. In 2009, Curacao’s tourism industry grew by 40% because of Venezuelan tourists and we feel that the same can happen in Dominica and even much more.”
Douglas also hopes that the reintroduction of the airline into Dominica would again facilitate the Social Tourism Program, which he deemed previously successful.
He stated, “All of our stakeholders in the tourism Industry in Dominica were very happy to receive our brothers and sisters from Venezuela. The cultural exchanges that we shared together while the program was on and the experience of our Venezuelan brothers in Dominica was beneficial to both of our peoples and we hope that with the resumption of CONVIASA Airlines, we can re-establish the Social Tourism Program and we can re-establish all the other tiers, all the other stages of the program that was the desire of President Hugo Chavez.”
CONVIASA serviced Dominica for three years until September last year, when an accident led to a reshuffle at the company and in its return, the airline will provide bi-weekly service between Dominica, St Vincent and Venezuela on Tuesdays and Thursday, arriving in Dominica at 6:05 pm on both days.
Reword that to mercenaries rather than passengers in the light of what is happening in Libya.
Ian boy, oo ka joke. You really mean more cocaine right? Why didn’t you go to Azerbaijan and get us an influx of tourists from there, look like North America boycotting allyou.
because is venezuela alu negative..if it was usa alu would be glad..alu dunnno usa jus as bad
POOR IAN – I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR HIM – HE IS SO FAR REMOVED FROM REALITY THAT HE HAS TO SAY THINGS TO CONVINCE HIMSELF THAT THEY WILL HAPPEN – ALAS!
Chavez Jr., you will remember in out last exchange, in which I commented that there are poorer people in Venezuela than Dominica, and said our focus should be bringing tourist in on international flights?
I mentioned North America, and the European nations!
If you were a keen reader, you would have noticed that paragraph appeared from out of space, and could hardly connect to the rest of my argument, the reason I slipped that in there was specifically for this purpose.
I knew Ian, would return to talk some crap, or garbage about Venezuelan tourist will be brought to Dominica by that local airline!
The man mind is so complicated, that what comes out of his mouth each and every time sounds like some strange beast of the field passing gas.
Assuming that the tourist which Ian Douglas is convinced will be coming to Dominica, from Venezuela because of flights originating in Venezuela, how come those same tourist had not consider visiting Dominica, prior to the reintroduction of this airline from Venezuela in the past?
How many Dominicans do we know takes an annual vacation, and decide to travel around the Caribbean?
Very few, and the same thing I assume apply’s to the Venezuelans, since the majority of Venezuelans are in the same boat paddling backswords up a creak like most Dominicans!
We in Dominica will talk any crap simply to justify our reluctance to face truth that one of our obstacles in the way of progress in our country, is the lack of an International Airport, and no matter how much you Ian Douglas babble that will not change our situation, while we play politics with it, it is the more expensive the project becomes, take it or leave it!
Even those who we believe should make sense, half are even more incompetent than people who are totally illiterate. Ian Douglas is part of that bunch.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
To Francisco Telemaque
I do not think you understand or have any concept as to what constitutes a Tourist or what Tourism is. Your concept is so outdated and shows how little you understand the subject matter. Why is it in this modern times you still hold to the idea that tourist can only come from Europe and North
America or that the idea of a tourist is someone with affluence.
I have told you before there are two types of facts those that are researched with credibility and them you have facts that are made up, the latter you seem to do very well.You asked the question, as to why is it that Venezuelans were not coming to Dominica prior to the establishment of CONVIASA, well here is your answer, convenience, the same as the Ferry service between the French Islands to Dominica. French people were coming to Dominica, now there is a ferry service that makes it more convenient and so you have an increase of French Nationals to Dominica, what is it that makes it difficult for you to understand.
In the summer time have you noticed the amount of Dominicans visiting the US and Canada for vacations. For the last two years have you not heard about the Swinging Stars Cruise through the Caribbean, what Dominicans are doing, are they not going on vacation, are they affluent, off course not.How can you make an ignorant statement associating Dominicans and Venezuelans in their travel habits based on poverty. The population of Venezuela is 28,000,000 we are only 78,000 how silly are you to associate and compare the two Countries regarding affluence, poverty and people ability to travel and have a vacation. When you make the statement that we Dominicans will talk crap why don’t you say you are the one talking crap criticizing your Country when progress is being made. Yes you may have a difference in opinion but to criticize and call people illiterate shows arrogance and ignorance on your part not understanding the matter at hand.
Gary, I can give you more information about tourism, than you can ever imagine!
First of all, I have traveled to many places of the world as a tourist, places you perhaps would yearn to go and visit. I just got back to Los Angeles, Friday of last week, from a more than three weeks visit to Canada, and other states across America.
I drove across the county, covering thousands of miles, so I do believe I know what tourism is all about since I have many times in the past, fly, and sail on tourist ships around the world, in addition to sailing my very own ship in Europe, and the West Indies, even sailing it into Dominica in 1977, and if you do not believe me, go to W. H. V. Whitchurch and enquire if they were ever the agent for a Cargo Ship called M. V. Felskove, which was based in Antigua, Actually me, and my former wife family owned that ship.
Let us leave it at that because do not wish to open the Pandora’s box; I have spoken my piece based on Ian’s garbage, and I am leaving it at that, sorry, I have no intentions of engaging you on this one.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Hasta Luego
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
I did not see that comment about Swinging Stars:
How come they could not secure the visa, to vist Canada, for Caribanna, now called Scotia Bank Carribanna, boy you are playing a dangerous game with me, you see, but if anyone is ignorant, and arrogant it is you, and I may add you, seems to be one of Dominica’s pompous waste of time bourgeoisie who think you, knows it all, but you to me are nothing more than blowing in the wind.
You talk about Dominicans coming to America on vacation, I can tell you how many of them who has not return to Dominica; the tourist always return home you know: so you can stay their and point your flat nose up in the air, and dream, I am not dreaming I have lived it, and continues to live it.
You wanted arrogance there you have it, pick the mot out of your own eye before you try to pick the mot out of my eye, you will not be able to pluck mine out!
You talking crap about Swinging Stars, Swinging Stars, well want employment where they sit right now, there are other Dominicans working on Ships playing music entertaining tourist, so what’s the big deal, shut your mouth, because you do not have a clue what the hoots you are talking about.
And if you are Ian Douglas in disguise, all the more reason for you to shot your mouth; and since I know nothing about tourism, let me inform you; I was the man who introduce the plan of a Hollywood movie producer and director to Ian Douglas, who wanted to hold an annual film festal in Dominica, ask him what has he done with the information I gave to him to pass on to Skerrit?
And if you do not believe what I said about the Film Festival, go and ask Athie Martin, if I ever spoke to him about it, the details here I will leave out, but this goes to show you how incompetent Ian proves himself.
You do not know the half of it nor anything about this kid Francisco, so just shut up!
If Ian was not dumb, he would have known that such a festival if held in Dominica annually, would indeed bring more tourrist from North America, and the Caribbean, to Dominica than any flight originating in Venezuela on a daily basics can, in addition such a venture would have created employment for some of our local youth who walk the streets without a job right this night here.
Boy, shut you mouth okay, you like Ian simply babbles, because you want to be heard.
I wish Skerrit would fire him!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
ALLU BRING MORE CASH FOR GOLD PEOPLE…..SMH…DISAPPOINTED IN IAN!
Pure nonsense about increase in tourist. Is it a ploy to bring in undercover military from Venezuela? The Venezuelan culture of gold for cash is having a negative impact on D A. What is the value of the Bolivar ? Somebody talk to us in Dominica as if we are inteligent people. Stop trying to fool us
ER IAN, DON’T YOU MEAN INCREASE IN REFUGEES?
AND SHOULDN’T IT READ ‘CON AIR’ INSTEAD OF “CONVIASA?”
HHMM
, JUST WHEN MY PARO ACCOUNT WAS DIMINISHING.
Do you think only tourists will be coming? i seriously doubt.
Venezuela has hyper-inlation and you will certainly experiece it you go there. DOM has a stable currency in comparison. How willing are the banks to change Bolivares for EC? Trinidad won’t do it.
HOUSING IAN? HOUSING? AND ALL THOSE HOUSES EMPTY!!!!
MAYBE YOU ALL SHOULD START RAFLING THEM INSTEAD!!
Just pure ignorance here, these comments are just based on heresay. A question to those who have commented. Show me statistics of the amount of vnezuelans who have entered through Melville Hall, have been arrested with illegal drugs or related offences. People the majority of Venezuelan Nationals who were arrested for drug related offences came by boat. So I dont c u all point.Am currently based in Venez and on a daily basis hundreds of them travel as tourist to the neighboring islands as Curacao, trnidad and Tobago, Bonaire.So why not Dca, common. There are many poor as well as many rich Venezlans. So lets stop being negative.
It is 2011, you are imbeded in a communist country led by and one man, one opinion party and you have the odacity to come on here and say that? Shameless
you cannot even spell you expect people to take your comment seriously? hahahahaha
the minister missed out on one thing an influx of cocaine, and Dominica becoming one of the trans shipment point
CIA…WHILE I AGREE 200%…WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT MAY ACTUALLY BE THE INTENTION OF CHAVEZ…WHILE THE GOVERNMENT ENSURE THAT THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS ARE CRIPPLED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SUCH ILLICIT DRUGS…WE SEE THE VENEZUALANS BEING FACILITATED….MONEY FOR GOLD???? OR VENEZUELANS CONTACTS COMMING TO MAKE THIER DOMINICAN LINKS TO ARRANGE TRANSHIPMENT FOR THIER DRUGS???…
ITS AS CLEAR AS AN AFTERNOON SUNSET THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTEREST IN FIGHTING THE DRUG TRADE…THAT SAME FACILITATION MONEY CAN BUILD VILLAS AND BUY LAND FOR THOSE CONCERNED.
I am a true believer that failure to try is an attempt at failure However I do hope that this effort is not one of desperation. I am cautiously optimistic even while reasoning seem to tilt towards skepticism. I am doubtful of this Venezuelan tourism concept because Ian and the government have not done a good job (like in many other instances) convincing me that this Venezuelan tourism will or can workout for us in Dominica. At this juncture the only favorable factor in this Venezuelan tourism idea is the fact that there is a Chavez and PM Skerrit relationship. Apart from this relationship the real variables and logistics that would indicate a real potential for Venezuelan tourism is really non existence.
Which other island in the Caribbean has experienced a major influx of Venezuelan tourist? If Ian is referring to Trinidad let it be known that there have always been tourism exchange between T&T and Venezuela – way before Chavez. In fact there had been significant migration between the two countries -particularly from Venezuela to T&T. So my question to Ian is – which Caribbean island are you referring to?
Ian and his counterparts must get on board with the program- We are living not in the days of RBD or even the “ I like Mike” Days. Support your claims and statements with facts and figures so that ALL ( not just the gullible) shall fully and truly understand. It would have been prudent to present statistics that indicate that during the 3 year operation of this Venezuelan airline that we had a significant influx of Venezuelan visitors. Really ? Really? If so then why the Venezuelan tourist who are so eager to vacation in Dominica did not find alternate ways to get to Dominica while CONVIASA was out of commission? Just a question!!!!
Porsie Radical
I totaly agree with your comment especially your last paragraph stating that the minister should provide the statistic on the annual amount of visitors form venezuela during the airline last 3 years operating in Dominica.
In addition to that i would like to ask the minister , what have his office done differently in terms of marketing the tourism product in venezuela and what other variables has he taken into consideration before anticipating a “SIGNIFICANT” growth in thw sector.
I still applaud the effort of your department Ian but more can be done ( especially with marketing ) at this present time.
Mr. Douglas,
I met with you in April this year.
I was impressed with your reception to Canadians.
We are constructing a home in Dominica and are doing so because the people here are incredible.The Island beautiful.
It is a place I recommend to all.
Yes every bid of tourism is important, but keep in mind the element that may also arrive. This can be controlled at the border.I have built a home here as I intend other projects. These truly hang on the costs involved and the taxs currently inplace.I have many suggestions, the first being keeping the Nature Island… as such. You should have the Government re-evaluate the taxation on vehicles….new vehicles at 25%… over 4 years up to 8 years old.. 40% and those over that 80% ,this would reduce the polution from vehicles greatly. The tax on auto parts should be 25% all in. With this people could afford to maintain their vehicles and the roads would be safer.
One last suggestion is to Talk with the Canadian Prime Minister..Mr. Harper I am sure he would be interested in discussing doing business on Island… The Canadian economy has held somewhat strong and people there are willing to spend their money on a place like Dominica.
Larry B.
What has this got to do with Conviasa flights??
No international airport no investment. investment are you kidding me
I would really like some statistical data on Con Air’s previous impact on our tourism and economy.
This is the first i have heard of it beyond the Cash for Gold scandal
I predict an influx on cocaine through CONVIASA.
Very true!
Why you all are so negative?
you know i am fed up with those “why you all are so negative comments”
we need to look at realty and the reality is that this cash for gold thing has gotten out of hand. you mean there was no other airline to bring venezuelan tourist here before?
I learnt on DNO as long as one does not support your view then it means u are being negative.
Tourism has fall in Dominica,people are not visiting and not enough flights as we do not have proper air access.That’s the reason for Chavez helping Domoinica with this plane load of poor Venezuelans who cannot afford a visit to Dominica.Ian last dog and his traitor leader government cannot attract proper visitors with money to the island.
why are some of you bent on destroying your country’s image? I really wonder if those of you who respond so negatively to anything positive , are really Dominicans.I dont read these negative comments from other islands whenever something positve is spoken about.check out the other affiliates to DNO. Read their their comments. Do u sense the anger and bitterness that is so often manifested our comments. Get over it Dominicans….. country first before politics and politicians. They come and go but we have generations behind us who will inherit this beautiful country.
INFLUX OF TOURISTS, INFLUX OF MORE ILLEGAL DRUGS, INFLUX OF VENEZUELA’S UNWANTED CRIMINALS AND JAIL BIRDS, INFLUX OF MORE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, INFLUX OF MORE WEAPONS TO GET RID OF OUTSPOKEN DOMINICAN PATRIOTS.
WE’RE NOT STUPID ANYMORE, IAN.
I like mr. Douglas’ optimism but the two weekly Conviasa ATR flights would only bring in max. some 100 visitors from Venezuela/week, not necessarily all tourists (…that is if nobody gets off in St. Vincent first!). Given that most Venezuelans are hard pressed for U.S. Dollars I doubt we will see a spending boom, unless our tourist industry is happy to accepts Bolivars instead!?Sure, every bit helps but I would put more effort into getting European and N. American visitors to our shores to improve the cash flow of our tour operators, hoteliers and vendors.
Hmmmm….he’s saying that like it’s a bad thing. Who knows, perhaps it is.
MR. DOUGLAS ALL YOU NOT HELPING LIBYA FIGHT NATO AGAIN MAN?
Mr. Douglas, I have known you from little boy days growing up in Portsmouth since I am from the same community, I have great respect for you and admire you for the office you hold and your achievements. I don’t think that I have ever seen you in the form of that fish known to everyone as a “SOL”, the fish with both eyes on one side. We all know the one right. However, it seems that you are now portraying that look. It’s quite promising, to see that inroads are being made to increase air transport into Dominica, which will in turn provide employment for all interested persons. However, I do hope that the Entry and Exit point at the Melville Hall Airport and the Immigration Department will be significantly enhanced to ensure that known or unknown criminals do not use that mode of transport to enter our island, commit crimes and simply leave without a trace. There is no smoke without fire. You seem to be very pleased with the reintroduction of the CONVIASA airline; don’t get me wrong, we all are. But we live in a very modern world now where criminals would embrace any opportunity they can put their hands on to achieve their goals.