Tourism Minister Ian Douglas has urged stakeholders in the tourism industry to put stringent measures in place to keep the country’s tourism sector afloat in the wake of a global financial crisis.
Stakeholders were engaged in a meeting Monday at the Public Service Training Center, geared at articulating the vision for the tourism industry and highlighting some of the achievements and ongoing activities in order to obtain feedback.
Douglas told the official opening ceremony that the task ahead is not an easy one and the impact of the global financial crisis has made working in tourism more challenging and demanding.
“The demand for our products and services will need to be given greater priority as the crisis slowly returns to a state or normalcy. We all must recognize that if our customers were discerning and demanding prior to 2009, they have become even more discerning, price conscious and looking closer to home to reduce the carbon footprint,” he said.
Douglas also encouraged the general public and stakeholders to consider the nuances of visitors and consumers of the country’s tourism product and services.
He said the global financial crisis has given stakeholders an opportunity to reassess how tourism development affairs are conducted.
“Our industry has risen to the top of the national economic agenda and we must do all within our powers to maintain that lofty position, but staying on top is not easy. This will require a definite rethinking of how we look at tourism as a country. We must work to make this industry visible among all the population and policy makers and develop joint strategies and programmes to build a more world class industry,” the tourism minister advised.
I agree with the point that all stakeholders have an opportunity to reassess how tourism development affairs are conducted. That being said I think we have started the year on the wrong foot. Our tourism product is eco tourism and the amount of cruise ships that are coming to Dominica does not indicate any level of sustainability.
We all know that it is more worth while to go for overnight stays so why is it that we are pushing for so many ships. This can not be in the best interest of an eco tourism product.
I would recommend that the main stakeholder, the Government, start revisiting the issue with regard to the ships and overnight stays.
MR.DOUGLASS ALL OF ALL U NRRD TO THINK PROPERLY HOW U CAN ASK FOR MORE TORIS I DONOT VOTE ALL U THAT IS NOT RIGT II VOTE UWP BUT DOMINICANS LIKE TO KILL TORIS THE SAW FOR SAW
Mr. Douglas, I think we need to talk. Now this is how it should be, I agree with your assessment. Absolutely the truth, we have to rethink how we look at Tourism in Dominca. We have an ideal opportunity, and I hope for the sake of our development, we do not throw away, this very unique position we are in at this time of our journey.