Yachting will be reopened again very soon in Dominica. The yachting sector is known to boost revenue for the tourism industry in the country, but it has been stagnated since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the island earlier this year. However, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stated that the sector will be reopened in the next few weeks.
The prime minister said the government will agree on a reopening date with relevant stakeholders after a meeting to be scheduled. He stated that the meeting will iron out problematic issues such as protecting tourists and citizens from the risks of coronavirus infection, and adherence to health and safety protocols instituted by the Ministry of Health.
Skerrit said the government and stakeholders will announce on a reopening date after the meeting holds shortly. He noted that the Portsmouth Association of Yachting Services (PAYS) will be invited to the meeting and other stakeholders will equally be there. He added that the yachting sector has a great potential for economic growth and that it contributes significantly to employment creation and income generation in the country.
“I am hoping that we can have this announcement of a date immediately after the meeting,” Skerrit stated. “We are to do our best to utilize this, especially as it relates to community tourism…that is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we have to offer.”
In October 2015, former Tourism Minister Robert Tonge, disclosed that yachting is an economic and tourism boost to the country since yacht visitors tend to stay longer when they visit Dominica.
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