Popular Searches

  • Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, D.A.H was Sworn into Office ..

    News

  • Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA)

    Directory listings

  • J. Astaphans & Co. Ltd.

    Directory listings

  • Dominica Bike Fest 2024

    Events

  • Cashier

    Jobs
Find Out more

Denise Charles-Pemberton

Hon. Denise Charles

Denise Charles-Pemberton is a Dominica politician and accountant who has become one of the leading figures in national development, particularly in tourism and transport. Serving as Minister for Tourism, International Transport, and Maritime Initiatives, she brings business acumen, regional leadership, and an emphasis on sustainability to her role. She also represents the Soufrière constituency in Dominica’s House of Assembly.

Early Life and Education of Denise Charles-Pemberton

Born and raised in Dominica, Denise Charles-Pemberton pursued her early education locally before moving on to formal tertiary studies. She attended Dominica State College, where she laid the academic foundation for a career in finance. With a strong interest in business and numbers, she went on to study accounting and later built a career in the financial sector.

Her training and early professional experiences in financial management would later prove essential in her political roles, giving her a firm grasp of economic planning, fiscal discipline, and strategic investment.

Professional Career in Accounting

Before entering politics, Charles-Pemberton worked in accounting across both public and private sectors. Her work focused on budget planning, organizational auditing, and business administration—roles that exposed her to national and corporate systems of financial governance. She became known for her detail-oriented approach and her ability to manage resources prudently.

This experience gave her unique credibility when she later assumed ministerial responsibility over tourism and transport—sectors requiring significant investment, international negotiation, and financial foresight.

Political Career and Constituency Work

Denise Charles-Pemberton began her formal political career in 2016 when she contested and won a by-election in the Soufrière constituency, succeeding Ian Pinard. Running on the ticket of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), she won with 70% of the vote—a decisive mandate that reflected strong grassroots support.

She was re-elected in the 2019 general election, confirming her popularity and paving the way for her appointment as Minister for Tourism, International Transport, and Maritime Initiatives. As a Member of Parliament, she has focused on community upliftment, infrastructure improvements, and economic opportunities for Soufrière residents, particularly through tourism linkages and youth employment.

Ministerial Responsibilities and Leadership

As Minister for Tourism, International Transport, and Maritime Initiatives, Charles-Pemberton holds one of the most influential economic portfolios in Dominica. Her responsibilities include:

  • Developing and marketing Dominica’s eco-tourism brand, leveraging the island’s natural beauty while promoting sustainability.
  • Overseeing national transport connectivity, including airlift agreements, cruise partnerships, and seaport upgrades.
  • Advancing maritime policy and infrastructure, from yachting services to international shipping regulations.
  • Leading tourism recovery plans, particularly in response to natural disasters and global challenges like COVID-19.

Under her leadership, the ministry has expanded community tourism programs, supported digital marketing campaigns through the Discover Dominica Authority, and enhanced regional and international transport arrangements.

Regional and International Roles

In July 2022, she was appointed Chair of the OECS Council of Ministers of Tourism, where she has worked to harmonize tourism strategies across Eastern Caribbean states. Her leadership promotes sustainable tourism models, shared marketing platforms, and improved intra-regional connectivity.

She also represents Dominica in international tourism bodies and actively participates in discussions with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), bringing attention to small island states’ challenges and opportunities.

Personal Life

In November 2023, she married Daniel Pemberton and adopted the hyphenated surname Charles-Pemberton. The marriage marked a new personal chapter while she continues to serve actively in national and regional roles.