Clement Marcellin Responds to the Minister of Tourism Projections

It is undeniable that the decline of Agriculture over the last 21 years has made Dominica’s economy more dependent on Tourism despite the countless niche opportunities to brand Dominica as a unique and major leader in Eco- tourism. With the proper product development and marketing strategy, tourism can have a fast transformative impact on Dominica’s faltering economy. Now, more than ever, Dominica needs to take active steps to develop an aggressive and bold new tourism product development and marketing strategy.

The new target of 200,000 visitor arrivals by 2025, touted by the Minister of Tourism, raises fresh concerns about the Labour Party Administration’s seriousness in moving tourism to the next level.

People Need to Know.

As surprising as it sounds, the Dominican people need to know whether this meagre target will be enough to address the chronic low occupancy of our hotels, how many new and sustainable jobs that will be created, and whether this target is nearly enough to sustain any linkages with other sectors of the economy. Any effort to increase visitor arrivals to our shores is commendable but the Honorable Minister must clarify how her Ministry’s new target will change the current trajectory and bring much needed life in what appears to be a very lethargic sector in recent years.

Marketing Plan?

Honorable minister, please tell us whether your target meant a yearly increase of 200,000 arrivals by 2025 or a net increase to 200,000 by 2025. If the former, where is the complimentary development plans to enhance arrivals?  How do you envision growth in this industry post Covid-19 pandemic?

I would also commend the minister if she could further explain what percentage of the anticipated arrivals will be from cruise or stayover. This would help the public appreciate where the most lucrative opportunities are and provide insights as to how entrepreneurs should position themselves to realize maximum benefits. It is a well-known fact that stayover tourists are the larger contributors to the economy whilst a cruise visitor will only spend an average of USD 31.97 in Dominica, according to a 2018 report, which is miniscule relative to other islands.

If the latter, it is also incumbent on the minister to further breakdown her targets for each year, that is, from 2021 to 2025 in an effort to enlighten the public and give credibility to the ministry’s “aggressive” tourism endeavors. After all, this information would undeniably show a clearer growth trajectory and provide the basis for any future public or private investments in tourism. Which time frame do we anticipate most rapid growth?  We need answers.

Adjusting Tourism to Covid-19

Finally, we understand that any meaningful strategy for increasing arrivals into Dominica must capitalize on the untapped markets closer to home including the French Antilles, St. Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, among others. The question now is, what additional measures are being considered to support this thrust given the present realities of the pandemic and the increase cost of travel in the region, not to mention poor air access into Dominica?

It would be remiss of me not to recognize your five-pillar strategy for increasing tourist arrival and its potential to make Dominica a leader in diversified tourism. What has not been done well over the last 21 years, in my opinion, is bringing these synergies into play. This Government has still not yet carved out the enabling policies and infrastructure to harness and exploit sports, wellness, and culture related tourism opportunities in Dominica.

Tourism is Everybody’s Business

I wish to also state that every citizen of this beloved island has the right to participate in the national discourse on tourism development which for years, we have promoted as everybody’s business.  If we truly embrace this powerful slogan, I have no doubt that our tourism vision for this island will be the most consultative, robust, and strategic in the region.

Delivery Time is Now

Honorable minister, tourism is our bread and butter. Dominicans need the quickest turnaround in tourism in the least time. Our small hotels which are ably supported by our farmers are waiting, our taxi men are waiting, our tour operators are waiting, our vendors, and our tour guides are all patiently awaiting. Now is delivery time!

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