Minister of Tourism, Senator Robert Tonge, has revealed his plans for the $12.54 million allocated to his ministry under the 2019/2020 national budget. He outlined how the allocation is to be used to develop various cultural sites and tourist attractions in the country.
According to Tonge, several cultural sites in Dominica will be upgraded to international standards with the additions of various enhancements.
“This will involve the construction of gazebos, benches, picnic tables and rehabilitation of the washroom facilities,” the minister said. “Our Morne Bruce site, one of our very important sites which will include the rehabilitation of walkways, the construction of the gazebo and the installation of the appropriate signage.”
Tonge added that solar systems will be installed at Trafalgar Falls, Emerald Pool, Fort Shirley and Indian River among others. He said better water catchment will also be put at the sites to make them more resilient as tourist attractions of repute. Furthermore, the betterment of the cultural sites will preserve the history of the sites in relation to that of the country.
The tourism minister also made it known that the commanders quarters at Fort Shirley will be rehabilitated, and the Kalinago gateway and 1930’s memorial will be better developed into tourist attractions. He further stated that Geneva Heritage site will equally be developed. The Indian River exit trail will be developed for the safety of users, the Marigot/Melville Hall road will be beautified, the Old Methodist Church will be rehabilitated, the Old Mill Cultural Center will be completed again, and the water mill, as well as tunnel, will be fully restored.
Other projects in the pipeline include better road signage, upgrade to the Roseau Museum, construction of the Purple Turtle beach boardwalk, development of the Champagne Beach, and enhancement works to the Red Rocks.
Tonge said the tourism industry trained 227 persons last year to work in the tourism and hospitality industry, and just recently about 91 people graduated from some skill acquisition program in Portsmouth. He said the Organization of American States (OAS) has also perfected plans to train 94 more people to raise the standards of projects executed in the tourism and hospitality industry in Dominica.
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