Roseau, Dominica – (December 11, 2018) Discover Dominica Authority has embarked on a number of initiatives to bolster Dominica’s tourism industry. Firstly, Tourism Intelligence International has been contracted by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Discover Dominica Authority to review and update the destination’s National Tourism Policy, Tourism Master Plan and Discover Dominica Authority’s Corporate Strategy and Action Plan. The proposed updates to the policy and strategy documents will be presented to stakeholders for input and the final deliverables will be presented in a phased approach but before September 2019. Tourism Intelligence International was selected from a shortlist of 13 consultancy firms and has had over 20 years’ experience in tourism policy development.

In efforts at revitalizing the tourism sector, Discover Dominica Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for mutually beneficial cooperation with Airbnb. Airbnb provides homeowners with the opportunity to list their property on its website for rent to visitors. This allows for significant economic growth and offers visitors a local experience. Airbnb indicates that upwards of 2000 guests were hosted at Airbnb registered properties between July 2017 and July 2018.

Additionally, the Authority has also engaged the services of Mr. David Hollander of InterVistas to conduct an air access study for the destination. In February 2019, Mr. Hollander will present a report on ways in which air access into Dominica can be improved before the advent of an international airport.

According to Colin Piper, CEO/Director of Tourism of Discover Dominica Authority, “These initiatives send a clear message that we are undertaking a structured approach in tourism development. As we chart the way forward with a revised national tourism policy and tourism master plan, we will incorporate programmes and activities that focus on adapting to changes in our climate and being more resilient in the way in which the tourism sector functions.”

For more information on Dominica, contact Discover Dominica Authority at 767 448 2045. Or, visit Dominica’s official website: www.DiscoverDominica.com, see Dominica’s updates on the tourism sector post Hurricane Maria: www.dominicaupdate.com, follow Dominica on Twitter and Facebook and take a look at our videos on YouTube.

About Dominica: Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation that includes: hiking and adventure, cultural events/festivals, diving and water sports, whale/dolphin watching and canyoning adventures. Dominica lies south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. Air travelers can connect to Dominica on Air Antilles, Air Sunshine, Coastal Air Transport, LIAT, Seaborne Airlines, or WINAIR from the surrounding hubs of Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If travelling by sea, travelers can connect to Dominica on L’Express Des Iles ferry service from Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia and on Valferry from Guadeloupe and Martinique.