Roseau, Dominica – (December 14, 2020) Dominica joined the rest of the Caribbean in celebrating Caribbean Tourism Month 2020 this November.  Caribbean Tourism Month was first celebrated in 2011 and is an initiative of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).  Caribbean Tourism Month seeks to create opportunities to increase awareness of the importance of tourism to the Caribbean region, to generate media coverage of the tourism product in each destination and to celebrate the region’s diverse tourism product.  This year’s activities were held mainly via social media through the CTO’s The Caribbean Awaits campaign.

The theme for the digital campaign was selected to coincide with the reopening of borders and to let visitors know that the Caribbean is ready to welcome them.   Dominica’s participation in the activities was through social media posts using #TheCaribbeanAwaits, encouraging social media followers to post photos of things they can’t wait to experience when they return to Dominica.  In the month of November Dominica made 14 posts in affiliation with CTO to their many social media followers.

Additionally, Dominica participated with CTO in an online demonstration of how to make herbal teas facilitated by Dafrica Thomas of Jungle Bay and a webinar presentation to travel advisors on Dominica’s Safe in Nature commitment featuring managed experiences for visitors.

CEO/Director of Tourism of Discover stated, “Our participation in the Caribbean Tourism Month’s The Caribbean Awaits campaign comes at the right time for us, as we continually monitor safety measures to combat coronavirus, while gently coaxing potential visitors to travel to Dominica.  Our participation in the campaign has opened avenues to promote Dominica to a wider online audience with shared social media posts on the CTO and Discover Dominica social media pages as well through our presentation to travel advisors in the US. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation as we seek new and innovative ways to keep our industry afloat in these trying times.”

Following is a summary of tourism related activities from the Ministry of Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives and Discover Dominica Authority for the month of November:

• On Sunday, November 1, Dominica welcomed the return of LIAT Airline to the Caribbean skies following a seven-month absence. This was a test run flight from the V.C Bird International Airport in Antigua to Douglas-Charles Airport. LIAT will operate a limited schedule of flights when it launches its commercial schedule which will return connectivity to its network.
• Discover Dominica Authority partnered with the Rotary/Toastmasters Club in the UK to provide information on the Safe in Nature visitor managed experience programme. This event was attended by over 250 of travel professionals and destination enthusiasts who are now better informed and ready to sell the Nature Isle once the UK borders open.
• Discover Dominica Authority developed the Sa Ka Fête Dominica campaign to encourage travellers from the Caribbean to visit Dominica. Up to 12 properties have signed up for the campaign and are partnering to offer travellers packages for on island stays along with airfare from Caribbean Airlines and interCaribbean Airways.  The campaign was digitally launched on December 10.
• Dominica was the only Caribbean island to make the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Best of the World 2021 list for adventure. The list is compiled by the National Geographic Traveller (UK) in collaboration with its 16 local language counterparts of National Geographic Traveler. The list highlights destinations for future travel in five categories – Sustainability, Nature & Wildlife, Adventure, Culture & History, and Family Travel. The list will be published in the Jan/Feb 2021 edition of National Geographic. National Geographic has been in existence for over 130 years and its publications reaches people in 172 countries and 43 languages every month.
• Dominica was accepted to join a global campaign initiated by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) which issues its Safe Travels stamp to countries who meet select health and safety criteria to safely implement tourism activities during the coronavirus pandemic. This is an indication that the country’s standards are in keeping with the WTTC’s global safe travels protocols. The Safe Travels Stamp is a global safety and hygiene stamp for travel and tourism designed to address COVID-19 and similar pandemics, and World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines are incorporated in the protocols. Dominica will join regional counterparts who are already part of the programme. The Safe Travels initiative allows the destination to use the Safe Travels stamp in its marketing and promotion of the destination and award the stamp to tourism stakeholders who meet the criteria for offering their services in keeping with the established health and safety protocols to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
• Discover Dominica Authority organized a press conference with the executive team of Air Antilles on November 30, 2020. At this press conference, the CEO of Air Antilles Mr. Serge Tsygalnitzky spoke of the partnership and relationship that the airline has had with Dominica, from operations with a Twin Otter to Canefield, to new service from Martinique to the inclusion of Dominica as the only country to be part of the Caribsky Alliance, an alliance of airlines meant to facilitate travel with the Caribbean.
• Malinda Hassell is Dominica’s new Destination Marketing Manager. Ms. Hassell joined the team at Discover Dominica Authority on November 17, 2020. She will provide leadership oversight in implementing the Authority’s marketing plan under the guidance of the Ministry of Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives. Hassell brings a wealth of experience to the team, having served as Marketing Manager of the Tourism Corporation Bonaire and Communications Manager of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association. Her experience in coordinating media, e-marketing campaigns as well as destination management expertise and being part of steering committees and task forces, will also be a useful asset for the Authority.  Ms. Hassell holds a degree in Tourism Marketing & Consultancy from the Netherlands and has over twelve years’ experience in the tourism industry.
• Discover Dominica has provided training for up to 250 taxi service providers (operators and drivers) which commenced in November. This was part of our sensitization to the COVID-19 pandemic and it was accomplished in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Plans are underway to train tour guides and other stakeholders within the tourism industry.

For more information on Dominica, contact Discover Dominica Authority at 767 448 2045. Or, visit Dominica’s official website: www.DiscoverDominica.com, follow Dominica on Twitter and Facebook and take a look at our videos on YouTube.

Photo Credit: Ambo visuals