Presentation Outline…  Introduction to Discover Dominica Authority (DDA)  Role of DDA - Marketing - Product Development  Benefits Available  Challenges  Conclusion

Introduction to Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) Discover Dominica Authority Act, 2007 Managed by a Board of Directors

Mission Statement To increase stay-over visitors to the country, thereby increasing revenue to the Commonwealth of Dominica by strategically positioning and marketing Dominica as a premier adventure and responsible tourism destination in tandem with ensuring quality, environmental and cultural sustainability.

Main Goals Increase visitors numbers Increase visitors expenditure Combination of the two

Role of DDA Tourism Pillars  Nature  Culture (Creole heritage, national and community festivals, Kalinago)  Adventure

Departments/Units Marketing Product Development - Quality Assurance Unit - Cruise - Other Sector Development(yachting, community,education tourism, Kalinago, Waitukubuli National Trail. Among others).

MARKETING Primary Markets France & the French West Indies North America English Caribbean United Kingdom Germany & Scandinavia (Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden)

Trade and Consumer Shows –Held in all primary markets each year. Examples include: –WTM (UK) –ITB (Germany) –Re-Discover (Caribbean) –DEMA (US) –Salon de Plongee (France) –Private sector is always encouraged to attend in order to promote their businesses

Research & Statistics Unit DDA forged strong partnerships with the Dominica Statistical office, Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority, Customs & Excise Division, Immigration Department and private sector stakeholders to advance the gathering of data and analysis of visitor and other tourism sector information.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Guides the overall tourism product through the Tourism, Policy & Master Plan – Quality Assurance Unit – Certification/License based on tourism standards developed under the Tourism Standards and Regulations) Act 2005

Certification Why is certification important? - Assurance to visitors – safeguard business and the visitor. - Liability - Good quality which will lead to returning visitors

Certification Certification Process - Visit the office – for information on standards and the certification process. - Standards available on DDA website Training through the Dominica State College.

Tourism Standards- Leaders in the Region Food & Beverage Preparation Travel Agencies Tour Guides Tour Operators Vending Craft and Merchandise Accommodation Facilities Rented Vehicles Tourism Taxi Services Water Sports

Tourism Standards- Leaders in the Region Cont’d Hair Braiding Guidelines on Home Stays for Major Events DRAFT Guidelines on Home Stays for the Kalinago Territory DRAFT Guidelines on Home Stays for the Waitukubuli national Trail DRAFT Sites and Attractions DRAFT Camp grounds

Cruise Industry Schedule of ships – private companies (tour operators & ship agent) Engage/encourage ship to visit Dominica. Who Sells Tours to Ships? Tour Operators, not DDA – need insurance e.g. $250,000- 1million.

National Tourism Site Audit & Enhancement Programme Increase tourism attractions/diversify product offering Enhance product Create linkage between tour operators & community projects carriers. This is critical for tour operators and community partnership and other tourism service providers particularly the accommodation sector.

DDA Sector Programme Development Education Tourism Home Stay for the Waitukubuli National Trail Home Stay for the Kalinago Kalinago Territory Dive

Legislation & Enforcement & Policy Tourism standards – plan to review – spearheaded by the DDA. Provide input in regional tourism, programme … DDA placed a freeze on tourism certificate for taxi operators (351) and now vendors (232) in Roseau – due to limitation of space. Dominica Watersports Association Guidelines

Education, Awareness & Training OAS, SFA, WNT, Forestry, Community lectures, events of various programme. Dominica State College. Plans for a more comprehensive approach for tour guides for with tiered levels (e.g. tour guide training: merging & revising training programmes to fill in gaps with various stakeholders).

Benefits Available Brand awareness through co-op advertising, fam/press trips etc. Additional marketing avenues beyond what you market Securing your business through certification Enhanced partnerships--- leads to increase business opportunities Employment opportunities both directly and indirectly

Challenges Lack of Communities Operating as a Business Management plans needed – who, when, what, how, budget….? Risk Management needs to be included in such plans. Review your plans to continually improve. Partnership and ownership

Challenges Lack of Communities Operating as a Business Thinking outside the box- too many people invloved in one sector leads to market surplus. Use of traditional knowledge– this is valuable and should not be left out. Safety and Security– protect your investment – insurance; loans; visitors. Outside influence- coups in other countries; disasters (natural e.g landslide;hurricane,earthquake, technological e.g plane crash and biological e.g health epidemic);among others

Conclusion Be proactive Use resources available Tourism is a business, so treat it as such. You have the power in your hands it’s about how you conduct business to embrace opportunities and challenges at the community, national, sub- regional, regional and international levels

DiscoverDominica.com Contact :Discover Dominica Authority 1st Floor Financial Center Kennedy Avenue, Roseau Tel: / Fax: Website:

Thank You!!!