“While preliminary estimates of property damage to the tourism private sector are in the tens of millions, we are confident of the sector’s resilience and ability to bounce back,” remarks Gregor Nassief, DHTA President. “One by one, as we get back on our feet, our focus must be on restoring visitor confidence in the island, and ensuring the best possible visitor experience under the circumstances. A rapid rebound of our tourism sector will give a much needed boost to our island’s economic recovery.”
With the tourism high season just around the corner, the DHTA encourages accommodation and tourism service providers to adjust their product offerings to Dominica’s current reality without diminishing the visitor experience. In some cases, the visitor experience may incorporate a level of volunteerism in order to actively engage visitors to the island in contributing to Dominica’s recovery.
“We must send a message to confirmed and potential visitors that is both positive and realistic,” remarks Stephanie Astaphan, DHTA Executive Vice President. “There will be challenges while we work to rebuild, but in return, Dominica will offer its transformative ‘nature island’ experience further enriched by a country and community united in their efforts to rebound.”
We further encourage all owners and operators of tourism enterprises to reach out to their travel trade networks and to share their individual status and operating capacity as well as an update on the communities, natural sites and attractions of interest to their clientele.
“The Association and its members will continue our individual and collective outreach, and pledge our support wherever possible to the national rebuilding and recovery efforts,” adds Ms. Astaphan.
The DHTA recognizes and applauds the work of the Government and related infrastructure and utility service providers on the rapid advance in reestablishing air and road access as well as water, electricity and telecommunications to most areas of the country.
The DHTA also commends our regional travel partners for their rapid response in establishing alternative routes and services to facilitate travel into and out of Dominica. While Douglas-Charles Airport (formerly Melville Hall) works towards restoring commercial operations, frequent and convenient air and sea access options are available through the Canefield Airport (DCF) and all major seaports, thereby connecting Dominica to our regional hubs in Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico.
For a full report on operative tourism enterprises and travel options, contact the DHTA Office on 17 Castle Street, Roseau, Dominica via telephone (767) 440-3430/616-1055, email [email protected], or check our Facebook page www.facebook.com/DHTADominica for regular updates.
The Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association is a non-profit organization providing centralized and innovative information, advocacy, and leadership for the tourism industry in Dominica.
List of Operating Accommodation and Tourism Service Providers
As at 9AM, Monday, September 7, 2015, the DHTA is able to confirm that the following accommodation and tourism service providers are operational:
Accommodation
Anchorage Hotel, Whale Watch and Dive Centre
Atlantique View Resort and Spa
Aywasi Kalinago Retreat
Bay View Lodges
Beau Rive*
Bon Marche Guest House
Calibishie Cove
Calibishie Lodges
Campeche Bar Cuisine and Guest House
Caprice Studio Apartments
Carib Territory Guest House
Caribbean Sea View Holiday Apartments
Castle Comfort Lodge*
Chez Ophelia
Citrus Creek Plantation*
Classique International
Cocoa Cottage
Comfort Cottages
Crescent Moon Cabins
Diamond View Cottages
Domcan’s Guest House
Emerald View Apartments
Exotica Cottages
Firefly Cottages
Fort Young Hotel
Garraway Hotel
Grace Apartments
Harmony Villa
Heaven’s Best Guest House
Hibiscus Valley Inn
Hideout Cottage
Hummingbird Inn
Island Bay Boutique Hotel
Itassi Cottages
Ken Anthony Guest House
La Flamboyant Hotel
Le Petit Paradis*
Liberty Jungle
Ma Bass Central Guest House
Manicou River Resort
Mr Clean B&B
Narakiel’s Guest House
Pagua Bay House Oceanfront Cabanas
Pepper’s Cottages
Picard Beach Cottages
Picard Family Guest House
Poinsettia Hotel
Pointe Baptiste Estate
Portsmouth Beach Hotel
Rejens Hotel
Riverstone Cottages, Bar & Grill
Rodney’s Wellness Retreat
3 Rivers & Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge
Roseau Valley Hotel
Sea Cliff Cottages
Sea World Guest House
Secret Bay*
Serenity Lodges
St Aimee’s Guest House
St James Guest House
Sunrise Farm Cottages
Sutton Place Hotel
Tamarind Tree Hotel and Restaurant*
The Beach House
The Champs
Tia’s Bamboo Cottages
Vena’s Paradise
Veranda View
Villa Verde
Villa Vista
Tour Operators
Al Dive
Anchorage Dive
Cool Breeze Tours
Choice Taxi and Adventure Tours
Dive Dominica*
Dominica Marine Center
Dominica Tours
Eddie Tours & Taxi Services
East Carib Dive
Fort Young Dive
Forest Wash and Bar
Hibiscus Tours
JC Ocean Adventures
Jon Vee Tours
JTAS*
Just Go Dominica
KHATTS
Lambee & Sons Taxi & Tours Services
Nature Island Adventure Tours
Norelle’s Taxi and Tours Services
Raffoul Luxury Tours
Rainbow Yoga
Rendezvous Catamaran Tours & Taxi
Wellness Architects
* Closed for regularly scheduled maintenance
Please continue to submit information on the operational status of accommodation and tourism service providers to the Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association, 17 Castle Street, Roseau, Dominica, via telephone 1-767-440-3430 / 616-1055 or email [email protected] or contact us with any information or concerns which would help us assist our members with recovery and visitor care. This information will be shared with the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority, and will inform the response and recovery plan for the tourism industry.
The DHTA will continue to update and share this list as reports become available.
The DHTA also wishes to update our membership, visitors and the public on the following:
Air Access Update
The Douglas-Charles Airport (formerly Melville Hall) is closed. While non-commercial service is permitted, the relevant authorities are working diligently to restore commercial operation in the shortest time possible.
The Canefield Airport is open.
Effective August 31 through October 25, WinAir will commence daily service from St Maarten (SXM) to Dominica, Canefield Airport (DCF) and return using twin-engine otters. Contact handlers HHV Whitchurch & Co. Ltd 1-767-448-2181 / 225-1100 for more information.
Effective August 30, Caribbean Helicopters will operate daily service from Antigua (ANU) to Dominica, Canefield Airport (DCF) and return. Contact Agent HHV Whitchurch & Co. Ltd 1-767-448-2181 / 225-1100 for more information.
Effective August 30, Hummingbird Air will resume regular service connecting Dominica, St Croix, St Thomas, and Tortola, BVI. For more information, contact 1-767-449-2102 / 275-2368.
Effective August 28 through September 15, LIAT will operate additional daily services into Guadeloupe. Customers holding a LIAT ticket to / from Dominica will be allowed to change their flight to / from Guadeloupe, Martinique or St Lucia at no charge. It is the responsibility of customers taking this option to ensure they meet the appropriate requirements to enter Guadeloupe, Martinique or St. Lucia. Customers will also be responsible for any associated costs for the ferry service to / from Dominica. To change travel dates or for more information, customers should contact the LIAT Call Centre from Antigua – 1-268-480-5582; toll free from the rest of the Caribbean – 1-888-844-5428 and from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands – 1-866-549-5428. M-S 07:00 – 22:00 and S/Public Holidays 07:00 – 18:00.
Effective August 31 through September 16, Seaborne Airlines will operate additional daily service from Puerto Rico to Guadeloupe and regular service from Puerto Rico to Martinique. Customers holding a Seaborne ticket to / from Dominica will be allowed to change their flight to / from Guadeloupe or Martinique at no charge. It is the responsibility of customers taking this option to ensure they meet the appropriate requirements to enter Guadeloupe or Martinique. Customers will also be responsible for any associated costs for the ferry service to / from Dominica. For more information, visit www.seaborneairlines.com.
Sea Access Update
The Roseau Ferry Terminal is open.
Effective August 30, L’Express des Iles will resume regular service connecting Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia via ferry. For more information, contact Agent HHV Whitchurch & Co. Ltd 1-767-448-2181 / 225-1156.
Effective September 8 only, Carib Sun will operate a ferry service from Antigua to Dominica (Portsmouth and Roseau) and return. Contact HHV Whitchurch & Co. Ltd 1-767-448-2181 / 225-1100 or Jenny Burke 1-268-778-9786 [email protected] to register.
Road Access Update
The relevant authorities are making significant progress in restoring or diverting road access across the island. As at September 7, 2015, the following major roadways are accessible: Roseau to Scotts Head, Roseau to Laudat, Roseau to Portsmouth and on to Capuchin, Vieille Case/Pennville or Marigot, Roseau to Marigot via Belles, Roseau to Castle Bruce and on to Petit Soufriere or Marigot through the Kalinago Territory, Roseau to Delices via Rosalie, and Roseau to Grand Bay. Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution and in many cases four-wheel drive is required.
How Can You Help?
We encourage members of the public, both here and abroad, to participate in our recovery and rebuilding process by volunteering time, donating water, non-perishable food items and medical supplies to the Dominica Red Cross, Federation Drive, Goodwill, Dominica, contact telephone 1-767-448-8280 / 440-2483 / 615-8414 or email [email protected] consigned to the Commonwealth of Dominica Relief Aid, ATTN: Mr Gregoire Thomas, c/o DEXIA, PO Box 173, Bayfront, Roseau, Dominica TEL: 1-767-448-2780 and/or contributing financial resources via official crowd funding presence of the Dominica Red Cross: https://www.youcaring.com/red-cross-of-dominica-421257.
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