There is no doubt that in the last few years, tourism has actually brought in much more foreign exchange to Dominica that the once dominant banana industry. According to the latest statistics, tourism contributed EC$179 million in 2007.
But tourism can do more, much more, particularly in meeting Dominica’s need for jobs, sustainable jobs.
The only way we in Dominica can get on sustainable path of development, is to help these onging operations and enterprises that continues to offer sustainable growth in employment; for example the local hotels and guest-houses who are struggling to make ends meet.
Despite these challenging, global economic times, tourism continues to offers an opportunity for job creation and foreign exchange earnings.
Government needs to demonstrate more confidence into the Tourism sector by providing more assistance, in particular, the many Dominicans who have invested in hotels and guest houses – they’ve been literally struggling to survive for years. As we all know, some have been forced to actually close their doors.
It is time for the government to put some of the tourism revenue earned back into the local tourism industry, which in turn will create more sustainable jobs for more Dominicans.
