Island is a green tourist retreat
IAN STALKER
Dominica’s tourism board is quick to acknowledge that that island isn’t at the forefront of Caribbean tourism development.
And that suits it just fine.
“We’re what the Caribbean was 40 years ago. We’re not over-developed,” says Jerry Grymek of LMA Communications, which represents Dominica’s tourist board in this country.
“We focus on preservation and conservation.”
Grymek reports that two-thirds of scenic Dominica “is nature,” with visitors finding rainforest, waterfalls and beaches, prompting Grymek to label the island “picture-perfect to the point where every picture you take, no matter how bad you think it’s going to be, will be picture-perfect.”
Among new accommodation options is the “eco-chic” Coulibri Ridge, a property whose owner has a varied background that includes having worked on special effects on the movie Jurassic Park.
The “off-the-grid” property uses the likes of solar and wind power and rainwater in its operation.
Dominica has beaches but hasn’t tried to make a splash in the all-inclusive resort scene, with Grymek saying tourism authorities want visitors to explore the island, rather than spend their time on resort grounds.
He says outdoorsy sorts will be quick to appreciate Dominica, with the likes of hiking, biking, horseback riding, diving and snorkeling available.
He also labels Dominica the whale-watching capital of the Caribbean, with area water being an ideal temperature for cetaceans in the October-May season. Whale-watching tours are available, with those tours “having a 95% success rate.”
Tourism authorities note that the first two letters of the country’s name reads Do, underscoring, they say, that there is plenty to do in Dominica.
Meanwhile, Grymek reports that American Airlines has upped service on a Miami-Dominica route it launched in 2020.
Dominica is building another airport that will be able to accommodate long-haul flights, leading Grymek to hope that the island will then see non-stop service from a Canadian carrier, which would be a boost to the island’s tourism.
