Sustainable Ecotourism Development - Lessons from Dominica
 
With no flat land for sugar cane cultivation and with the continuing demise of the Banana industry, the tiny mountainous island state of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic that is 64 times larger; has 127 times the population and has 17 times more tourists) has literally placed its bets on Ecotourism.  With the assistance of the European Commission, Dominica has embarked on the implementation of a forward- looking Ecotourism Development Programme (ETDP) to the tune of €6 million between 2003 and 2006.  
 
Dominica's Ecotourism Development Programme (ETDP) aims to contribute to the diversification of the Dominican economy by focusing on sustainable eco-tourism development as a source of income, jobs and other socio-economic benefits for the local community.
 
Implemented by Tourism Intelligence International on behalf of the Government of Dominica, the Ecotourism Development Programme aims to strengthen the capacity of public and private sector and communities to sustainably utilise ecotourism resources; to promote ecotourism; to strengthen managerial skills and professionalism; to encourage private sector development and community involvement in ecotourism development.
 
Located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, Dominica is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands, encompassing an area of nearly 290 square miles.  Of volcanic origins with mountains reaching heights of nearly 5,000 feet; rainforests that are considered among the last true island-based rainforests in the world; more than 365 rivers, waterfalls, boiling lakes, and pristine coral reefs, Dominica's natural diversity is truly unique.  Dominica is also home to the last remaining settlement of the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean - The Carib Indians - and also home to the largest number of persons who live beyond 100 years! 
 
A place where man and nature live in harmony, where adventurers and nature lovers alike revel in the Island's eco-tourism options which include scuba diving, snorkelling, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking/trekking, whale, dolphin and bird watching, sailing and fishing, Dominica's focus on sustainable ecotourism appears to be well-placed.
 
But: 

• Can Sustainable Ecotourism really Eliminate Poverty?
• Can Tourism be an alternative to Bananas?
• Have Local Communities truly benefited from Ecotourism? 
• What is the role of the private sector? 
• Is Dominica's brand of Ecotourism Sustainable? 
• What are some of the mistakes that should be avoided? 
• What can we learn from the Dominica Experience?

You are cordially invited to the ITB (International Tourism Exchange) in Berlin on Friday, 10. March, 13.00 to 13.45, in ICC Berlin, Saal 9 to the Panel Discussion on Sustainable Ecotourism Tourism Development - Lessons from Dominica that will be hosted by Messe Berlin and moderated by Tourism Intelligence International.

 Panellists at the Berlin session on 'Sustainable Ecotourism Tourism Development - Lessons from Dominica' will include the Honourable Yvor Nassief, Minister of Tourism or Dominica, a successful private sector entrepreneur who has taken up the position of Minister of Tourism (at a peppercorn fee of EC$1 per year or Euro 30 cents) because of his commitment to develop the tourism sector and the people of Dominica. Minister Nassief wishes to "help other nations develop their own ecotourism programs by sharing the knowledge and insights we gained through our experiences". Mrs. Esther Thomas, Chief Technical Officer from the Ministry of Tourism is not only passionate about Ecotourism but handles the day-to-day operation of the programme and has a wealth of experiences to share; Mr. Sobers Esprit, Tourism Intelligence International's Community Tourism Development Specialist - a writer, actor, activist and NGO with hands-on experience in building community tourism, will share the Dominica Ecotourism Experience from a community perspective; and Dominica hotelier Mr. Sam Raphael, who is leading the island's most striking ecolodge development, Jungle Bay, will share the challenges of developing and operating a eco facility on a tiny island and how locals are involved in and benefit from ecotourism.
 
Dr. Auliana Poon, Managing Director of Tourism Intelligence International, one of the leading consultancies in the field of Sustainable Tourism, will moderate the session. In attendance will also be Gernot Ott, Tourism Intelligence International's German Programme Manager, based in Dominica.
 
Should you have any questions, or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Dr. Auliana Poon
Managing Director
Tourism Intelligence International - Reinventing Tourism

In Europe
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