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Dominica tops for sustainability
Dominica was officially ranked as the top sustainable island in the Caribbean and among the top ten in the world by National Geographic Traveler.
National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations (CSD) surveyed conditions on 111 selected islands and archipelagos in its fourth annual Destination Scorecard survey, which appears in the November/December 2007 issue of National Geographic Traveler.
An independent panel, which consisted of 522 well-traveled experts and aided by George Washington University in Washington DC, considered the qualities that make world-wide island destinations unique using six criteria weighted according to importance: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and outlook for the future.
With a score of 77, Dominica (pronounced "Dom-in-eek-a") tied as the number one rated sustainable destination in the Caribbean and is noted for being a "Beautiful country. Still largely forested, amazing biodiversity, great bird watching and scuba diving." The article also states "The Nature Isle is aptly named - awesome power and incredible beauty of nature unspoiled. Its lush mountains, indigenous population, art, craft, agro-based products and small-scale accommodation facilities all add to the opportunity for sustainable tourism development."
The survey was conducted by the CSD, whose mission is to help protect the world's distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship. The CSD works to attain this goal through "geotourism," defined as "tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of the place being visited - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents."
Known as "The Nature Island" and located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, the independent nation of Dominica (pronounced "Dom-in-eek-a") 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 oceanic 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. A place where man and nature live in harmony, adventurers and nature lovers alike will revel in the Island's eco-tourism options which include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking/trekking, whale, dolphin and bird watching, sailing and fishing.
Dominica continues to be recognized for its attributes and sustainable tourism efforts, including being the first country in the world to receive Benchmarking designation from the prestigious eco-tourism organization Green Globe 21 and ranking as the only Caribbean destination in the top five happiest countries on earth in the Happy Planet Index (compiled by Britain's New Economics Foundation).
Thousands welcome Tarina
Thousands of Dominicans turned out on November 12 to exuberantly welcome home the 2007 Digicel Rising Star, Tarina Simon. The 19-year-old was last Saturday declared the winner of the 2007 Digicel Rising Star competition which was held in Barbados. A massive welcome awaited her upon her return home. At the Melville Hall Airport, a large gathering comprising relatives, Digi Girls, fellow nursing schoolmates, friends and well wishers among others, met Simon, all set for a motorcade that travelled from Melville Hall to Roseau and grew as it wended its way to its ultimate destination Click hereï¿‚ï¾ for more details.
2007 Annual General Meeting
The DHTA held its 2007 AGM on Thursday 4 October 2007 at the Evergreen Hotel at 4:30 pm. The feature sopeaker was the new CEO of Discover Dominica Authority. Other invited guests included Marvlyn Alexander James, Head of Marketing at DDA.
A new Board was elected as follows:
President: Jonathan Vidal
Vice-President: Simon Walsh
Treasurer: Kennedy Dear
Secretary: Elise Johnston-Agar
Directors: Steve McCabe, Sam Raphael, Frederique Huard and Nikima Royer.
Mrs Judith Pestaina remians on the Board as Immediate past President.
Tourism Awareness Month is May! Click here for more info
The Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA) hosted Mr. Jonathan B. Tourtellot the Geo-Tourism editor of National Geographic Traveler on Monday 2 April 2007 at its Food for Thought Luncheon at the Garraway Hotel. Mr. Tourtellot originated the concept of geotourism, defined as "Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place-its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents."
He is the primary author of the Geotourism Charter, a set of principles now being adopted by various countries and regions around the world. He helped develop the study Geotourism: The New Trend in Travel, the first major survey of U.S. traveler behaviour and attitudes about sustainability and destination stewardship.
He launched National Geographic's new Geotourism MapGuides, unique in their requirement for participation by the communities involved and has spoken at international and national venues.
The Luncheon was well attended and saw the presence of some 80 persons including the Minister of Tourism Hon. Yvor Nassief.
Canadian Cricket Excutive Predicts WEST INDIES Victory FULL STORYBridal Package for Hotels...click here for more details.GENERAL MEMBERSHIP Meeting
THE DHTA held An "Evening with Ms. SUSAN 'SUE' SPRINGER " on 29 January 2007.
Ms. Springer is the Executive Vice President of the BarbadosHotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and the President of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Associations Executives (CSHAE). She has worked as a hotelier herself and held theposition of President to the BHTA. The establishment of a tourism fund and other issues of importance to the industry were discussed as well as funding opportunities at the OECS/EDU. There were approximately 40 persons in attedance inclusive of the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Yvor Nassief.
The meeting took place at GARRAWAY HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM at
TIME: 6:00 pm
PRICE: $20.00 for members
$25.00 for non-member
Fact Sheets
Events
DHTA Calendar of Events
View our Calendar of DHTA and member's Events.
For a full listing of Dominica's events & holidays, visit Discover Dominica.com's Calendar.
Newsletters
Our Recent Newsletters
Jan 08- DHTA's President's New Years Message
Dec 06 - Jan 07- DHTA Newsletter 3 Cover page
Page 2- ISP and DHTA's Upgraded Website
Page 3 - Creole in the North
Pages 4-5 - DHTA Tourism Awareness Month and Awardees
Page 6- Disaster Mitigation for Tourism
Page 7- Scope
Page 8 - DHTA in 2006
Feb-2006 - DHTA Newsletter 2
Jan-2006 - DHTA Newsletter 1
Podcasts
Click here for our podcast of the 40 minute speech by Mr Vanderpool-Wallace (18Mb, MP3 format)
Just in! Listen to the podcast of the "Geo-Tourism Food For Thought Luncheon" with Jonathan Tourtellot of Natonal Geographic. Please go to the Members Only Area to sign-in and listen.
Press Releases
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22.05.08 - DDA, DHTA, Reunion Symposium / Workshop
22.05.08 - Awards Dinner Ceremony
09.05.08 - Secondary Schools' Tourism Challenge
09.05.08 - Industry Concert
08.02.08 - Oil Refinery Issue
27.11.07 - A Sucessful Approach to E-Marketing
12.11.07 - DHTA Hike Press Release
24.08.07 - Press Release Hurricane Dean, from DHTA's Pres
21.08.07 - Hurricane Dean Letter to all concered
21.08.07 - Hurricane Dean Statement from Minister of Tourism
11.06.07 - DHTA Naure Hike & Month of Activites a Success
21.05.07 - DHTA Bar tenders and Waiter's Race Compeition
02.06.07 - Institutional Strengthening - Websites promoting Dominican services