Dominica -- nature at its best Island boasts
many mountains, forests
Come,
Travel with us ...
Date: Thu 21-Oct-1993
Paper Page: 16
Publication: Daily Nation
Byline: Cheryl Harewood
DOMINICA, dubbed, the "nature island of the Caribbean", is perhaps the
most
naturally beautiful and different of all Caribbean destinations.
Dominated by towering mountains and primordial rain forests, criss-crossed by
rivers and water falls, Dominica is situated at the northern end of the
Windward chain of the Lesser Antilles and is the largest of this island group,
lying between the two French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Rectangular in shape, it is 29 miles long and 16 miles wide, and is volcanic
in origin. Agriculture is the mainstay of the island's economy with bananas
being the main crop, followed by coconuts.
Tourism, however, has contributed much to the economy, having grown
significantly over the past years. In fact, Dominican tourism and government
officials have started implementing various projects to enhance tourists
facilities and increase tourism revenue.
Already, the island's huge shopping facility and waterfront area Bay front has
been refurbished and there have been improvement in Dominica's transport and
amenities services.
The hotel plant has not been excluded. According to the Division of Industry
of the Dominica National Development Corporation (NDC), Dominica's hotel plant
is expected to increase dramatically over the next two years.
With Dominica fast becoming a favourite Caribbean holiday destination for
those persons interested in nature tourism, scuba diving and an invigorating
yet, restful vacation.
Investors, both local and foreign, are presenting proposals to the division
for establishment of small to medium-sized hotels which will provide quality
and personalised service to guests. Dominica's present hotel plant capacity is
643 rooms.
This is expected to increase to 700 by the end of 1993, 820 by 1995 and over 1
000 rooms by 1997. Applications received over the last year suggest that 12
projects may provide an additional 164 rooms.
Projects which are expected to be implemented over the longer term include a
150 room conference hotel, to be developed under Dominica's Economic
Citizenship Programme and a 50 room high quality nature resort.
While most of the proposed facilities will be locally owned, opportunities
exist for joint venture arrangements, or for fully foreign-owned tourism
development projects.
The bottom line is that Dominica's tourism industry caters generally to the
nature lover and is a growth industry which, to this point, maintains
opportunities for a very personalised Dominican experience in unspoilt and
natural surroundings.
When you visit, you'll be greeted by friendly Dominicans, including Arawaks
and 3 000 Carib Indians, who originally inhabited the island.
The Caribs reside in the Carib reserve, an area of about 3 700 acres in the
north east of the island.
Popular places of interests include the Boeri Freshwater crater lake, and the
Boiling Lake, the largest of its kind in the world and one of the world's
natural wonders.
This lake is kept bubbling by the volcanic heat of the crater in which it is
cupped.
There is also the Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of Roseau, Cabrits
National Park, a most unusual park just north of Portsmouth; Emerald Pool, a
grotto filled by a waterfall and surrounded by breathtaking beautiful plants;
Indian River, the La Vie Domnik Museum, Dominica's Mini Zoo, Morne Trois
Pitons National Park, Sulphur Springs and Trafalgar Falls.
Also take time to splash around in one of Dominica's beautiful beaches and
observe the island's architectural beauty.