Discover Dominica Authority facilitated a team from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) from November 9 – 11, 2023 on a mission to renew the OECS Common Tourism Policy. The team comprised of Maria Fowell, Senior Technical Specialist: Tourism, and Dr. T. Jennifer Edwards, Strategic Planning, Policy & Development Specialist: Tourism. The goal of the mission was to assess the opportunities, challenges, and policy gaps in advancing a climate-smart, resilient, and sustainable tourism sector and the blue tourism economy in Dominica post COVID-19.
The in-country mission successfully obtained input from focus group discussions consisting of local tourism industry stakeholders within the public and private sectors. One of the mission’s objectives was to better understand the various stakeholders’ issues, strategies and policies to ensure that they operate as viable enterprises in tourism and the blue economy. The mission also sought to engage the Ministry of Tourism in understanding tourism development priorities, the gaps in tourism development areas, and the opportunities that exist to expand tourism and increase its competitiveness.
Discover Dominica Authority and the Ministry of Tourism are pleased to support the OECS Common Tourism Policy Mission. DDA anticipates future collaborative efforts in enabling developmental opportunities from the updated Common Tourism Policy. A more attractive, sustainable, and resilient tourism destination can be created through this coordinated efforts.