The Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority(DDA) will hold the 2024 Cruise Stakeholders Symposium at the Goodwill Parish Hall on September 10-11, 2024. Cruise service providers are invited to this highly prestigious event, which promises to be an important gathering for all stakeholders in the cruise industry.
The symposium will start with the cruise season on 9th October 2024. This event is a valuable opportunity for service providers to prepare for the hike in the number of visitors from numerous cruise ships. Attendees will gain awareness of current cruise trends, visitor experience improvement strategies, and resources to upgrade their business.
According to Dominica’s Tourism Master Plan 2005-2015, cruise visitor numbers increased by 117% from 2003 to 2004. Dominica invested in port infrastructures to attract more visitors and created a unique marketing concept as the “Nature islands of the Caribbean.”
Dominica is one of the Caribbean islands that BBC Travel has named one of the top sustainable destinations to travel to in 2024. Cruise vacations provide a perfect combination of adventure, relaxation, and luxury, allowing travelers to explore multiple destinations. From the open seas to charming port towns, cruise ships cater to diverse interests and experiences.
The Cruise Stakeholders Symposium gathers industry leaders and service providers like tour operators, hotels, transport services, and vendors for a comprehensive forum. This two-day event covers crucial topics for service providers in the cruise industry as it is not only a network event.
Dona Regis-Prosper, the Secretary-General and CEO of The Caribbean Tourism Organization, called attention to the importance of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference as a platform for strategic discussions on competitiveness and sustainable growth in the region’s tourism sector.
The State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) took place in Grand Cayman and ran until September 6th at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa. The conference was themed “Caribbean Tourism: Powering Our Lives” and was organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).
Some important topics discussed at the conference were Sustainability, Technology and innovation, Aviation and Connectivity, Cruise tourism, leadership and Legacy, Business continuity planning, and more. This meeting represented several member states from the region partnering with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation. These countries include Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Turks and Caicos, British Virgin Islands, and more.
The symposium will focus on improving service quality for cruise passengers with an ideal and enjoyable experience. Workshops and presentations will cover best practices for exceptional customer service, handling peak-season demands, and creating memorable visitor experiences.
The symposium will also help cruise service providers to connect with industry peers for potential partnerships. On-site health screenings will be available for essential checks, highlighting the importance of service providers maintaining good health in the demanding cruise tourism industry.
2024 Cruise Stakeholders Symposium organizers encourage all interested craft and souvenir vendors, tour guides, hair braiders, taxi services, and tour operators to RSVP as soon as possible. They can be connected through csergenton@gmail.com or 255-8249 or 255-8226.
