The Ministry of Tourism is set to introduce new initiatives as part of its mission to boost the tourism sector.

Minister for Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives Hon. Denise Charles says, the Discover Dominica Authority is preparing to launch two new campaigns, while seeking new air access opportunities for the island.

“I wish to inform that Discover Dominica Authority is preparing to launch an exciting new campaign, ‘My Dominica Bucket List’ and the ‘Nature Island’s Fitness Challenge.’ We continue to look for new air access opportunities which facilitate direct or one stop routes to Dominica. And we share in the progress of our fellow island nations as they are able to progress from high risk classification to low risk meaning no quarantine. Our two critical hubs for access to major source markets, Antigua and Barbados have been able to do so in recent times and we applaud their efforts in that regard,” Hon. Charles stated.

The Minister announced new travel routes to Dominica as more airlines resume flight, as well as new protocols for yachters to Dominican shores.

“Caribbean Airlines ha recently announced direct flights from Trinidad to Dominica and resumption of the Dominica, Barbados New York route from July 17. Our protocols were also revised for yachters. Once vaccinated they can enjoy the Safe In Nature experience and once medically cleared they can be granted coast wide permission to move freely and enjoy designated ports. Fully vaccinated sea farers can now wait only thirty minutes for antigen tests results and be medically cleared after only one day,” the Minister explained.

Due to Dominica’s exceptional management covid-19, the island has been recognized as one of the world’s safest travel destinations.

“Strict adherence to protocols have ensured us the World Travel and Tourism Council safe travel stamp, reinforcing Dominica’s health and safety protocols meet globally accepted standards. CDC categorization at Level 1 ratings, confirming Dominica as one of the destinations with the lowest risk for travelers. And of course recently we earned a well-deserved spot on the UK’s green list for quarantine free travel,” Hon. Charles noted.

Minister Charles called on Dominicans to get vaccinated as well as continue to follow all guidelines set by health authorities.

“My plea is that we all continue to encourage vaccination towards herd immunity. We hear of the emerging variants but science also shows that vaccines can significantly reduce the spread of the variants and stop them from mutating. These new protocols are by no means an indication that we should lapse. We have to continue to insist on the general protocols which have become p[art of us,” Minister Charles added.

The Dominica State College (DSC) held an honors prize giving ceremony on Monday July 19, ahead of the official graduation ceremony which will be held on Thursday July 22, 2021.

The ceremony was held to recognize and present awards to the students who will be graduating with Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude Honors this year. 

Miss Gail Sharplis was the motivational speaker at the ceremony.

“Be unique, be amazing, be you. Always pray, keep working hard and stay focused. Disturbances will come, distractions will come. It may be in the form of a family member, a relationship, it will come but you have to be able to stay focused no matter what,” Ms. Sharplis stated.  

Tarsha Tyson, Honor Student expressed congratulatory remarks to her fellow peers.

“I would like to congratulate my fellow awardees on their phenomenal academic performance. It is because of your hard work and perseverance that we are here. On behalf of all of us being honored here, I would like to express a sincere thank you to the lecturers, management and staff of the DSC for providing us with the guidance skills and knowledge that have allowed us to excel during our journey at the DSC,” Ms. Tyson noted.

After forty-five years of being pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of EC $2.70 to US $1.00 the Eastern Caribbean Dollar remains strong since July 1976.

The EC dollar serves as a source of stability for the people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) and the fixed exchange rate provides confidence in its value on a regional and international level.  

One key element in maintaining the value and stability of the currency is the ECCB’s management of the region’s pool of foreign reserves which has allowed the peg to continue unchanged for the last forty-five years.

The stability of the EC dollar can be attributed to the founding fathers and framers of the currency union, including past governors, the monetary council and the board of directors whose efforts have allowed the currency to remain stable in spite of various threats to the global economy over the years.

The Division of Culture has launched a calendar of events for the emancipation celebrations 2021.

The Emancipation Celebration is geared towards building greater awareness about the significance of the abolition of slavery and also the impact which slavery and emancipation have had on our modern-day society. It also celebrates and highlights the African retentions which are still with us today and the African influences on our culture.

Acting Minister for Culture, Hon. Oscar George called on citizens to take part in thei year’s celebration.

“The aim is to focus on the creative aspect of our African heritage rather than the enterprise of slavery. I would like to encourage you all to go out and participate. Let us appreciate and keep our culture alive and let us strive to inculcate all aspects of our culture in our young people,” Hon. George stated.

Cultural Ambassador, Mr. Wayne Benjamin noted that the preservation of Dominica’s heritage is critical, going on to encourage stakeholders is to share their ideas and join in the cultural movement.

“I can assure you the work between the cultural division and myself won’t stop here. I believe that we are at a point in time where we can make big improvements within the culture and give the energetic boost that is needed. I envisage somewhere in the future our culture will be heard and displayed on the world stage and Dominica’s name and flag will be celebrated. Culture is not just about music and the arts but about our way of life, the way we walk, the way we talk, the food we eat and our lifestyle,” Mr. Benjamin stated.

The Emancipation Celebrations includes three African Dress Fridays island wide on July 16, 23 and 30. Afro Artistic, will be held on Saturday July 24 at the Old Mill Cultural Centre.

The Division of Culture and the National Reparations Committee will host an emancipation lecture on the topic ‘British Reparations for Caribbean Slavery on Wednesday July 21 at the Old Mill Cultural Centre. Paix Bouche Drummers will host a Cultural Night on Friday, July 30 at the Paix Bouche Primary School and the Emancipation Day Celebration will come to an end on Sunday, August 1 at Hampstead Beach.