Tourism and cultural consultant Sobers Esprit has urged national planners and tourism stakeholders to significantly expand Dominica’s focus on festival and sports tourism, describing the sectors as powerful drivers of economic activity once the island’s international airport project is completed and becomes operational.
Speaking during a recent programme, Esprit said the construction of the international airport in Wesley, which is expected to open in 2027, presents a major opportunity for Dominica to attract larger numbers of visitors through international events and competitions.
According to him, the increased air access will make it easier for teams, entertainers, and visitors to travel to the island, allowing Dominica to host a wider range of major sporting events and festivals.
Esprit noted that sports tourism could grow well beyond traditional cricket tours if the country actively promotes its facilities and sporting culture.
“Festival tourism, sports tourism. We used to have problems to bring in major international teams to Dominica, but I think it will be a lot easier to attract some of the big test playing nations now,” he explained.
He added that Dominica has the potential to attract visitors for several different sporting disciplines, not only cricket, if organizers and tourism authorities coordinate their efforts. “So sports tourism clearly is one of the areas that we should focus attention on,” he said.
Esprit also highlighted the significant economic impact of festivals, explaining that large cultural events generate strong spending across the tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment. “For us in the creative industry, festival is an important segment. Not just tourism by itself, festival generates really huge spend,” he stated.
He pointed out that Dominica has already invested heavily in flagship events such as the World Creole Music Festival and Carnival, but said additional niche festivals could also be developed to diversify the island’s tourism offerings.
“People who come for festivals, we know the numbers are fantastic,” Esprit said, noting that music, entertainment, and cultural events play an important role in attracting visitors to the Nature Isle.
With improved air access expected in the coming years, he believes Dominica has a unique opportunity to strengthen its reputation as a destination for cultural experiences, sporting competitions, and international events.
This article is copyright © 2026 DOM767
