Dominica’s path toward sustainable tourism took center stage today during a panel discussion hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), bringing together public officials and private sector leaders for a focused conversation on environmental responsibility, green certification, and branding alignment.
Aligning Tourism with Environmental Integrity
Dominica’s approach to tourism development is undergoing a significant evolution. As the only Caribbean destination with the Green Destination certification, the island has positioned sustainability not as a sideline project but as a core identity. During the recent “Nature Talks” event, panel moderator Monelle Alexis of Discover Dominica emphasized that today’s travelers are not just looking for scenic getaways, but places that reflect environmental consciousness.
Tourism authorities are therefore not only promoting nature, they are preserving it. This means balancing tourism growth with climate realities and ecological fragility. According to the panelists, developing in harmony with the environment is no longer optional; it’s essential.
Private Sector Voices Push for Deeper Commitment
Hubert Winston of the Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA) stressed that the private sector must take greater responsibility for implementing green practices. From waste management to energy use and sourcing materials locally, Winston believes that the island’s tourism credibility rests on the actions of its service providers.
Likewise, Craig Sands of Secret Bay called for a clearer definition of sustainability within hospitality. His message was clear: luxurious experiences can and must be low-impact. Secret Bay’s award-winning model, which blends eco-conscious design with high-end comfort, is proof that responsible tourism can still be competitive.
Green Destination Certification: More Than Just a Label
Kennedy Pemberton of Greenpeace provided a technical overview of Dominica’s path to Green Destination certification. He noted that it’s not about ticking boxes. The certification measures real progress across energy, community engagement, waste management, and policy reform. Importantly, it holds both government and private entities accountable, a structure that many countries have not yet achieved.
Permanent Secretary Lucien Blackmore from the Ministry of Environment reiterated that sustainability goals must be institutionalized across all levels of governance. He cited examples of policy integration that align tourism with environmental priorities, such as land use planning that respects watershed protection zones and biodiversity corridors.
The Role of Education and Community Engagement
Director of Tourism and DDA CEO Marva Williams emphasized the importance of public education in maintaining Dominica’s green status. “Sustainability must be part of our national conversation,” she said, noting the role of schools, community groups, and media in cultivating an eco-conscious culture.
Williams also challenged the assumption that sustainability efforts are always externally driven.
This is not about international pressure. This is about what Dominicans want for their own future. We want tourism that uplifts rather than erodes.
Marva Williams, Director of Tourism and DDA CEO
Next Steps: Metrics, Messaging, and Momentum
The panel closed with a consensus that maintaining Dominica’s Green Destination status requires consistent monitoring, transparent reporting, and stronger messaging at home and abroad. While the island has already won global recognition for its commitment, maintaining momentum in the face of development pressures remains an ongoing challenge.
Dominica’s “Nature Talks” discussion made one thing clear: sustainability is not a slogan, it is a working model that depends on alignment, vigilance, and leadership from every corner of society.
This article is copyright © 2025 DOM767
It is time for Dominica to move beyond this tired “nature island” branding. The government has no idea how to effectively promote the island and keeps clinging to this idea it like a broken crutch. Let us be honest, people do not come to the Caribbean to stare at trees, birds, and rocks. This is not eco-tourism paradise, it is a desperate marketing gimmick from a government that has run out of ideas and is trying to distract us with recycled slogans.
After 20 years in power, are we really supposed to believe that this same government suddenly has a billion dollar vision for tourism? Come on! For two decades, all they have done is rely on cruise ships because that is all they know how to do. No innovation. No infrastructure. No strategic planning. Just ships docking for a few hours while real long-stay tourists, the kind that actually build economies, bypass us for real tourism islands that actually know how to attract and retain visitors.
And let us talk comparisons, nearly every island in the Caribbean has more cruise traffic than Dominica. expect St. Vincent, with its own struggles. Yet we are being sold the same tired dream from the same tired party, as if we have not been here before.
So when do we finally wake up as a nation and admit the truth? Two decades of promises, two decades of underperformance. Is not it time for new faces, new parties, and a new approach to governance? What exactly are we so afraid of?
If you are still clinging to the Labour Party after all this, if you are still defending Skerrit’s so-called “vision” then either you are benefitting personally, or you are willfully blind. Because no one with their eyes open and their head on straight can truly believe that after 20 years of failure, now is when Skerrit becomes the mastermind of Caribbean tourism.
Let us stop pretending. Let us start demanding better. Dominica deserves it!