Dominica’s Hoteliers Worried over String of Shutdowns

Hoteliers in Dominica are concerned that too many hotels are closing down and have blamed the financial institutions for pressuring entrepreneurs in the industry.

President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association Judith Pestaina is disturbed about the current situation facing hoteliers and explains that the financial pressures they face is making it increasingly difficult to move forward in the industry.

A Dominican hotelier, Atherton Martin, says the policies of the financial institutions are not helping small entrepreneurs. He noted that there needs to be ‘a coming together of minds’ between the public sector, the private sector and the financial bodies to better understand the issues surrounding tourism.

Mr. Martin is suggesting that banks provide support not only for construction, but also for marketing assistance and management after the construction of small properties.

“If we understand the whole product that we are saying is Dominica’s tourism product, we would realize that the banks, the insurance companies and everybody else has to buy in…if we have a good product in hand, our job is to do everything we can to promote, to improve and to strengthen it,” Mr. Martin said.