ROSEAU, Dominica, (GIS) – With the ministry of tourism, international transport and maritime initiatives making strides to reopen the cruise sector, the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has launched Staycation 2021.
Staycation was first launched in 2012 as an initiative to give visitors and locals alike the opportunity to re-discover Dominica with friends and family.
This year, Staycation will run from June to August, with nine properties forming part of the activities including Secret Bay Residences in Ti Bay, Portsmouth; Fort Young Hotel; Des Champs; Atlantique View Resort; Cabrits Resort and Spa Kempinski; Jungle Bay; Rosalie Bay Resort; Sea Cliff Cottages in Calibishie; and the Portsmouth Beach Hotel.
Staycation 2021 will also include tours with Extreme Dominica, Waitukubuli Adventure Tours, Decide on Dominica, and Sheppee Fun Tours.
Chief executive officer of Discover Dominica Authority and director of tourism, Colin Piper stated that 2020 recorded the greatest participation since the inception of Staycation.
“Discover Dominica continues to promote staycation as a way to get increased business for the sector in the summer months. Promotions for Staycation started in 2012, and for 2020 we saw the greatest participation. At the end of 2020, there were over 700 bookings for accommodations and over 900 persons participating in tours. This was a great source of revenue for our local tourism service providers during a time when the traditional tourist were unable to travel. Staycation is an opportunity for nationals and returning nationals to experience the tourism products of the destination. We certainly encourage participants to discover the many activities that includes hikes, diving and snorkeling, canyoning, whale watching, waterfalls, rivers and beaches,” Piper stated.
Piper encouraged participants to use social media as a way to assist the DDA in promoting Staycation.
“One of the things we really want to use to promote the destination is user-generated content. During the pandemic, many things were locked down and we were not getting as much content as we did previously. Participants for Staycation 2021 are therefore encouraged to take loads of pictures and videos to post on social media. Push the word out so that potential visitors to our shores are aware of the many activities and accommodation options available,” the DDA chief executive officer noted.
Meanwhile, executive director of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) Kevin Francis stated that Staycation 2021 will bring Tourism Awareness Month to a close going on to encourage members of the public to take advantage of the offers available.
“As we close Tourism Awareness Month we welcome our Staycation season. The DHTA encourages the public to take advantage of the staycation opportunities and many offers available. Additional Staycation will be promoted in the island’s most comprehensive digital guidebook, Experience Dominica. Experience Dominica makes it easier than ever for you to book your covid certified Staycations, allowing you all the options at your fingertips.
“ Visit ExperienceDominica.com to browse the many certified options and book your stay. As your contribution too Staycation 2021, Experience Dominica will also be offering to all tourism service providers a free listing on Experience Dominica for three months,” Francis added.
