Visitor numbers to Dominica soared in the first half of 2019, as the island continues its recovery from Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The eastern Caribbean island was one of the worst affected when the Category Five storm hit the region.

Overall visitor arrivals for the first half of 2019 are up by 321% year-on-year, and overnight stays reached 43,774 – a 67% increase year-on-year.

Cruise passenger numbers soared by 760% year-on-year.

UK arrivals between January and June reached 2,605, which was up 59% year-on-year.

The UK is worth about 7% of the overall market to Dominica, which is the same as before the storm in September 2017.

The Discover Dominica Authority will be at WTM London, on the Caribbean Tourism Organisation stand, to highlight its remarkable renaissance and discuss future plans.

Colin Piper, tourism director at the Discover Dominica Authority, said: “We are delighted to see the island bouncing back and seeing a huge increase in overall visitor arrivals.

“What gives us greater satisfaction is the 7.9% increase we experienced over the first half of 2017’s figures which was pre-Hurricane Maria.

“We predict this will continue to increase for the rest of 2019 and into 2020 with the opening of new luxury hotels including Jungle Bay Resort and Spa, Kempinski Cabrits Resort and Spa and Anichi Resort and Spa.”

Pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, the island lies south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique in the eastern Caribbean.

Known as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, it has extensive rainforest and diverse fauna and flora, so the tourism industry is investing in sustainable projects to attract more higher-spending, eco-conscious visitors.

Dominica has also welcomed film and TV stars, such as actors from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and most recently Ainsley Harriott for Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen.

Stand: CA260

 

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