The Board and Management of Marpin 2K4 is justifying reasons for rate increases to be implemented in October.

Financial Comptroller at Marpin 2K4 Calvin Patrick says while times are hard, the company and services must remain viable.

He says the company has also been facing an increase in the cost of cable programming from subscribers.

The cost of cable television services will be increased from $57.00 to $77.00 plus the Value Added Tax which will bring the monthly payments to over $80.00.

Meantime President of the Media Workers Association Thelia Remy says an increase in services at Marpin 2k4 at this time could have its pros and cons.

Leader of the United Workers Party Ron Green is describing as a disaster, a decision by Carnival Victory to pull its services from Dominica.

After a 21 year relationship, Carnival Victory announced that its final call to Dominica will be on November 02, 2010.

Green tells Kairi News that the ministry of truism failed to effectively deal with the problems facing the sector.

Officials at the Dominica State Prison say man power is urgently needed to deal with the overcrowded correctional facility.

Superintendent of Prisons Algernon Charter says a record number of three hundred and seven prisoners, the highest in the prison’s history.

Meantime Charter says the prison is now offering a number of different programs for the inmates

Mayor of Roseau His Worship Cecil Joseph has come in defense of vendors, tour guides and those who provide services to the tourists on the bay front.

Joseph’s statement comes on the heels of observations by Tourism Minister Ian Douglas who claimed that vendors and tour guides must work on providing a better service to the tourists.

But the Mayor said the attitude, attire and presentation of vendors stalls have improved over the years.

Joseph says the new cruise ship season will also see major improvements in that aspect of things.

Tourism Minister Ian Douglas has told stakeholders in the tourism industry that they must take personal interest in the beautification of the various tourist sites in the country.

The minister was addressing stakeholders Monday on the way forward for the industry, after Carnival Victory announced last week that it will be making its final call to Dominica on November 2nd.

Mister Douglas says Dominica must reflect its brand as the nature island of the world.

Douglas says government could soon review the tourism standards act and regulations.

He also says the private tour system needs to be looked at.

A former Portsmouth Mayor says Dominica could be losing its nature Island Image.
Washway Douglas told Kairi news that he is worried that littering practices could have a negative impact on the country’s image as the Nature Isle.

Meantime, Mister Douglas is questioning government’s decision not to grant an Antiguan Base recycling company a license to remove the derelict boats in the town of Portsmouth.

Douglas says the presence of the derelict boats in the area for the past 20 years pose a number of challenges for the town including that of tourism.

Former mayor of Portsmouth, Washway Douglas.
Meantime, MP for Portsmouth, Tourism Minister Ian Douglas says, government has been in constant negotiations with international partners for the removal of the derelict boats.

He says negotiations with the Venezulan government are at an advantage stage.

An Attorney at Law here is suggesting that laws be implemented to ban the use of cellular phones while driving.

Michael Bruney told a panel discussion on Sunday to end activities to observe motorist week, that the use of cell phones while driving is causing problems for both drivers and pedestrians

He says pedestrian in Dominica are also guilty of walking across moving traffic.

Meantime a medical professional here says most motorist accidents are being attributed by both motorist and pedestrians.

Dr. Phillip St. Jean of the Roseau Heath District says there are several attributes that must be mandatory for motorist and pedestrians.

Leader of the opposition Hector Spags John says it is unfortunate that the officials of Carnival Victory have blamed their pull out of Dominica on their itinerary on the high cost of fuel.

John says he believes there are more reasons why the Cruise line ended its calls to Dominica.

He says the pulling out of carnival victory to Dominica is a major blow to the industry

John says stakeholders need to come together to discuss the way forward for the industry in other to prevent other cruise lines to pull out of Dominica.

Meantime Tourism Minister Ian Douglas says officials in the tourism sector will be called to an emergency meeting this week.

Douglas says the manner in which private tours are conducted will also have to be reviewed.

Dominica’s 14th annual World Creole Music festival Will not be affected by the Illness of star artiste Ali Campbell, the former lead singer of UB40, will not perform at the closing night in this year’s World Creole Music Festival because of an illness that caused doctors to forbid him from any demanding activities until at least December.

Campbell reportedly contracted the Epstein-Barr virus and was placed on eight weeks of complete rest by physicians.

According to a statement from the CEO Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) and Chairman of Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC), Colin Piper, the information of the musician’s condition was received sometime on Friday.

As a result of the development the DDA and DFC Board of Directors have began the process to Source a replacement artiste for the night of October 31

According to the UK Sun “Last week Ali fell ill, with a flu-like virus and very high temperature… The doctors have advised Ali to ease up on all touring commitments until the end of the year in order to recover fully from the virus,” the online paper said.

When the replacement for Campbell is decided the DDA and the DFC said it would issue a statement on the subject.
The 14th World Creole Music Festival is still on schedule to run from October 29 to 31 at Windsor Park Sports Stadium

President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association Simon Walsh is calling for the speedily completion of the Laudat/Trafalgar Road.

Walsh said that road is the main access to several tourist sites.

Meantime Tourism Minister Ian Douglas says government has indicated to the contractors the importance of having the road completed before the tourism season begins.

He says the project will enhance the various sites once completed