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

The Roosevelt Skerrit government is optimistic that it can continue in its thrust to further reduce poverty levels in Dominica with the start of a new programme.

Information Minister Ambrose George says government is getting set to officially launch the National Beneficiary Identification System which will enhance the effectiveness of development programs.

He represented Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at the National Consultation for the Dominica Country Poverty Assessment report at the Garraway Hotel this morning

Chairman of Discover Dominica Authority Colin Piper says every year, the tourism sector in Dominica will lost close to 160,000 thousand cruise passengers from the pull out of carnival victory

The Carnival Victory will make its last call to Dominica on November 02nd, blaming the pull out on fuel prices.

Piper says the decision will negatively impact the country’s tourism sector.

Meantime General Manager of the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority, Bennoit Bardouille says, officials in the tourism sector have been seeking alternatives.

And President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association Simon Walsh says, it is time that Dominica put measures in place based on this decision.

He says Dominica needs to now divert its attention and look at the value of the destination.

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union in collaboration with the government of Dominica will be embarking on a Caribbean ICT road show.

The Dominica leg is scheduled for October 04th-5th.

Public Relations Officer of the ICT Dominica is Edward Registe.

The new Events Director of the Dominica Festivals Committee-Trinidadian Nathalie Clark says this year will be challenging one.

Clark is replacing Val Cuffy.

Clark also spoke to concerns that persons may have about having a Dominican at the helm of the World Creole Music Festival

The spirit of cooperation between the United States and Caribbean nations was strengthened recently as the Florida National Guard hosted representatives from seven Caribbean countries for a week-long visit.Representatives from nations belonging to the Regional Security System (RSS) – an international agreement for the defense and security of the eastern Caribbean region – visited Florida from August 9th to 13th.

Representatives toured Florida National Guard facilities, met with senior leaders and learned about the capabilities and missions of the Florida National Guard and the Florida Department of Military Affairs.
RSS nations represented during the visit included: Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Dominica; Grenada; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says his government is happy to assist the Anguilla authorities with 10 million dollars to pay salaries of public officers.

Last week Anguilla’s chief minister Hubert Hughes announced that his government was in the process of borrowing EC 10 million dollars from the Eastern Caribbean central bank in St Kitts, to pay civil servants for the month of August and that money was coming from the Dominica credit.

Prime Minister Skerrit says the people of Anguilla have been loyal to the people of Dominica in many ways.

He says his government will continue to assist Anguilla in whatever way it can.

Prime Minister Skerrit says Dominica is able to assist other countries because of its strong fiscal policies.

He says the introduction of the value added tax to Dominica in 2006 has stabilized the economy.

He also says other countries in the region must move towards the implementation of the value added tax

The Roosevelt Skerrit Government is currently reviewing its public assistance programme.

Chief Child Welfare Officer Martin Anthony says the decision is to ensure that those who benefit are actually in need

Anthony says government is currently putting in place a system where the beneficiaries will be properly targeted

Meantime Public Awareness Consultant on the Special Assistance Project Petra Shillingford says the system is also seeking to regularize the programme