The Commonwealth of Dominica is known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Located in the Eastern Caribbean, Dominica offers visitors unsurpassable experiences around the island, which will soon include the longest cable car ride.
The island strives for sustainability in the tourism sector, giving tourists original experiences that not only educate and are fun-filled but are also kind to nature.
Also Read: Dominica: world’s first climate-resilient nation?
Bucket-list attractions
The Boiling Lake
Exciting attractions in the country include the world’s second-largest flooded fumarole from a volcano in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the Boiling Lake. The lake is situated in the Valley of Desolation, a 200-foot-wide lake engulfed by vapour clouds and mesmerising views of the ocean.
Magnificent National Parks
Dominica has three national park. The Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of a 7,000 hectare large park. The park includes a dense rainforest, crystal clear rivers, and waterfalls, such as the Emerald Pool . With fresh water that plunges from a 40 feet waterfall, it’s something to behold. The natural scenery is perfect for adventurous hikers that are nature lovers.
Similarly, the Morne Diablotin National Park is famous for birdwatching and is home to some rare bird species. The nature park is named after the Creole word, Black-capped Petrel, which is the island’s highest peak at 4,474 feet above sea level. Did you know that Dominica has one of the longest hiking trails in the Caribbean? Say hello to the Waitukubuli National Trail. The iconic 114-mile-long trail starts in Scott’s Head and runs all the way into Cabits National Park.
Longest cable car ride in the world
The longest cable car ride will be built by Austrian company, Doppelmayr Group, announced Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr. the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit. It will travel to the Boiling Lake. During a press conference, Prime Minister Roosevelt stated that he engaged with the owners of the Doppelmayr Group, which is a renowned company.
The cable car will be 4.1 miles (6.6 kilometres) long and will transport carriers from Roseau Valley, all the way to the top of Boiling Lake in 20 minutes. Here, tourists can experience Dominica’s Rainforest World Heritage area. Additionally, it will create accessibility for cruise ship passengers and travellers unable to hike the six-hour trail to Boiling Lake.
This cable car feature will become a facility that will provide comfort and convenience for all passengers, and an experience to capture the Nature Isle from a bird’s eye view.
A feasibility study was conducted by a Switzerland-based engineering company, Outdoor Engineers. Their prediction is that the cable car project will triple Dominica’s tourism sector. Not only will the project will create employment for local citizens during the implementation of the cable car but also thereafter during its operational phase.
A worthy investment
As a result, this project will boost employment in the hospitality and tourism sectors. It could also add a significant increase of cruise ship visitors by over 50 per cent. Dominica anticipates 15,000 visitors per day during peak season, which is a substantial increase from current passenger numbers.
Director of Tourism and CEO of Discover Dominica Authority, Mr Colin Piper indicated: “It is something unique, something different and we think it will set us apart and resonate with visitors who come to the island and schoolchildren who need to do school projects. It will also resonate with cruise lines who are always looking for new and different things to do and are looking for things where they can send a lot of people so logistically it works out.”
Also Read: Dominica one of the most beautiful places in the world!
The quest for climate resilience
Hon. Minister Charles emphasised Dominica’s efforts in evolving into green industrialization by utilising nature to address climate change and resiliency. Dominica has various groundbreaking projects that attribute towards the island becoming an eco-friendly state.
“Over the past decade, Dominica has been shaping its own destiny by making critical investments in more sustainable energy options. Within the next two years, our goal is to complete our first geothermal power plant, making Dominica one of the first islands to successfully replace fossil fuel-generated electricity with renewable energy.”
At Roseau Valley, there will be hospitality and retail amenities which will highlight the island’s distinct attributes. From the top of the station, there will be a café with a panoramic gallery and a statue of Dominica’s national bird, the Sisserou Parrot, which will be 19 feet tall. The cable car is expected to be completed in 2024.
Also Read: What is Dominica doing to ensure a climate resilient future?
Dominica CBI programme
Also known as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, investors have this opportune time to invest in Dominica through the Citizenship by Investment programme through the available investment options, more particularly through the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).
Contributions through the EDF start at a minimum of US$100,000.
Investors can support various public and private projects in the island state, including:
- agriculture,
- education,
- healthcare,
- sports and recreation, and
- tourism sectors.
Dominica’s tourism sector presents significant growth throughout 2023. Add to this the longest cable car ride and it could become one of the best tourist attractions worldwide.
