ROSEAU, Dominica - AFTER a two-year hiatus of major activities to celebrate culture and pageantry, Dominica is now up and running with the return of the World Creole Festival.
Pomp, culture and patriotism are currently on full display across the island from the young, old and those who are visiting the island for all its celebration.
Like the rest of the region, Dominica was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in job losses, closure of business and a slowdown in tourism and entertainment, including the World Creole Music Festival.
The festival kicked off Friday (Oct. 28) with a number of popular local, regional and international superstars gracing the stage.
The Government is seeing the event as one means of returning visitors to the country’s shores during what is described as the slow period.
While addressing reporters Friday morning, CEO of Discover Dominica, Colin Piper acknowledged the importance of the event to the slow period for the island’s tourism sector.
“If you walk in the streets you would see the joy on people’s faces. It is our festival and people are excited to be able to be entertained again. From an economic standpoint, it is tremendous because of the investment into the country and how the ordinary man benefits…the hotels, the taxi operators. It is a great feeling to be able to do that and see the results and to see the impacts instantly,” Piper told SKNVibes.
The Government is forecasting to see high numbers of tourists from across neighbouring islands during the celebrations.
SKNVibes understands that the Government has invested close to US$7 million to stage the event this year and, according to the Piper, the Government is expected to see significant returns on its investment due to the perceived influx of tourists.
Two of the region’s top entertainers had welcomed the return of the event and called for all to attend and show their support.
Night one had featured Kes the Band, Shenseea and the Sizzla.
The Festival is more cultural and will entail a number of activities within the communities and towns of Dominica.
