ROSEAU, DOMINICA –Leader of the Opposition in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has told the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) that aninternational airport opens a country to opportunities and conveniences that would never exist in the absence of such a facility.
Dr. Douglas, who was guest speaker at the DAIC ‘Chew On It’ luncheon, at the Fort Young Hotel, told the Dominica business leaders that airport construction istremendously expensive, under the best of circumstance and particularly so in countries like Dominica, where a complete re-arrangement of nature’s carefully placed topography would be required.
Dr. Douglas, who was met by the airport by officials of the Dominica Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke of the need for a broad-based and in-depth process of national consultation.
“Should the consensus be that the interests of Dominica would be best served by the construction of an international airport, my experience with massive infrastructural projects tells me that an undertaking of this magnitude, with the benefits so widely dispersed throughout the entire society, would best move forward as a public/private partnership,” he said.
Dr. Douglas therefore, suggested that in order for Dominica to construct this international airport, “substantial international support” would be needed.
“In addition, there would have to be a concerted national commitment at the highest levels, to the success of the project because unforeseeable contingencies can and will emerge, significantly complicating the effort and making the challenge even greater than it was,” he stated.
Dr. Douglas also highlighted that many obstacles have to be overcome including natural disasters, the global financial crisis and the highest technical expertise is needed.
“Permit me to stress ladies and gentlemen, how very crucial it is that only the highest level of technical expertise be relied upon. There must be a high caliber undertaking to analyze and assess the viability of any such project,” he said.
A “requisite economic and financial analysis,” according to the former Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, would also be needed so as to ensure that Dominica puts in place the infrastructure that is economically viable and flexible enough to respond to changes in technology.
“Fortunately there is international assistance to be sourced through various national, regional and international aviation agencies and this resource is often invaluable in preventing costly project overruns and long term inefficiencies,” Douglas explained.
He noted that according to indications, Dominica’s development prospects are “favorable.”
“It’s tourism continues to expand, carrying brand Dominica to an even wider audience,” he said.
According to Douglas, there is a need for many conversations on the costs and benefits, and advantages and disadvantages in undertaking something “as massive as the construction of an international airport.”
He also advised that the international airport must go hand in hand with air lift development “if it is to be a sustainable tool for economic, social and political development as well.”
“You would need to attract airlifts, you would need additional hotels, and so the formula, in my opinion, is already being worked out. It is very difficult for a small population to support international airlift, but a small country like Dominica must see airlift and airport as an investment in its own economic expansion, hence, Dominica’s time has come,” he remarked.
“An airport designed to accommodate mid-size jets? One capable of accommodating huge commercial aircraft?
If Dominica does wish to attract greater numbers of travelers, we already know that the sheer challenge for the international traveler in getting to this beautiful island means that only the most determined will probably visit,” said Dr. Douglas, who pointed out that the competition is fierce for that tourism
dollar as it is equally fierce for that niche eco-tourism experience which Dominica presents.
“In today’s increasingly competitive tourism market, the aim is to make the travel experience as seamless and accessible as possible. Central to this is direct air access, and the experience of St. Kitts and Nevis is particularly instructive in this regard. The phenomenal growth in stay-over visitors into St. Kitts and Nevis over the past ten years has been made possible
by a number of factors, but central to which has been the availability of direct international services out of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
“Doing this involved the upgrading and expanding of aviation facilities, because we wanted to provide an airport that could cater to the demands of the international traveler. Considerable sums were therefore expended in that effort over the years. This was essential to maintaining the direct air links that were required for establishing St. Kitts and Nevis as a world class destination, something which we were able to do in a remarkably short time,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said an international airport would be a clear benefit of the large Dominica diaspora – based all over the world, and particularly North America and the UK – being able to return home at will. This in itself has its own positive social and economic spin-offs.
“There is no one answer that fits all circumstances, or all countries. Through in-depth analysis, and extended, meaningful national dialogue, the people of Dominica, I am certain, having heard from a wide range of
Individuals like myself, will decide, using their own unique judgment, and the interests that are best known by them, the correct path, at the correct time. And that is exactly as it should be,” said the former Prime Minister.
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