Roseau, Dominica – 11 Dec., 2006 - The National Development Corporation announced  that it has officially launched its new website, www.discoverdominica.com.  The site is dedicated to providing comprehensive information about Dominica as a premier eco-tourism and adventure travel destination.

Enhancements to the original website include interactive maps, streaming video, downloadable screensavers, E-cards, and a fresh, modern new look.  In keeping up to date with the latest technology, the website also boasts a live webcam from the north coast of the island.

Most importantly, the new website features a full range of information about the island including what to see and do, where to stay, places to eat, a calendar of events, and a new features section that highlights exciting packages, and the island’s latest news.

The website makeover is part of the destination’s overall e-marketing strategic plan.  Through this plan, the island’s Division of Tourism will be able to directly communicate with potential and existing guests to personalize travel offers for them.  Additionally, the website has a tracking system that measures the effectiveness of online and print advertising. The tracking system will obtain traveler’s responses to advertising and assist in improving the destination’s marketing efforts.

“Dominica is continuing to grow as both a premier eco-tourism and adventure travel destination, and our online presence will reflect that position,” stated Yvor Nassief, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Private Sector Relations for Dominica.  “The website will be used as a tool to assist in building continued awareness of the destination and we believe its design and new features will effectively differentiate us from some of our primary competitors. Our online media campaign and banners created for such outlets as Lonely Planet, Tripadvisors and National Geographic also support our position and target audience for the destination.”

Known as “The Nature Island” and located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, the independent nation of Dominica (pronounced "Dom-in-eek-a") is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands, encompassing an area of nearly 290 square miles.  Of volcanic origins with mountains reaching heights of nearly 5,000 feet, rainforests that are considered among the last true oceanic rainforests in the world, more than 365 rivers, waterfalls, boiling lakes and pristine coral reefs, Dominica’s natural diversity is truly unique. Dominica is also home to the last remaining settlement of the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean – The Carib Indians. A place where man and nature live in harmony, adventurers and nature lovers alike will revel in the Island’s eco-tourism options which include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking/trekking, whale, dolphin and bird watching, sailing and fishing.

Dominica continues to be recognized for its attributes and sustainable tourism efforts, including being the first country in the world to receive Benchmarking designation from the prestigious eco-tourism organization Green Globe 21 and ranking as the only Caribbean destination in the top five happiest countries on earth in the Happy Planet Index (compiled by Britain’s New Economics Foundation).

Beginning January 23, 2007, the U.S. State Department and the Department Homeland Security will require that all U.S. citizens and foreign nationals carry a passport or other accepted secure documents to enter or re-enter the U.S. through airports from the Caribbean, including Dominica.  Please visit the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov for more information and downloadable passport application forms.

For more information on Dominica, contact the Dominica Tourist Office in New York: 888.645.5637. Or, visit Dominica’s official website: www.discoverdominica.com.

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