AGP Executive Report

Cruise Growth: Dominica recorded its strongest cruise season in 15 years, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said. The government is inviting private investors to help develop cruise facilities, a cargo port and ferry terminal, with stakeholder consultations planned by November 18. Air Access: American Airlines is preparing to use a larger aircraft on its Dominica route, while the government aims to finalise an Open Skies agreement with the United States by year-end. Cable Car: The EU ambassador toured the project, which is planned to link Roseau Valley with the Boiling Lake area in about 20 minutes. The 6.6-kilometre line is under construction and is expected to improve access to key natural attractions. Regional Connections: The KARULINK initiative has begun feasibility studies on better maritime and multimodal links between Dominica and nearby islands. Where to Stay and Dive: New travel guides spotlight Dominica’s small luxury resorts and volcanic underwater landscapes, while an Azamara cruise itinerary scheduled for December 2028 includes a Roseau stop.

Regional Links: KARULINK has begun feasibility studies for better maritime and multimodal connections among Dominica, Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Air Access: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says American Airlines is preparing to use a larger aircraft on its Dominica route, with an Open Skies agreement with the US targeted by year-end. Cable-Car Project: An EU ambassador visited the construction site as work advances on the 6.6-kilometre link to the Boiling Lake area, designed to cut the journey to about 20 minutes. Port Investment: The government is exploring private partnerships for cruise facilities, cargo ports and the ferry terminal, with stakeholder consultations due by November 18. Cruise Calls: Azamara’s December 2028 Barbados-to-Miami sailing includes a stop in Roseau. Nature Stays: New travel guides spotlight Dominica’s small luxury hotels and volcanic dive sites, including Secret Bay and underwater geothermal vents.

Regional Connectivity: The KARULINK project has begun feasibility studies and stakeholder outreach for improved sea and multimodal links connecting Dominica with Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Air Access: American Airlines is preparing to use larger aircraft on its Dominica route, while the government aims to finalize a U.S. Open Skies agreement by year-end. Tourism Projects: An EU ambassador reviewed progress on the proposed cable car to the Boiling Lake; the 6.6-kilometre route is intended to cut the journey to about 22 minutes. The government is also consulting on private investment in cruise facilities, cargo ports and the ferry terminal. Cruise Itineraries: Azamara Quest is scheduled to call in Roseau on a December 2028 sailing from Barbados to Miami. Where to Stay: A new hotel guide spotlights Secret Bay and other stays offering access to Dominica’s rainforest, coast and outdoor adventures.

Regional Connections: KARULINK has begun feasibility studies and stakeholder consultations on proposed maritime links and digital transit tools connecting Dominica with Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Air Access: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says American Airlines is preparing to use larger aircraft on its Dominica route, and the government aims to finalize an Open Skies agreement with the US by year’s end. Tourism Projects: The EU ambassador toured the under-construction cable-car site, which is planned to link Roseau Valley and Boiling Lake. The government is also exploring private investment in cruise facilities, cargo ports and the ferry terminal, with stakeholder consultations due by November 18. Where to Stay and Dive: Travel guides spotlight Dominica’s small luxury resorts, including Secret Bay, and its volcanic underwater terrain. Cruise Calls: Azamara Quest is scheduled to call at Roseau on a Barbados-to-Miami cruise in December 2028.

Cruise Connections: Azamara’s December 2028 Caribbean sailings include a Roseau stop on a Barbados-to-Miami voyage, with Dominica paired with Bequia, St. Kitts and Puerto Rico. Cable Car Progress: EU Ambassador Fiona Ramsey visited the Dominica Cable Car construction site, where officials outlined progress on the 6.6-kilometre link planned to cut travel to the Boiling Lake area to about 22 minutes. Air Access: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says American Airlines is preparing to use a larger aircraft on its Dominica route, while the government aims to finalise an Open Skies agreement with the U.S. by year-end. Tourism Investment: The government is exploring private investment in cruise facilities, cargo ports and the ferry terminal, with stakeholder consultations planned by November 18. Nature Stays and Diving: Recent travel guides spotlight Dominica’s rainforest villas, including Secret Bay, and its volcanic underwater landscapes, with pinnacles, drop-offs and geothermal vents drawing divers.

Air Access: American Airlines is preparing to use larger aircraft on its Dominica route, while the government aims to finalise an Open Skies agreement with the U.S. by year-end—steps that could make the island easier to reach as visitor numbers grow. Nature Attractions: The EU ambassador toured the under-construction cable car project, planned to link Roseau Valley with the Boiling Lake in about 20 minutes. Places to Stay and Dive: Travel guides spotlight Dominica’s intimate stays, including Secret Bay’s rainforest villas, and its volcanic underwater landscapes, steep drop-offs and geothermal vents. Cruise Calls: Azamara Quest’s December 2028 itinerary from Barbados to Miami includes a stop in Roseau, giving travellers another way to visit the island. Tourism Infrastructure: The government is consulting on possible private investment in cruise facilities, cargo ports and the ferry terminal, with stakeholder consultations due by November 18.

Air Access: American Airlines is preparing to use larger aircraft on its Dominica route, while the government aims to finalize an Open Skies agreement with the U.S. by year-end. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the island recently recorded its strongest tourism season in 15 years. Cable-Car Project: The EU ambassador visited the construction site, where officials outlined plans for a 6.6-kilometre ride linking Roseau Valley with the Boiling Lake area. The project is designed to replace a gruelling hike with a ride of about 20 minutes. Cruise and Port Plans: Azamara’s December 2028 itinerary from Barbados to Miami includes a Roseau stop. Meanwhile, the government is consulting on private investment in cruise facilities, cargo ports and the ferry terminal, with stakeholder discussions due by November 18. On-Island Travel: A new guide highlights Dominica’s volcanic dive sites, while a roundup of places to stay covers options from Secret Bay’s villas to waterfront Fort Young. Ferry Fares: FRS Express des Îles has added a temporary €5 one-way and €10 return fuel surcharge to international routes serving Dominica.

Air Access: American Airlines is preparing to use a larger aircraft on its Dominica route, while the government aims to finalise an Open Skies agreement with the U.S. by year-end. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit cited record stayover arrivals last year and the strongest tourism season in 15 years. Cable-Car Project: EU Ambassador Fiona Ramsey toured the construction site, where officials briefed her on progress. The 6.6-kilometre route is intended to cut the journey to the Boiling Lake area to about 20 minutes. Cruise and Port Plans: Azamara Quest’s December 2028 itineraries include a Roseau call. Dominica is also exploring private investment in cruise facilities, cargo ports and the ferry terminal, with stakeholder consultations planned. Island Hopping: FRS Express des Îles’ temporary fuel surcharge adds €5 to one-way tickets and €10 to round trips. Stay and Dive: A new guide highlights six Dominica hotels, while a Caribbean diving feature spotlights the island’s volcanic underwater terrain.

Air Access: American Airlines is preparing to use larger aircraft on its Dominica route, while the government aims to complete an Open Skies Agreement with the U.S. by year-end. The move comes as the island reports record stayover arrivals. Cruise Calls: Azamara Quest will call in Roseau on a seven-night Barbados-to-Miami cruise in December 2028, adding Dominica to a new Caribbean itinerary. Cable Car: EU Ambassador Fiona Ramsey toured the construction site and reviewed progress on the 6.6-kilometre link to the Boiling Lake, which is expected to cut the trek to about 20 minutes. Port Investment: The government is exploring private partnerships for cruise facilities, cargo ports and the ferry terminal, with stakeholder consultations planned by November 18. Ferry Fares: FRS Express des Îles has added a temporary €5 one-way surcharge on international routes, including services serving Dominica; the fee will be reviewed every three months.

Air Access: American Airlines plans to use larger aircraft on its Dominica route, increasing seat capacity; timing and other details were not provided. Tourism Infrastructure: EU Ambassador Fiona Ramsey toured the unfinished cable car project, which is designed to link Roseau Valley with Boiling Lake in about 22 minutes and carry up to 1,000 passengers an hour. Cruise Tourism: Azamara Quest will call at Roseau on a Barbados-to-Miami sailing from December 11–18, 2028, bringing another cruise itinerary to Dominica. Port Investment: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says investors are interested in developing the cruise facilities, cargo port and ferry terminal through public-private partnerships. Stakeholder consultations are due by November 18. Regional Travel: FRS Express des Îles has introduced a temporary fuel surcharge of €5 one way or €10 return on international ferry routes, including services to and from Dominica.**

Cable Car Progress: EU Ambassador Fiona Ramsey toured Dominica’s cable car construction site on November 3 and received an update. The 6.6-kilometre route is planned to link Roseau Valley with Boiling Lake in about 22 minutes, replacing a strenuous six-hour hike. Where to Stay: A new guide highlights six Dominica hotels, from Secret Bay’s private-pool villas to Fort Young’s waterfront setting, with options for luxury, diving and wellness trips. Getting Around: FRS Express des Îles’ temporary fuel surcharge adds €5 one way or €10 return on international ferry routes, effective November 1; the operator says it will review the charge every three months. Festival Tourism: Discover Dominica Authority says the World Creole Music Festival’s October 23–25 edition drew major performers and helped raise the island’s profile as a destination. Visa-Free Travel: Dominica plans to update the EU by November 12 on its citizenship-by-investment programme. The EU says participating countries must transition away from such programmes by June 2028 to retain visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

Independence: Dominica marked 48 years of independence on November 3 under the theme “Our Journey, Our Legacy, Our Future,” celebrating the island’s culture and looking ahead to opportunities for the next generation. Where to Stay: A new guide spotlights six Dominica hotels, from Secret Bay’s private-pool villas to waterfront Fort Young, with options for luxury, diving and quieter coastal escapes. Ferry Costs: A temporary fuel surcharge took effect November 1 on FRS Express des Îles’ international routes, adding €5 one way or €10 return for travel between Dominica and neighbouring islands. Schengen Travel: Dominica says it will update the EU by November 12 on its Citizenship by Investment programme. The EU has indicated that participating countries must move away from such programmes by June 2028 to retain visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

Where to Stay: A new guide to Dominica’s hotels highlights Secret Bay’s private-pool villas, Fort Young’s waterfront setting and stays suited to hiking, diving and wellness. Island Travel Costs: FRS Express des Îles has added a temporary fuel surcharge from November 1: €5 one way or €10 return on international ferry routes linking Dominica with nearby islands. Festival Tourism: Discover Dominica Authority CEO Marva Williams says Ne-Yo’s World Creole Music Festival appearance helped raise the island’s profile; the October 23–25 event brought regional and international acts to Roseau during Independence celebrations. Visa-Free Travel: Dominica plans further talks with the EU by November 12 over its Citizenship by Investment programme. The EU says countries must move away from such schemes by June 2028 to retain visa-free access to the Schengen Area, putting a travel benefit—and a key source of government revenue—at stake.

Where to Stay: A new guide spotlights six places to book on Dominica, from Secret Bay’s private-pool villas to Fort Young’s waterfront rooms, with options for cliffside luxury, seclusion and wellness. Getting Around: FRS Express des Îles’ temporary fuel surcharge took effect November 1, adding €5 one-way or €10 return to international ferry tickets linking Dominica with nearby islands. Festival Tourism: The World Creole Music Festival drew thousands for three nights in October. Discover Dominica Authority says the event raises the island’s profile and brings visitors during Independence celebrations. Schengen Access: Dominica says it will update the EU by November 12 on the future of its citizenship-by-investment programme. The EU has indicated the schemes must be phased out by June 2028 to preserve visa-free access to the Schengen Area; the government says it is weighing the economic impact and transition options.

Regional Travel: FRS Express des Îles added a temporary €5 one-way or €10 round-trip fuel surcharge to international ferry fares from November 1, affecting routes linking Dominica with Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Lucia. Visa-Free Access: Dominica says it will continue EU talks on November 12 after the bloc indicated CBI programmes must end by June 2028 to preserve Schengen visa-free travel. Festival Tourism: After the World Creole Music Festival, tourism officials urged visitors to stay for Independence celebrations and explore more of the island. The government cited a US$15 million direct impact from last year’s festival, with flights full during this year’s event. Resilience: The Caribbean Development Bank approved a final US$10 million loan in a US$30 million programme supporting Dominica’s public finances and climate resilience.

Regional Ferry Costs: FRS Express des Îles added a temporary €5 one-way surcharge from November 1, raising travel costs between Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Lucia. The operator says it will review the charge every three months. Visa-Free Travel at Stake: Dominica plans further talks with the EU by November 12 over its Citizenship by Investment programme. The EU says countries must transition away from such schemes by June 2028 to keep visa-free access to the Schengen Area, putting a key travel benefit in focus. Festival Tourism: Officials urged World Creole Music Festival visitors to stay for Dominica’s Independence celebrations, extending their trips beyond the October 23–25 event. The government cited an estimated US$15 million in direct economic impact from last year’s festival and said flights were fully booked for this year’s dates.