This year May is full of activities with DOMFESTA, Hike Fest, Community Tourism events, Public Awareness campaigns and forming partnerships.

See the Calendar below for all this month’s activities.

Part 6: Portsmouth

Portsmouth is known as Dominica’s “Second Town” and is located on the northwest coast of the island. Much of Dominica’s history can be traced through developments in Portsmouth. From settlements and paths used by the island’s original inhabitants (the Kalinago), through colonisation by both the French and English at the historic Fort Shirley in  the Cabrits, to present day tourist attractions like the Indian River — Portsmouth is a microcosm of Dominica’s development.

The area is rich in heritage and natural beauty:

• Walk the ground of Fort Shirley at Cabrits to learn about Dominica’s history.
• Take a relaxing boat trip up the Indian River, experiencing Dominica’s nature up-close.
• Stretch out on Purple Turtle beach, take a swim and have lunch.

Spend the night in one of Portsmouth’s  hotels, guest houses, or cottages. Enjoy the local cuisine – there are many restaurants in the area!

Portsmouth Community Tourism Association has recently been formed to promote tourism in and around the community. Visit their website for more information about accommodation, restaurants, service, tours and attractions.

• Visit the Portsmouth Community Tourism website

At the Cabrits

Restoration work continues at Fort Shirley, Cabrits where Dr. Lennox Honychurch is currently supervising the restoration of the Cabrits Garrison. The building with the scaffolding (below) is the future home of a hostel for heritage and ecology camps.

Cabrits Garrison Restoration * Photo courtesy of Lennox Honychurch

Part 5: Layou

The village of Layou is on Dominica’s west coast, just 20 minutes north of the capital, Roseau. It is located at the mouth of Dominica’s longest river (the Layou River) and is thus well-positioned for the natural phenomenon that brings thousands of small fish (titiwi) right to its banks each month. While Layou has always been well-known for its titiwi, over the past several years it has hosted a Titiwi Festival to celebrate them. This year the festival will be held on September 25th & 26th 2010.

The 2010 Titiwi Festival will include two days of activities such as swimming, boat races, zip lining, beach football, fishing tours during the day and live music & entertainment in the evenings. Last year’s festival was marvelous fun for the whole family!

Titiwi Festival at Layou (2009) Photo by ImagesDominica.com

The highlight of this festival is, of course, tasting the delicious titiwi which are prepared in many different ways.  For those not familiar with “titiwi” they are small fish, often prepared breaded and fried, such as titiwi accras.

The Layou Improvement Committee is active in Community Tourism, promoting the community’s attractions such as river tubing, fishing tours, the hot pool ‘Glo Cho’, trips to the Miracle Lake and Wacky Rollers Adventure Park.

• Visit the Layou Community Tourism website for more details about the Titiwi Festival activities and the community tours.

• Learn more about Cochrane and the Roseau Valley

Part 4:  Mero

The village of Mero is located on Dominica’s west coast, just fifteen minutes north of the capital, Roseau. Mero Beach, one of Dominica’s most popular attractions, is  here.

The beach facilities at Mero Beach are managed by the Mero Enhancement Committee, which was formed in 2005 . This community group has been working diligently ever since and has proven that community tourism initiatives can be very successful.

When’s the last time you enjoyed the sun, sea and sand at Mero Beach?

Mero Beach

While the Beach Facilities are well advanced, there are plans to develop other attractions in the area such as Skelford Falls (also known as Gros Morne Falls):

Skelford Falls

For more information about these tours and the communities, visit their website:

• Mero.CommunityTourism.dm

Part 3: Giraudel & Eggleston

The twin villages of Giraudel and Eggleston are located high above Dominica’s south-east coast,  along the slopes of Morne Anglais.  The villages are renown for their agriculture-based industries of flower growing & arranging as well as growing fruits and vegetables.  In recent years, Giraudel has also become quite popular for its Cooking Tour which uses locally grown ingredients to teach visitors how to cook creole food.

In addition to Flower Garden Tours and Cooking Tours, these communities have several engaging hikes.  For the avid hiker,  make your way up to the summit of Morne Anglais (3,434 ft) where you will find stunning views down to both the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts. Or take an easier trek and follow the trail from Giraudel to the neighbouring village of Bellevue Chopin, a route which is part of the forthcoming Waitukubuli National Trail Project.

For more information about these tours and the communities, visit their website:

• GiraudelEgglestonFlowers.CommunityTourism.dm

The post Focus on Community Tourism ~ Giraudel and Eggleston first appeared on a virtual Dominica.]]> https://www.avirtualdominica.com/focus-on-community-tourism-giraudel-and-eggleston/feed/ 0 https://www.avirtualdominica.com/focus-on-community-tourism-wotten-waven/ https://www.avirtualdominica.com/focus-on-community-tourism-wotten-waven/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:41:52 +0000 http://visitdominica.wordpress.com/?p=1002 Continuing our series on community tourism in Dominica… Part 2:  Wotten Waven Wotten Waven has been called the Spa Capital of Dominica… and possibly even the Caribbean! Where else can you find such a wide selection of natural hot springs to soak in, healing your body and soul. The village has re-activated its efforts at […]

In this first of this series, we put the spotlight on a community group of organic farmers in  Bellevue Chopin.

Part 1: Bellevue Chopin Organic Farmers Group

Belleuve Chopin is a small farming village located on the slopes of Morne Anglais.  For decades farmers in this area have been growing produce in an environmentally conscious manner, simply because they knew this was the best way to live. It is only in recent times that society has labeled this style of living in harmony with nature as ‘organic.’

In Bellevue Chopin, you will find several farmers who enjoy sharing their lifestyle and their knowledge with visitors. Spend a morning or an afternoon hiking through this beautiful, verdant village and discover what a stevia plant looks like, or how pineapples actually grow. Pluck fresh produce from the ground and rinse it in a natural spring, enjoying the freshest vegetables you’ve ever eaten.

Farm tours include:

• Broad Meadows – Mr. Gordon Royer’s mixed garden of vegetables, provisions and various herbs.
• Harmony Garden – Mr. Roy Ormond’s organic herbal farm.
• Charlette River Farm – Mr.  Green’s  estate produces pineapple and a wide range of anthuriums (tropical flowers).
• Mountain Creole Garden –  Mr. Delroy Registe’s garden uses traditional planting techniques to grow banana, citrus and vegetables.

For more information about the community group and the tours, visit their website:

• BellevueOrganicFarmers.CommunityTourism.dm

The backbone of Dominica’s charm is the diverse group of small business owners who continually go the extra mile to make our visitors’ experience more personal and to leave that little touch of Dominica lingering with them long after they have left our shores.

Support Dominica’s Community Tourism!

• Read more about Community Tourism projects in Dominica on avirtualDominica.com