Becoming A Local Tourist

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The Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica, is just one of the sparkling gems on the necklace of islands which make up the West Indies.

True to its name, ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean’ Dominica is a paradise for adventure lovers, boasting a wide range of natural sites and nature based activities for visitors to enjoy.

Becoming a Local Tourists in Dominica

Oftentimes hearing the term ‘tourist’ instantly provokes the thought of a foreigner or visitor to a place. But this is not always the case. It is quite possible to become a ‘Local tourist’ and discover one’s own country!

Especially in light of the Covid 19 global impact on travel, local tourism has become a go to for many countries and their residents. You too have probably been considering this unique exploration. 

Our data shows (after speaking to a vast number of people) that for a lot of local residents, there are places and activities which are experienced by tourists visiting the island that they have not yet been fully or even partly aquatinted with. For instance, we’ve discovered that there are many residents who haven’t yet been canyoning/rappelling off a cliff with Extreme Dominica, or whale watching on the open sea with local certified operators; both popular & bucket list activities of many visitors.

The timing could not be more right to become a local tourist yourself.

Preparing for your new Local tourist adventure

We plan for almost every aspect of life – from breakfast and dinner to our education and careers. These days to remain fully functional, our life’s activities mostly need to be planned from day to day.

Preparing to officially ‘hop on the bus’ of Local tourism will need you to put those same skills into play – plan.

Start by scouting a few brochures and special maps that charter out the best sites and locations in your country. The type designed for the virgin eyes of visitors to your shores.

Check mark, circle, and or criss – cross any site or location that hasn’t been explored by you, and begin planning from there. Rank them by interest and there you have your first group of locations for your weekend, ‘local tourism adventures’. Next step, get some friends on board. These things are a lot more fun in groups.

As you go along you’ll diversify into joining organized tours, making even more plans – including activities along with the sites, joining in with other adventure groups and more.

Feel free to stir it up by throwing in some less popular but not so common sites. 

Bwa Nef Falls in Penville for instance, which is in the north east of the country. Bwa Nef Falls is a very easily accessible waterfall and extremely child friendly. The entrance to the falls is right next to the main road and a fifteen minute walk through healthy Dominican vegetation, to the waterfall brings you into paradise. Walking to Bwa Nef Falls is something which can be easily ticked off your to-do list.

The Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica is rich with hidden treasures and sites. Do yourself a favor, grab a map, grab a friend, and head out to become a local tourist and discover your country today.

Written by: Andrea Louis & Dilma Bastien

For: Generation Y Dominica