2016 Nature Island Food and Drink Festival Launched

DOMINICA:  The second edition of the Nature Island Food and Drink Festival and fifth Island Chef was launched on Wednesday April 20^that the Anchorage Hotel Whale Watch and Dive Center.
This year, the activities for the festival will take place on April 23rd, 28th, and 29th.
During his address, CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority and Director of Tourism, Colin piper, noted the heightened importance of food and drink within the tourism industry.
“There is a rising consumer consciousness about food quality sourcing, presentation in addition to the environmental and health effects of food. Along with this consciousness we see an increasing interest in celebrity food contests available through television such as food network, online and on social media. Culinary tourism here in Dominica, while it is an emerging niche market segment, is presently at its infancy stage. Dominica can be identified as a destination versed in cuisine culture once combined with other tourist activities such as adventure, health and wellness and cultural tours.”
He believes that this niche, once tapped, can bring Dominica ahead in the tourism industry.
“This niche has far reaching possibilities as it relates to our tourism product. A 2013 American Culinary Traveler study found that almost a third of American travelers deliberately chose destinations on the availability of activity related to local food and drink. We now see persons travelling for food experiences coupled with the adventure aspect of Dominica. We are ideally placed to engage in activities that would promote our local cuisine,” he said.
The CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority pledged his organization’s support to the festival which continues to grow yearly.
“With the cuisine niche of the DDA we are looking to complimenting the Nature Island Food and Drink Festival and all other smaller festivals incorporating food into a national festival which we have dubbed ‘Taste of Dominica’ and taste of Dominica will be featured for the first time in November. This event we hope will bring all Dominican culinary delights in one calendar of activities along with the Nature Island Food and Drink Festival,” he said.