WE EXAMINE DOMINICA'S ECOTOURISM FUTURE AFTER CBI

Although most media is currently focused upon the economic issues surrounding the possible 2028 termination or modification of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program of the Commonwealth of Dominica, many Dominicans see their country's future income stream coming from ecotourism, based upon its abundant natural capital. Government programs, international NGO support, and an entrepreneurial, environmentally conscious, community-based, innovative and outward-looking private sector, all are contributing to a future broad-based prosperity. We have surveyed a number of Dominicans engaged in these promising projects and enterprises, and wish to report to our readers on the status of several which we find of important interest from an economic point of view, and which we believe will drive a new and lucrative ecotourism business to the tropical island nation. Public-private partnerships, where government facilitates future tourism, could usher in a significant increase in visitors, for come for a specific reason; the country's natural resources.

The partnership between the Sperm Whale Reserve and Project CETI; Dominica has become a globally important center for sperm whale conservation and research. The Sperm Whale Reserve gives Dominica a genuinely distinctive, and unique, conservation asset, paired with Project CETI, which  brings together artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, linguistics and marine biology, in an effort to understand and translate sperm whale communication. An important factor: CETI is developing local capacity, through marine conservation fellowships, in collaboration with Dominicans. Beyond conservation this natural asset project has the potential to attract high-value tourism.

Coral Restoration and Marine Conservation; the coral restoration work associated with Oceans Forward, Nature island Dive and Simon Walsh, are prime examples of local citizens using science and practical conservation to protect one of Dominica's most valuable natural assets. Coral nurseries, and disease response and restoration work are a direct connection between environmental stewardship, scientific knowledge and the long-term economic viability of recreational diving and marine tourism for Dominica.

Geothermal Energy; Dominica's geothermal program, where its ambitious renewable energy project, funded through a number of sources, including the World Bank and other governmental development partners, is a significant development. Those contributors assist with prescribed procurement processes, environmental snd social safeguards, reporting requirements and external scrutiny. Global attention to this unique project will place Dominica in the forefront of renewable energy, increasing potential tourist curiosity. 

These are only a few of the many attractions that Dominica offers, and which can function as the replacement for CBI income in the future, should it disappear, although I believe that it could essxily be replaced by income derived from a Residency by Investment (RBI) program, where ecotourism is the driving force. Ecotourists captivated by all that Dominica has to offer will want more than a brief visit. make irt easier for them through an RBI program.

Some call this the Alternative National Development Model; where natural capital is a productive national asset - Adding up Dominica's whales, reefs, forests, rovers, biodiversity and renewable asset as a magnet for North American, European and Asian tourist business. It is conservation treated as an economic strategy, and it will work.