DDA Chairman Benoit Bardouille acknowledges WCMC patronage has increased over the past 20 years

Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) Chairman Benoit Bardouille has acknowledged that patronage of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) has increased over the past 20 years. Bardouille made that admission at a press conference on Wednesday, where the DDA and Digicel signed an agreement to partner for the 2017 WCMF.
 
He said, “In its 20 years of existence, the World Creole Music Festival has increased its pace in continuing to attract not only locals and returning patrons, but growing interest from visitors and world renowned artistes, to a spectacular showcase of creole culture and music which can only be presented on the nature island of the Caribbean, Dominica”. He advised that in 2016, WCMF attracted over 6,500 visitors to Dominica, and more than 10,000 patrons to the festival venue each night.
 
He said, “This is a testament to the festival’s brand power”. He added that the WCMF brand continues to grow in regional and international recognition and prestige, and is being “touted in the international media market place, most recently by ‘USA Today’ as “one of the Caribbean’s top music festivals.”
 
Bardouille noted that partnerships with companies like Digicel with their own regional and international appeal are of immeasurable value”. He thanked Digicel for their continued commitment to the WCMF and to Dominica by extension.
 
He also thanked the other local and regional partners who have already firmed up their commitment and support, and added, “Furthermore we extend an arm of welcome to those partners who are still in the wings waiting to join the WCMF family”.

Meanwhile Bardouille says Digicel continues to play an integral part in the staging of the festival.
Digicel announced a partnership of over $250,000 in cash and kind with the Discover Dominica Authority, for the staging of this year's WCMF.

​Chairman of the Discover Dominica Authority Benoit Bardouille