Dennis Chung CEO of the PSOJ describes an International Airport as an important ‘imperative’ for Dominica

​Dennis Chung CEO of the PSOJ describes an international airport as an important ‘imperative’ for Dominica. Chung is a Chartered Accountant and prominent businessman in Jamaica. He made that statement at a Dominica Business Forum (DBF) Luncheon today Wednesday 14th June, at the Fort Young Hotel in Roseau.
 
Chung said Jamaica has a “significant advantage” in having 2 international airports, and that ensures a constant flow of international flights moving in and out, and in order to experience that benefit, Dominica should take a step towards building one.
 
According to Chung, access must not only be available for moving people but also for moving goods. He said, “It is critical. I have heard that there are some concerns over the cost of everything, but it is worth it, in order to get the people here. It really is worth it, I mean, can you imagine, I’m looking at your waterfront. It didn’t go the route that we did – we (in Jamaica) ignored our waterfront, and it’s really a dump now. I just have a vision of Dominica, of tourists just walking through and shopping 24 hours a day; that is significant money”.
 
He added that considering all this, there is still a sense of not understanding the capabilities of particular tourist attractions, which results in those attractions not being developed to fulfil their potential. He said, “We live in this paradise, sometimes it seems as if we take it for granted, and we don’t understand the treasure that we have. I feel it is important for us as citizens, to take care of it. The problem is that, as a region, we have not always done what is necessary to ensure the sustainability of paradise”.
 
He said Dominica must learn from the mistakes of Jamaica, and develop aspects of the tourism industry to enhance productivity, to upkeep the environment, and also address crime. He added, “I see Trinidad making the same mistakes in terms of crime, it is not good, it is not pretty, because it really suffocates the productivity and not to mention the emotional scars that it leaves on children. We have environmental challenges; we don’t take care of our environment”.
 
Chung was invited to Dominica to speak at the DBF’s forum for ‘Strengthening the Dominica Private Sector - The Jamaica Experience’, which was opened to all Private Sector Organizations in Dominica today.