Roseau, Dominica: The Commonwealth of Dominica is all set to construct the world's longest detachable monocable cable car, which will allow tourists to see the serene views from new heights.
The cable car will also be an easy path to reach Boiling Lake, the world's second-largest hot spring, filled with bubbling greyish-blue water that is usually enveloped in a cloud of vapour. Currently, the trek to it takes six hours.
The announcement has been made by the Minister for Tourism, International Transport, and Maritime, Denise Charles.
Currently, Vietnam holds the title of the world's longest cable car with its 5.8 km of the ropeway, but after the completion of this project, Dominica's cable car, with 6.6 km of the ropeway, will surpass Vietnam and set a new Guinness World Record.
Associates Times reported that the project is all set to complete in the next two years. The starting point of the cable car will be the touristy capital Roseau.
During the journey, tourists will experience breathtaking views of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO on the island of Dominica.
Some of the key attractions which are included in the heritage site are the Valley of Desolation, the Boiling Lake, Titou Gorge, Freshwater Lake, Boeri Lake, Emerald Pool, Middleham Falls, and Morne Anglaise, Morne Watt, and the Morne Micotrin (Morne Macque).
According to the Minister of Tourism, the entire construction of a cable car will cost around $275 million.
In the meantime, around 100 workers will be employed for a short time in establishing the cable car, and it will prove to be a respite for the people who are looking for jobs.
Post completion, around 100 people will get permanent employment which will include cable car operators, maintenance staff, technical staff, hygiene staff and various other services.
Moreover, the project will also benefit around 200 ordinary people of Dominica in terms of employment, whether directly or indirectly. Taxi drivers, tourist guides, restaurants, and local vendors are among those who will be benefitted from this.
According to the feasibility study conducted by the Switzerland-based company Outdoor Engineers, following the completion of the project, the tourism sector will witness a threefold increase.
The study also reveals that currently, during the Cruise season, about two cruise ships dock at the Dominican ports daily, carrying around 5000 passengers each. Out of which 20% of the people disembark to discover the nature isle of the Caribbean. But after the completion of the cable car project, the ratio will increase to 50%, and footfall will witness a rise of 6 to 7 times.
As a result, Dominica will be marked as one of the top destinations in the entire Caribbean region with its mesmerizing beauty, feasible facilities and others.
When contacted with Oswald Graber, the President of Outdoor Engineers, he said that the initiative would significantly benefit tour guides as the country will witness an increment in the tourism sector. It is estimated that the demand for tour guides will increase tenfold.
While explaining his company's achievements, he said that the company has over 30 years of expertise in implementing projects throughout the world, and they have completed around 150 cable car projects. But the world's longest cable car project of Dominica will be one of the most magnificent projects that the company has never ever initiated.
The Morne Trois Pitons National Park, which was recognized as a world heritage site in 1997 by UNESCO, will come underway while having a ride in a cable car. It is the Eastern Caribbean's first enlisted natural site which is untouched and undiscovered awash with natural wonders and covered by lush, green rainforests. The natural site also consists of several magnificent peaks.
According to the Dominican Government, since 1997, UNESCO has only provided a fund of USD18000 to the country to maintain the heritage site, which is quite less.
However, at present, if somebody wants to go from Roseau to Boiling lake by trekking or hiking, it takes around 5-6 hours, but after the establishment of the cable car, it will shorten the significant amount of transit time.
This cable car facility will provide ease for people who cannot trek and hike mountains, especially old-aged people, children, and physically disabled people.
Once the cable car is all set to operate, it will influence the tourists of neighbouring countries to visit and explore the "secret pearl of the Caribbean", and it will tremendously boost the hospitality sector.
Some interesting facts about Morne Trois Pitons National Park are:
- The Boiling Lake feeds into the Victoria Falls and White River in Delices on the southeast coast of the island.
- The Emerald Pool is fed by Middleham Falls.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest "Cage of Bones" drop scene was filmed at Titou Gorge.
Dominica, a hidden gem of the Caribbean with lush tropical rainforests and white sand beaches with crystal clear water, makes the country an exceptional tourist destination. With the aim of taking tourism to new heights, the Dominican Government is intensively working on new infrastructural projects.
Tourists from neighbouring countries will be drawn to the home of mesmerising sights after the project is completed, and the ride on the cable car will be a major reason for this. Tourists planning a seven-day journey to the neighbouring countries will include Dominica in their itinerary for 1-2 days. This suggests that the hotel business would benefit from this endeavour.
Currently, only 20% of cruise ship passengers disembark at Dominica to tour the island; however, after the cable car is built, the number of passengers disembarking to see the unspoilt landscape of the island and the boiling lake would more than double to over 50%.
According to sources, a single cruise ship can accommodate 5,000 passengers, while two cruise ships docking on Dominican coastlines can accommodate a total of 10,000 passengers. While six cruise ships will transport approximately 30,000 people, the Outdoor firm estimates that 15,000 will visit Dominica each day during the season. This means that tourism will increase sevenfold, creating great opportunities for locals.
The surveys revealed, the initiative will not only promote tourism, but will also benefit tour guides. As soon since the project is operational, tour guides will be in high demand, as many visitors are expected to use cable cars for one-way travel and trek for the other. According to reports, the demand for tour guides has surged tenfold in places where cable cars operate. Over 20,000 cable cars operate worldwide, providing a win-win situation for all stakeholders.
