In a strategic move to elevate its tourism sector, the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has partnered with Dominica State College (DSC) to launch the 2026 National Standards of Excellence (NISE) certification program. This comprehensive training series is designed to professionally equip key tourism service providers in anticipation of a significant surge in visitor arrivals, driven by upcoming infrastructure developments including a new Cable Car system and an International Airport.
The initiative targets three critical segments of the tourism workforce: tour guides, taxi service providers, and craft and souvenir vendors. According to DDA representatives, the program’s core objectives are to enhance overall service quality, enforce regulatory compliance, and instill a culture of professionalism across the industry. The training is a cornerstone of the DDA’s broader strategy for workforce development, quality assurance, and capacity building, ensuring that every visitor receives a consistently high-caliber experience that meets established national standards.
A detailed schedule has been released for the certification workshops. Taxi operators will undergo training during evening sessions (5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) on February 23-March 2, May 11-18, and July 13-20, 2026. Craft and souvenir vendors will have day-long sessions (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) from March 9-11. Tour guides are scheduled for day-long training on April 13-20 and September 14-21. All sessions will be conducted at the Dominica State College campus in Stock Farm, Roseau.
Marva Williams, CEO and Director of Tourism, emphasized the program’s importance, stating, ‘As Dominica prepares for increased visitor arrivals, it is essential that our tourism service providers are properly trained, certified, and aligned with national standards. These programs place service excellence, safety, and professionalism at the center of the visitor experience.’
Registration is now open with a fee of EC$500 for tour guides and taxi providers, and EC$300 for craft and souvenir vendors. The fee encompasses all training materials, instruction, evaluation, and the certification itself. Interested participants can obtain registration forms from the Discover Dominica Authority Office on Great Marlborough Street in Roseau. For additional information, the authority can be contacted at 255 8221 or via email at [email protected].