On August 7th, the Caribbean island of Dominica fully reopened its borders for tourism and hospitality. According to Tourism Minister Denise Charles this means that all travellers, including non-nationals and those visiting for CBI purposes can travel to the Nature Island.
In order to maintain its position as one of the least affected Covid-19 countries in the world (to date, Dominica has had just 18 cases with no deaths), the country has set several measures for non-nationals/citizens, who will only be allowed to enter subject to meeting new entry requirements. As well as completing an online health questionnaire at least 24 hours before arrival, they will need to obtain a negative Covid-19 swab test result recorded within 24-72 hours of entrance into the country.
“Our priority remains to keep visitors and our residents free from the spread of the virus,” Colin Piper, CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority told Caribbean Journal.
During a press briefing, Piper said that more airlines would be operating in Dominica as part of phase-two, with Air Antilles offering daily flights from Barbados and Silver Airways operating on Thursdays and Saturdays from San Juan.
The island’s resorts have also confirmed they have been welcoming tourists from August 7th.
In particular, two hotels approved for Dominica’s successful Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme – Secret Bay and Spa Kempinski Dominica – are Covid-19 approved and opened.
Secret Bay Resort
The eco-conscious and luxurious six-star Secret Bay Resort, which offers freestanding residences with their own parcel of land offering seclusion and privacy, was recently named the Number One Resort in the Caribbean and the Number Six in the world by Travel + Leisure’s 2020 World’s Best Awards. A first for the citizenship by investment industry – where a CBI investment real estate project has been awarded top marks in the world’s leading travel awards.
Launched last year, The Residences at Secret Bay, have been approved by the government for CBI investment and in the last six months, during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, saw great sales growth. The villas sold to date have seen strong occupancy, generating immediate ROI to CBI investors and, according to proprietor Gregor Nassief, there are only a few remaining shares left in Phase 1.
The six-star all-villa rainforests resorts’ features, including its dramatic setting in the north of Dominica on the Caribbean Sea, two secluded and swimmable beaches and a collection of villas.
Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica
The first government approved CBI real estate project in Dominica, this hideaway resort, one of the best in its class in the Caribbean, and under the Range Developments’ portfolio, was opened in October 2019. Located along the picturesque, white sand beach on Douglas Bay and surrounded by Cabrits National Park, this luxury resort is an eco-paradise and is on the doorstep to the island’s natural attractions with panoramic views of the Caribbean sea.
A minimum investment of US$220,000 in the project will entitle investors and their families to the citizenship of Dominica.
Of the resort, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, says: “We are very comfortable with Range. We are extremely comfortable with Kempinski. We are excited that they have to Dominica. Range has clearly indicated that they are here not only for the short term or medium term, but certainly for the long term.”
Unveiled in 1993, Dominica’s Economic Dominica Citizenship programme is not only one of the most established in the industry, but in recent years has been considered to be one of the best citizenship by investment programs across all criteria, from price through to processing and freedom of movement. It is also known for being one of the world’s most efficient and transparent options for economic citizenship and plays a major role in promoting social and environmental causes, and especially that of sustainable development.
According to the CBI Index 2019 (Financial Times), “Dominica emerged once more as the country with the world’s best citizenship by investment programme, combining extensive due diligence with efficiency, speed, affordability and reliability”.
Renowned for being one of the world’s most efficient, transparent and affordable citizenship by investment programmes, Dominica’s CIP delivers strict due diligence and offers one of the fastest processing times in citizenship, typically under two months. Furthermore, Dominica offers one of the most affordable CIPs with its Donation option, at US$100,000. Dominica’s lush vegetation and investment in clean energy positions it as the best Caribbean nation for life expectancy and quality of life.