Dominica has established a Wellness Tourism Advisory Committee to help shape policies, strengthen partnerships and develop a sustainable wellness tourism sector
Dominica: The Ministry of Tourism, International Transport, and Maritime Initiatives has announced that a committee has been established to support the growth of the wellness tourism industry in the Nature Island. The Wellness Tourism Committee will be responsible for advising both the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) as they aim to strengthen Dominica’s wellness industry, build partnerships and compete in the global wellness tourism market.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism, Denise Charles-Pemberton during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Wellness Fair. The Fair, organized by the Ministry and the DDA, took place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the UWI Global Campus Grounds in Roseau.
In her address, Minister Denise Charles-Pemberton spoke about the value of wellness in today’s global tourism sector and for the future as well. She provided some statistics, reporting that the global wellness economy was valued at approximately US $6.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to approach US $10 trillion by 2029, according to data provided by the Global Wellness Institute.
The Minister stated that Dominica already possesses the needed resources to be able to strengthen this sector and unlock its full potential.
Wellness is one of the fastest growing sectors in global tourism and I believe it presents Dominica's next big opportunity. Not because we have to reinvent ourselves, but because we already possess what the world is searching for, stated the Minister.
She went on to announce, “To help guide this journey, I established a national wellness tourism advisory committee to advise the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority as we build an authentic, sustainable and globally competitive wellness tourism sector.”
This committee will play a major role in helping the Ministry of Tourism and DDA shape policies and initiatives that reflect Dominica’s natural strengths while also ensuring the wellness tourism sector develops in a coordinated and sustainable manner.
According to the Minister of Tourism, the aim is for Dominica to become the wellness capital of the Caribbean. She shared that the way to achieve this is for the citizens to also practice having healthier lifestyles, noting that it all begins with them.
If we truly want to become the wellness destination of the Caribbean, we must first become a nation that lives well every day, she shared.
Pemberton revealed the Ministry of Tourism will collaborate with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education in order to support this initiative for the young children across the island.
The established advisory is made up of professionals in disciplines connected to health, wellness, tourism and community development, including Dr. Paula Lockhart, Ellen Joseph, D’Africa Thomas, Natalie “Sister Nats” Charles, Emma Espirit, Toni Okinina, Yvonne Armour and Dr. Renauld Deschamps.