Dominica’s tourism bosses are on a mission this month to drum up interest in the island’s unique natural features. They have designated May as Tourism Awareness Month and organised a series of activities which showcase the ‘Emerald Isle’ as “a nature lover’s paradise”.

Highlights of the festival will include Hike Fest 2012, featuring the new Waitukubuli National Trail; a ‘paint-a–thon’ to brighten up the exteriors of older buildings with beautiful French architecture in Roseau, the island’s capital; and a beautification of the market stalls in the town of Wotten Waven.

Now in its fifth year, Tourism Awareness Month is organised by the Discover Dominica Authority in collaboration with the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association. Its theme this year is ‘Tourism is Everybody’s Business, Let’s Play Our Part’. The organisers said: “Dominica may not be famous for its white sand beaches but with lush rainforests, steaming valleys and rich marine life it is a nature lover’s paradise.” They added that their aim was “to promote the island as an alternative Caribbean destination with a unique and distinctive tourism product.”

For more information and to download a schedule of events, visit www.dominica.dm/index.php/tourism-month