Catalina Island [Isla Catalina] -Pt 2

Catalina Island Pt 1
Catalina Island Pt 2

An interview with Alex a stallholder on Catalina Island [text below]

At www.dominican-republic-holiday.com we like to bring you interviews with local Dominicans.

Here Ashers conducts a video interview with Alex and his colleagues Ramon and Adolfo. Alex who owns stall no 5 on Catalina Island.

The interview is in Spanish but we have added an English transcription below[cont right]

What is there to do on Catalina?

Most people go there to enjoy a beautiful Caribbean Island and Catalina Island is known for its white beaches and shallow waters.

You would have a great time enjoying the main beach which is where most tourists go on organised trips.

The alternative is visiting a more remote beach. If you have the time you could walk to the beach pictured left.

It was totally empty and offered the opportunity of spending time on a very uncommercialised part of the Caribbean coastline.

You can have an excellent walk along this beach.[cont left]

Diving and snorkeling

Catalina has coral reefs close to the island for snorkeling.

It is also a destination for many dive excursions who come to Catalina for the reefs and tropical fish.

There is a restaurant on the island so you shouldn`t need to take a pack lunch. There are also a number of stalls from which to buy gifts.

Say hello to Alex from stall 5. If you ask nicely he may offer you a tot of the local brew Mamajuana. Ashers tried it and suggested that it would go nicely in the car!

His gifts however are excellent.

Above: An interview with Alex the stallholder

Text of Interview With Alex

Q: How long have you been here?

A: We’ve here for over 20 years.

Q: And the majority of the tourists, where do they come from, from all parts of the globe?

A: Yes, many come from Europe – Italy, France, all parts.

Q: And those that actually buy things, where are they from? For example the US, Canada?

A: Everybody buys. Some are more forthcoming than others, but eveyone buys. Now take the German tourists - they tend to buy less.

Q: And British tourists? How do we fare?

A: Yes they buy.

Q: And what type of tourist tends to buy more? For example, those who come on the day trips from the resorts, or those that come in on the cruise ships?

A: Well all tourist types buy. However if you compare the tourists from the resorts - who perhaps have already been to other locations in the Dominican Republic - with the cruise ship passengers who are calling in for a few hours, the latter have rarely been to other DR locations, and it is the cruise ship passengers who would tend to buy more of their locally made Dominican momentos here.

Q: OK so how many times per week do the cruise ships come in?

A: Well now that we are in May (2009), this season (September ‘08 to March ‘09) is more or less over. The truth is that this previous 6-month season was pretty low. Whereas there used to be 2 visits per week, we only had two two-week periods last season when we had 3 cruise ship passenger visits per week. On most of the other weeks last season we only had one visit. Those cruise ship visitors would tend to go to Santo Domingo first then come here.

Q: And you guys, yoi udon’t come from Catalina Island here or sleep here right?

A: Right. By 4pm every afternoon we are already on the boat on our way back to the mainland.

Q: The boat: is this a co-operative venture, or do you have to pay individually?

A No, we have to pay 6 dollars. And we rent the shop space and pay taxes on the rental. We also have to pay the National Parks authority (under which Catalina island comes) and we have to pay the Ministry of Tourism annually for our trading licence.

Q: So, if you guys were here over 20 years ago, yoiu must have been soe of the first traders here no?

A: Yes we were the first, even before cruise ships were calling in here. What we were selling first here was sold on small tables.

Q: So what about the current more permanent premises?

A: What we are talking about here is a sort of commercial association. When those in authority administering the Island realised that more beach space was needed to offer the visiting cruise ship passengers, we were offered these permanent premises, and we said yes, “con mucho gusto!” (with great pleasure!).

Q: And easier for you no? Somewhere to store your merchandise safely under lock and key.

A: Yes of course. For example, during Hurricane Georges (1998) we didn’t have our permanent stalls, so much of our stuff was ruined down there on the beach.
These permanent stalls have been up for about 9 years (since 2000). (New trader enters) Greetings for England!! Now I gonna speak in English!

Q: So what are your names?

A: (from right to left) Ramon, Adolfo and Alex.

Good luck and goodbye. You will all be welcome and safe here. One moment please - to all the visitors: please ask for stall number 5!!!

Q: This is true marketing for you!