Dolphin seeking markets in the region, expanding local park services

Sabrina Gordon, Business Reporter

Tourist attraction company Dolphin Cove Limited, says it is exploring entry to new markets in the Caribbean, even as the build-out of the Jamaican parks continue.

"We are keeping our eyes open overseas," said Stafford Burrowes, chief executive officer of Dolphin Cove.

"We are looking at a couple other Caribbean Islands, because we realised that we need to expand as we grow and there will be a limit to the Jamaican market, so we have been having exploratory trips into some of the other Caribbean Islands and we are putting ourselves in the position both financially and with the livestock, so that when the opportunity arises we can jump on it quickly and take full advantage," he told Wednesday Business at the company's annual general meeting on Monday at the Courtleigh Hotel.

But the Ocho Rios-based company, which listed on the junior market earlier this year, did not signal when the regional push would happen.

actively expanding

However, over the years, and more recently since its initial public offering, the company has been actively expanding its operation in the local market.

In April 2011, a new Dolphin Cove marine park was opened in Lucea, Hanover. The facility is being expanded to include alligators and services similar to the Ocho Rios park. Permit for the expansion is awaited from the National Environment and Planning Agency, but Burrowes says he hopes to complete the expansion in time for the next winter tourist season which kicks off annually in mid-December.

At the end of its first quarter ending March 2011, Dolphin Cove — a J$1.3 billion company by assets — reported revenue of J$300 million, 20 per cent of which it attributed to the new park in Hanover.

At the Ocho Rios base, which already features dolphins, stingrays, sharks, mini-boat shows and glass-bottom kayaking, Burrowes said he intends to add night dining to the mix of services.

very excited

"We are very excited about our potential night show. Hoteliers have expressed the belief that the guests would like to go out at nights, and we want to give them something spectacular and real nice that they would be quite happy to come out of the hotel," said the marine-attraction owner.

"To have a night show is very popular in some Caribbean countries. In Havana for example, the Tropicana is a must, so we are hoping to develop a night show in Ocho Rios similar to that," he said.

"It will be unique, blending Jamaican culture with dolphin shows and a nice entertainment package, along with a meal."

According to Burrowes, no big capital expenditure will be required, as the infrastructure already exists at the marine park.

In addition to its Ocho Rios and Hanover properties, Dolphin Cove also manages the Prospect Plantation, which offers horse-back riding, among other activities, and which is also in line for an upgrade.

"We are having a serious look at the Prospect Plantation and how we can develop that property to be a bigger contributor to the Dolphin Cove family," said Burrowes.

"It has a beautiful river that we have never used ... the White River runs through Prospect Plantation; we have just never put it to use or exploited it and river activities have become very popular, so we are looking at what we can do to tie it into our operations."

Burrowes did not disclose how much Prospect is now contributing to the business.

sabrina.gordon@gleanerjm.com