William McLawrence better known as Bill, hails from the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, “The Nature Island of the Caribbean”. He has been employed with the division of Tourism of the Dominica National Development Corporation for the past ten (10) years as a Tourism Officer. He is currently responsible for Market Research and Statistics with the Division of Tourism. He is also a Community person, and is serving a second three-year term as a local Government Councilor with the Portsmouth Town Council. He was first elected to serve on the Portsmouth council in 1999.

Mr. McLawrence, first developed an interest in Community Tourism in 1999 after attending a workshop on Community-based Tourism organized by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) based in St. Lucia. His interest was further strengthened while working with Barry Bonitto and Diana McIntyre Pike of the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network –during their visit to Dominica that same year. Mr. McLawrence is currently working quietly behind the scenes to develop the framework for the establishment of a Community Tourism Foundation in Dominica.

He holds the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands, and the Certificate in Tourism Destination and Management and Marketing from the George Washington University in Washington D.C.