by Karishma Matthew,
Government Information Service
The Project Management Unit of the Waitukubuli National Trail Project is making significant strides in the implementation phase of the project.
On Wednesday, July 23rd, 2011, forty-four (44) individuals were presented with certificates of completion at the closing ceremony of trail guides training programme.
The ceremony marked the end of an important partnership with the Dominica State College, the Discover Dominica Authority, the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division, Dr. Lennox Honeychurch and personnel from the Waitukubuli National Trail Project.
The participants were tutored in basic skills and knowledge in tour guiding. They were also exposed to nature animation skills and cultural heritage surrounding the various trail segments.
 Project Manager of the
Waitukubuli National Trail
Project Management Unit,
Edison Henry
Project Manager of the Waitukubuli National Trail Project Management Unit, Edison Henry, said that the training programme proves that the fact that national trail has been widely accepted by all Dominicans.
“But as you have placed your new found skills to use, the expectations that you would have taken on, responsibility of conservation and preservation of the environment is also of paramount importance. This can be done through the identification, reporting, repairing, clearing and the likes of trail vegetation, landslides along the trail, trail crossings, trail benches and tables, trail signs including trail blazing, trail earthen steps and guide ropes, educating the general public hike and trail users on proper use of the trail; educating the general public on trail use and on proper etiquette. You need to follow through on the tenets of good trail guiding and encourage your colleagues to do the same. Lead in adherence of best practices for environmental management and forestry management. Lead in the adherence of our forestry and environmental legislation. Such actions would perpetuate the need for your skills as the demand for the trail can only be sustained through its existence. As more and more persons record greater and greater experiences as well as familiarity with our trail, more and more persons, both local and overseas, will be attracted to hiking the Waitukubuli National Trail, thus seeking your services or the services of a Waitukubuli trail guide. Such actions would also reveal the dedication, commitment and value that you, as trail guides, have placed on this already significant product signalling the fact that the Waitukubuli National Trail is here to stay.”
 Programme Project Animator
of the Project Management
Unit, Roslyn Paul
Programme Project Animator of the Project Management Unit, Roslyn Paul, said that the WNTP Management Unit through its training programme aims to equip target communities with skills to provide necessary products and services that will facilitate the operations of the trail.
“The programme gave participants the opportunity to acquire knowledge of local history and folklore, communication skills and interpersonal skills with the right attitudes for improving tour guiding in Dominica. Participants were trained to operate as confident, cooperative and customer focused tour guides at the entry level of the tourism industry. The areas of concentration of the course, the parts administered by the Dominica State College, brought focus on effective communication, oral presentation, guiding techniques, guiding practise and customer care. The content of the part two on nature animation and trail heritage including knowledge sharing and experiences on natural and cultural heritage associated to the train segments and in areas such as history, geology, geography, mythology and conservation as well as resource management.
In so doing, trail guides acquired competencies in basic techniques in nature animation, basic research on trail heritage, planning, organising and executing a nature animation tour on the trail and actual practice in nature animation.”
Director of continuing education at the Dominica State College Merrill Matthew said that the department of continuing education is proud to be associated with the WNTP. He said that the training, which ran from March 10 to May 23, 2011 saw some seventy-one persons receiving training in four courses, three of which were dedicated to trail guiding.
 Representative of the
Discover Dominica Authority,
Kathlyn Cuffy
Representative of the Discover Dominica Authority, Kathlyn Cuffy, said that the training of tour guides is of critical importance to the success of the Waitukubuli National Trail.
“You must understand that the National Trail offers more than just three pillars in tourism: nature, culture and adventure. The Waitukubuli National Trail encompasses opportunities for education opportunities, wellness and a sense of place in the world and a deeper meaning of self-realisation. Therefore, we urge you to continue to learn. Do not let it stop here today. We know that you had the training programme. Some of you did very well, some of you continued to persevere but we want to encourage you to do not let it stop here. Continue to do your research. Continue to take pride in that you do and do not let the learning process end today. Keep in mind that each hiker will have different needs as such, listen and abide by the laws of Dominica at all times.”
Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Matthew Walter, is pleased that the Project Management Unit continues to achieve major milestones as it races towards its set target.
 Honourable Minister of
Agriculture and Forestry,
Matthew Walter
“If we manage and market this trail effectively, the trail will create tremendous employment opportunities and generate income for individuals and families and generate much revenue for our beautiful nature isle, Dominica. Providing services in trail guiding or tour guiding is only one such employment opportunity. For example, a joint programme with the Dominica Youth Business Trust pointed to the vast number of innovative ideas for business investments along the trail but not only ideas, but actual actions towards implantation of business plans for small enterprise along the trail.” |
