The Ministry of Tourism, together with the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), reports that two Swiss tourists who went missing on Monday, January 26, 2026, along a section of the Waitukubuli National Trail, have been safely rescued.
A press release shared that the rescue was the result of a well-coordinated search and rescue operation, culminating in a helicopter extraction on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Officials say that the disappearance of the visitors prompted an immediate emergency response on January 26.
Over the following day, a comprehensive search effort was carried out, involving personnel from the Forestry Division, the Dominica Police Force, as well as Fire and Ambulance Services. Dedicated volunteers also played a critical role in the operation.
The successful extraction by helicopter allowed the two individuals to be transported to the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH), where they received medical assessment and care.
Both the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority reportedly expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all rescue team members and volunteers for their professionalism, coordination, and relentless dedication throughout the mission.
Their prompt actions and persistent efforts were vital in ensuring a positive and safe resolution.
In addition, officials from the Ministry of Tourism and DDA took the opportunity to remind both residents and visitors that hiking on any of the official national trails should always be done with a certified tour guide.
This precaution is important for safety, effective navigation of the often challenging terrain, and ensuring quick emergency response if needed.
Dominica’s trail networks traverse rugged landscapes, remote areas, and are subject to unpredictable weather conditions, all of which pose significant safety risks—especially for those unfamiliar with the environment.
Certified guides bring essential local expertise, safety oversight, and environmental awareness, thereby greatly reducing the chances of accidents or getting lost, said the release.
Looking ahead, the Discover Dominica Authority, in partnership with the Dominica State College, says it will conduct its annual Tour Guide Training and Certification Program from April 13 to 20, 2026, and again from September 14 to 21, 2026.
According to the release, the goal is to strengthen guide skills, raise safety standards, and enhance the quality of professional services offered within the sector.
Individuals interested in obtaining certified guiding services or in enrolling for the upcoming training sessions are encouraged to contact the Discover Dominica Authority at (767) 255-8221 or the Forestry Division at (767) 266-5856.
Listen to Marva Williams’ audio statement:
Did the helicopter come from either one of the French islands?
Why should you need a tour guide to use an official signposted, marked and maintained trail? (now I understood the concern that people expressed in me doing a solo hike around the fresh water lake). Of the hikes I have done over the world I have never seen this suggestion. Tens of housands of people at any one time on trails all over the UK for example would make this suggestion impractical. The problem is not the tourists but the trails themselves. Investment needs to be put in if Dominica is serious about actual nature tourisim (not the time wasters that hop off a cruise ship for a few hours). Once you stay on the marked trail and hike within your ability (trails are easy, moderate or expert) with due care to weather conditions and having appropriate equipment you should be safe. Phone apps like AllTrails cater to hikers. Most people hike for recreation and wellbeing. A quick 2 hour hike on a Sunday afternoon to unwind before the workweek is not unusual it’s not just for tourists.
The relevant authorities should invest in trail cameras and set up in different locations along the way that will help give a quicker “roundabout” location of people that get lost.
The WNT has been abandoned by the government since Maria, never promoted in their marketing campaigns, yet also never closed due to its deteriorated and dangerous condition. Instead, it was left to a handful of medium and small hoteliers to try to maintain what they could. This incident, and others before it, including the potential death of a French hiker, was always on the cards. All those responsible at the Ministry of Tourism over the last 8 years should be held to account for an irresponsible and shameful dereliction of duty. They knowingly allowed visitors to hike a trail that should have been closed for repair. Additionally, World Bank funds were made available for the rehabilitation of the trail several years ago, but with the exception of spending money on consultants writing reports into what needed doing (why not just ask Dominica’s trail guides?), nothing has ever been done. These hikers should sue.
On which segment of the National Trail did the visitors get lost. Visitors especially have a bad habit of going on the trails with no guide. The authorities should make it law for visitors to hike the trails with a certified guide. This would prevent this problem of happening thus resulting in unnecessary expenses to find them.
If the government had fixed and then funded the ongoing management of the trail, such incidents would not happen, nor would there be a need for guides to be mandatory. Hiking trails, far more dangerous and challenging than WNT exisit in many many other countries. Guides are not mandatory there because the authorities professionally manage the trails. The truth is that this administration is not interested in hiking and therefore hinterland trails are in a shambolic condition.
Great idea, impose more restrictions on visitors to experience the “nature island”. We’re not insignificant enough on the tourist map we need something else to sink us even further. Didn’t they also just raise prices for site passes? Like you can drive into a volcano in St. Lucia where there is an international airport that you can get a direct flight into. But you have to pay a bunch of money to get a site pass so you can do a 3 hour hike to go watch a basin of steam. This country sucks so much it’s not even funny
“Insignificant enough on the tourist map?!” Have you not been reading the global accolades of Dominica as a destination, even by the National Geographic? Does this sound insignificant to you? SMFH!
It might shock you to know that the National Geographic is not the last word in these matters much less it being ‘global’. Dominica is indeed insignificant as a destination. That does not mean it’s not beautiful, it is, but dont take my word for it, travel. I did. The world is a very big place.
That’s not right. The responsibility to ensure safe, navigable hiking lies with the government, not the hiker. The WNT has been abandoned with no person or organisation taking responsibility, and no budget allocated. Your statement about mandatory guides is made understandably within the context of the trails being in terrible condition – but its too easy – and completely wrong – to put the onus and expense on the hikers. The WNT should have been closed for rehabilitation a long time ago.