Trail Operations Manager at the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Unit Roselyn Paul, has described it as ‘a major milestone’ in Dominica’s heritage development.
Paul made the remarks while addressing the official opening of the Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT) as a eco tourism site on Friday.
“We are happy that you are here to celebrate once again this major milestone in heritage development,” she stated.
She noted that a new user pass will be introduced on July 1 to contribute towards the maintenance of the trail.
Meantime Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Claudia Bellot, said a new event called the ‘Nature island Challenge’ will give an added publicity boost to the trail.
“One of the new events to be introduced during the observance of Tourism Awareness Month is the Nature Island Challenge along the Waitukubuli National Trail,” she said. “This event will be held from the 20th -24th of May whereby several teams of hikers will be required to hike or race the trail through certain pre-planted challenges.”
She noted that participants are expected to record their experiences via social media. “There will also be a short segment on NBC (US TV network) to cover this event,” she revealed.
“We are very confident that this event, carded to become annual one, will attract much publicity for the trail and further enhance its promotion beyond the shores of Dominica,” Bellot added.
The WNT was constructed through funding from the European Union, the government of Dominica, as well as technical support from the regional consul of Martinique.
A commemorative hike to George Jacob Heritage park also formed part of Friday’s ceremony.
When they start collecting fees I hope SOME of the money goes back into trail maintenance. Some of the national trails are in shocking condition despite years of collecting fees for them.
…JUST AS EXPECTED… NO MENTION OF BERNARD WILTSHIRE OR WEF.
an award was acutally presented to Mr.Bernard Wiltshire. so get your facts right before you all start running your mouths… so quick to jump. gosh….
where, through the mail?
Well said Roseline Paul: the Waitukubuli National Trail is “a major milestone in Dominia’s heritage development.” Now that the WNT is officially opened, let’s all work to make this the premiere hiking trail of the region. A good complement to the trail could be the establshment of a trail museum/ visitor centre at Cabrits with smaller information centres at the start of each of the 14 segments creating job opportunities and better monitoring of activities on the trail. The museum will ofcourse provide information on the concept and all the persons and organizations who contributed to the final product could be displayed. The visitor centre should have multimedia presentations, souvenir shop, restroom facilities, cafeteria, internet cafe and a hiking shop where all kinds of hiking merchandize can be purchased… just a suggestion
Bernard Wiltshire and the WEF were given recognition and awarded a placque at the ceremony. I thought there was live broadcast of the proceedings. The European Union is full of praise for the Government and people of Dominica.
Knowing the ruling authorities in Dominica
They will be so lack lustre with this WNT just Like How they watered down the WCMF…
Not till the Regime is changed will things show Signs of Happiness in Dominica..
where is george jacob heritage park located,let the people know.
THANKS TO people like BERNARD WILTSHIRE WNT is today hailed a milestone.
Its a pity that the person who birthed the project idea and the people who initiated it are totally ignored.
My point exactly, Did they mention Mr. Wiltshire at all?? Without his efforts and vision that money would not have been forthcoming from the EU. Can we, at least name one section after him?
without political mombo jumbo;i want to recognise Bernard Wiltshire for his forsight in such a project,which is in the whole country’s interest;
this one no onecan take away from you sir.
Thanks God we had people with brains like Bernard Wiltshire to come up with this idea. Otherwise this lazy and incompetent government, totally bankrupt of innovative ideas, needed to propel this poor country forward, would not be hailing the trail a success today.
THANK YOU BROTHER BERNMARD WILTSHIRE!
I usually refer to this lazy cabinet as a cabinet of pots and pans. 17 headless chickens and one dictator = Poverty!
THANKS TO MR BERNARD WILTSHIRE
thanks to MR BERNARD WILTSHIRE
I support that comment 1000%….that simply would have been the right thing to do regardless.
It would have been magnanimous of the PS to have mentioned the driving force behind the WNT idea, Bernard Wiltshire.
I too was hoping that they would have made mention of Bernard Wiltshire who was one of the main stalwarts behind this project. We tend to let politics cloud our better judgments too much in this little island.
@ me again, don’t you think that Dr. Wiltshire blueprint is always present and that it is time to move on?
In Dominica we need to give honor to whom honor is due. We are so quick to relegate people to obscurity because of our personal biases. Mr Wiltshire championed that cause he should rightfully be recognized.
It would not have been “magnanimous”. It would have been the right thing to do.