Visitors and non-residents are now required to obtain a ticket to access the Waitukubuli National Trail.
The Waitukubuli National Trail Pass took effect from the 1st of July.
According to a release from the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Unit, the trail was recently declared Dominica’s Newest Eco‐Tourism Site in accordance with the Commonwealth of Dominica Statutory Rules and Orders No. 7 of 2013, National Parks and Protected Areas Regulations.
The release states that “This is fundamental to ensuring legal protection for the Waitukubuli National Trail traversing Dominica’s Forest Reserves and National Parks, its forest, natural and cultural resources, maintaining the very existence and integrity of the trail and its sustainability. As such trail users will be expected to contribute to trail conservation, one of the mediums being administration of a Trail User Pass System.”
Trail passes are available in the categories of one-day pass, to hike one or more segments at a cost of US$12.00, special pass, valid for one day only, for organized tours and special events at a cost of US$10.00 and fifteen day pass to hike up to 14 segments at a cost of US$40.00.
Passes can be obtained within the ports of entry or at locations near those ports and in specific communities along the trail.
For more information, contact the office of the Waitukubuli National Trail at telephone numbers 266‐3581, 266‐3593 or 440‐6125.
A lot of Dominicans always find it easy to tell foreigners to pay, but for they themselves to contribute, even much less, they bawling. If you are going to charge a fee, charge a lower fee, and charge everyone. In my opinions I believe that residents will mess up the trail more ( throw trash etc). If you love it then contribute to. Furthermore, I think the fee is too high. I was recently at a national park with scenic views as nice as Dominca, stretching for 100s of miles, and it was free. On my recent visit to Emerald Pool, the attendant at the entrance, was identifying us as foreigners/non-residents based on how we looked- such crap. I could easily pass a resident but I decided to contribute. But I still believe the fees are high for the product. I live in America, and If you believe this place doesn’t have a lot of natural wonders, you are fooling yourselves. Some people may not be happy with some of my statements in here, but being both places, and visiting natural sites, I find the price is too high. Again, lower fees, and set price for everyone- when I go to the national zoo everyone pay the same to park; when I visits the caves in virginia, everyone pays- non-resident/resident thing. I have only been in one park in MD, where residents pay slightly lower fee, and you have to show ID to pay that lower amount. I am not here to criticize, but to share my opinion.
How are the people to pay, with cash? hhhmmmm watch it!!!
I was in DA a few weeks ago and was rather disappointed with some of the fees. We paid 40 EC per person for a little boat ride to go up the Idian river to watch trees and crabs. We thought that we just had to pay 13 EC for the pass, but we found out after we got of the boat. Mwen tai fashay! We also did some of the trails which I enjoyed. Since there is now a fee I don’t think I will do all of the trails because it will definitely add up. I think that they should consider changing some of the trails to end in a river or something. And seriously, some trails are longer and more adventurous than others, so why charge the same fee? Alas I remember when I use to walk these places for free as a child. Now I have to pay for my child to walk there to!
When anyone charges a FEE like this it puts the collector of money in a legal obligation. Example,.. if some foreigner pays this fee,. and half way down the trail they slip on a rock and break their leg,.. legally they can SUE the country of Dominica for charging a fee, yet not keeping the trail safe,.. this will cost Dominica more than it will ever make. Asking for a “donation” will remove the legal obligation, versus charging a fee,.. something the Dominican government should have thought about.
Tourism is dieing hard and fast in dominica — charging for some nature trail is the worst idea to come out of dominica’s leaders to date. I am beginning to think the country no longer wants any tourist’s to visit. This idea of charging money for a walking trail is COMPLETELY INSANE, tourism department has apparently lost their minds.
I don’t think its COMPLETELY insane. The economy does depend a whole lot on tourism. I think its a good income generator. But we all know because these people come to meets us their relatives, we tend to tell certain places that they’re not foreigners which kills the income. Whether or not this can be enforced, I don’t know. But I think we have to start some where.
Who is going to regulate and enforce the day passes? I doubt there will be enough manpower to be on the trails to check that people have bought passes…
Here in Anguilla,a smaller Island than Dominica they charge you for everything just now they will start charging for your spit in your mouth so if DA charging a few to maintain the sight i dont see anything wrong in that..if you dont want to pay stay at your home and let those who enjoy nature pay and go and breathe in some fresh cool forest trail air..some people all they do is criticize everything they do to help to maintain things on DA..
Isn’t that ironic. It was the E.U. that financed this project and now we are going to charge their citizens for making use of it, but not locals. Boy, Dominicans are xsmart and our donors are suckers for real.
Who tell the Government to steal that Idea from wilthire and His volunteer group?They saw money from Europe and decided tha tthey would commandeer this project using their supporters to do the work. Now the Money done and they fraid it all goes to grass they trying desperately to save face .That is only my opinion ,What’s Yours?
Dominica, in its own right, is one of the wonders of the world.The fees proposed are just a small token for a magnificent experience.
It certainly takes money, time and much effort to maintain the various trails in Dominica in safe conditions for all,visitors as well as locals. Be negligent,and this could transfer into a multi-million dollar law suit.
Ha Ha Ha Ha .You All making me laugh!Then how come the Government Vehicles dont have insurance?
The American Citizen who got run over at the port can He sew the Government? Ithink Miss Charles took care of that if my memory serves me correctly.Idont think we want People to know all that LOL.
I had an accident with a vehicle from the Ministry of Health and I was just lucky that it had been donated with insurance .
John Paul, so funny! No, he can’t “sew” the Govt. but perhaps “stitch” them up instead! Thanks for making me laugh.
not my money dey getting for sure im not a nature person so dat nt for me .mwen parkar hike!! so dey can put all kind of user fee.just nw dey will enforce user fees for access to our 365 rivers.SMFDH
Sssshhh. Hush
Some of you are so simple minded. There are situations if you don’t have something good to say, SHUT THE HELL UP.
This is going to drive away tourists.
No it wont! Where else do you go in this world and tourist attractions attractions on land are free?
Nonsense,
All of our sites already have user fees and they enjoy our nature isle. So whats your point?
I am a dominican and i cant walk free in the lands nah man. Who vex burst. Now local people will not participate giving foreigners who have money greater advantage to enjoy our natural environment. I am all for protection but thats too much money, atleast for locals. Cost of living is already high
Can you read? It says visitors and non residents. If you are Dominican then ho does this apply?
But u cant read man!! Visitors and non-residents… nowhere did it say locals, unless my glasses need changing!!!!
Locals don’t have to pay. Only visitors and non-residents.
More hardship on people, any new fees charged never used for intended purpose anyway, just more Govt waste.
It is not all that! I was recently in Dominica and went on one of the segment of the trail. To say the least, People don’t believe the hype. It can be a good product, however, it is poorly maintained. On the segment that I walked it was poorly maintained, in certain areas I had to cut branches to get by easily, in another area there were two cows in the road. I mean tied close to the trail, so if one is scared of cows they would have to go into the woods to find their way on the other side. In addition, the way the trail is set up anyone can access the trail without paying.
Well how much in EC dollars we do not live
In Yankee dollars territory just a thought
Where I live, nation or not nation will pay to all sites, and museums that are being paid to visit, should not be exceptional for Dominicans who resides in the Country.I surely agree with you Eyeballs.
Good Protect our unspoiled land
so now visitors have to pay a whole set of money to come here,pay money to stay here,pay money to eat here and now pay money to take a walk here ,,,look nonesense who ever thought of this is a fool,next we will be charging visitors to breath our air,we are trying to compete with destinations that have international airports and many more ameniteis and action packed evnts and destinations and what do me do,,,,,,charge them for going for a walk,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,crawy in DA as usual
You have a point. We also charge foreigners more for departure tax than locals. I have never understood that kind of thinking. After all, the gas station does not have a special lower price for locals when they come and fill their tank, do they? If that was in the U.S.A. or Europe people would call that prejudice but I suppose it is ok here.
Please check to acertain whether your brain is in the right place, then rewrite your comment
WHAT — Thank you for your OPEN MIND comments,.. as a tourist, I agree with everything you said,.. other countries offering so many amenities for FREE,.. and dominica wants to charge a tourist to go for a walk,.. completely insane government.
I think we should all pay. It costs the same to maintain the trail for a Dominican as for a foreigner and atleast the foreign visitors bring in much needed money.
As 90% of the trail is along public rights of way, the User Fee will be difficult to legally enforce, let alone police. Furthermore, how does this fee set us against long distance walking trails elsewhere in the world? I am not aware of others that charge.
A recommended voluntary donation might have been a better option, thus enabling the visitor to become “a friend of the trail” with long-term benefits for Dominica.
Makes sense and more cents overall
Why are the prices quoted in US currency?? Is Dominica a Us territory or does this mean the residents don’t have to pay???
Because that is the currency used by Venezuela and China for their external trade?
Will Dominican nationals/citizens living overseas have to pay this fee when they visit their family and homeland?? Just wondering.
That arrangement seems bizarre. I hope it can be implemented without any hitches. The trail has to be maintained….I am sure Bernard Wiltshire had better ideas… It seems like a standard arrangement to suit foreign tourists…. and more tax on Dominicans……
That’s a very good move I accept it
Finally, Dominica is doing something constructive. They should charge for use of the Emerald pool, sulfur springs and anything that nature which can be used to improve the island’s Eco-Tourism system.
That’s true, but for those with long hands to pocket the money.
Rotate your eyeballs in the right direction. We do charge for visiting such places.
They have been doing that all along…do you live under a rock
pretty sure they already charge for those
Why charge US Dollars when you are in and EC currency Zone?????? How will the pass be reenforced? Will there be a ticket person at the entrance to of every trail area? Just asking?
It has to be in US dollars if u read again they did mention ports and the tourist r not gonna have EC dollars…
this is great,i live out of D/a and i have to pay to visit their sites
No need to worry about that…if you are Dominican just mix with the crowd, go hiking and no one will notice you
I would like to assume that the term visitors, encompasses all Dominicans, right?
Cheap you yourself too cheap nah? A little way for making money and you trying to rip the people off. Once you have not been living in Dominica for over a certain period of time, you are considered a visitor even if you were born and raised in Dominica
Just walk with your Dominican passport and you will be ok.
Smh
stay safe Dominicans god bless all of you on this walk I hope to do my walk when I get back gods willing one love to all D/a people