Discover Dominica Authority facilitated the group “Leave a Footprint” on their first Forest run on the Nature Island. Jan Mulder of Leave a Footprint contacted the Discover Dominica Authority with interest in running along the new Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT) after reading so much about it online and through the press.
The Waitukubuli National Trail Project Officers and Marketing Executives of the Discover Dominica Authority embarked on ensuring that this event would be organized smoothly with the anticipation and hopes of continuing such events along the trail. Segment 10 (Colihaut to Syndicate) of the WNT was selected for this activity. The passengers arrived via the Caribbean Princess Cruiseship on March 1, 2011 and met with officials at the Tourism Information Office on the Bayfront. The group expressed great excitement about the day’s adventure after seeing the island’s beauty while approaching.
The activity was anticipated to last 2 – 2 ½ hours with the group divided into runners and walkers to facilitate the different levels of fitness. The group was driven to Colihaut and they ran and walked to the Syndicate reception area (the end of that segment) and clocked in a time of 1hr and 10 minutes. During a brief press conference after the event the group leader Mr. Jan Mulder commented that “This was an unbelievable experience. The trail was well marked and we had no difficulty or fear while running the trail”. The small group, a total of 6, was very pleased with the arrangements and activity and hoped that they would be able to conduct another such activity on the island in the future with larger groups.
Miss Elizabeth Wayland, Head of Marketing of the Discover Dominica Authority assured the group that “Dominica will be pleased to welcome you again to another Cruise, Walk & Run event and would like to encourage you to work with us to plan a 5-7 day package which will expose you and your friends too much more of what the Nature Island has to offer”. The DDA is pleased to continue to market the Waitukubuli National Trail as the next main attraction to the island and will continue to work with and seek groups willing to visit the island because of its great terrain and accessibility to natural attractions and spectacular views.
Leave a Footprint is a non-profit organization which also donates the monies collected from participants/registration for the event to groups and communities where their event is held. The meeting which followed with the DHTA, WNTP, DDA and Leave a Footprint confirmed that the authorities mentioned would work together to welcome more groups on the island for these activities and continue to promote the island as the choice for Adventure vacations.
The Discover Dominica Authority continues to work towards increasing the numbers of visitors calling to our shores – one of its two mandates- and the Authority is always eager to work with groups such as these in an effort to augment Dominica’s tourism product offering. With the increase of visitors it is expected that visitor expenditure will also increase through services rendered and taxes paid.
Waitikubuli National Trail…my friends and i love the segments…not too long…great way to stay fit, build strong friendships, experience the nature isle, and just hang out having fun. GOLDEN ARMY did Syndicate Trail and we loved it!
This has potential for stay over tourism!
I often wondered why the DDA didn’t publish more of that kind of information re visitor patronage of the various sites so one can appreciate whether the investments in them were worthwhile
Such a positive vibes…
this is very nice indeed , love to do that walk at some stage. lets keep the Nature Island clean and Green.
This is very encouraging