The Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT) will be formally declared open as an Eco-tourism Site on Friday at a ceremony to be held in Pont Casse.
Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, President of Dominica, Eluid Williams, member of cabinet and officials from the European Union and the region are expected to attend the ceremony.
“This will provide much needed visibility for the trail as the latest addition to the tourism product mix for the destination as well as to the EU/Dominica Development Cooperation,” the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Unit said in a release.
The ceremony will be followed by a commemorative hike on a section of Segment 5 of the Trail, from Fond Melle to Savanne David. The group of Hikers will be formed by officials, dignitaries and invited guests to include representatives from local government, hiking clubs, schools, tour operators, Fire and Ambulance Services and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force among others.
The Waitukubuli National Trail is the latest and unique addition to the island’s tourism product mix and one which the government thinks will add “zest and excitement to the destination..”
“It is Dominica’s eco-signature, and the Caribbean’s first long-distance walking trail,” the management unit said.
The trail was conceptualized by the Waitukubuli Ecological Foundation and was funded by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica and the European Union, and implemented in partnership with the Regional Council of Martinique.
The Waitukubuli National Trail showcases the best of Dominica’s culture, heritage, local lifestyles, and the island’s rugged terrain and wild nature, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, exotic gorges and rainforests. It features the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Waitukubuli National Trail Management Unit is encouraging Dominicans and visitors alike to come ‘Discover Nature for Heritage Development’ and to hike the Nature Isle.
I wish to take this opprtunity to congratulate the Government of Dominica on formally opening the Waitukubuli National Trail. On this note I believe that while credit must be given to everyone who contributed to this initiative, some folks need to be singled out including the Waitukubuli Ecological foundation, The Regional Council of Martinique, The Programme Management Unit of the Waitukubuli National Trail Project. I also want to recognize past effort of Bernard Whiltshire and Patricia Linton among others… They all played some role in the end product.
The challenge now is to make this Trail economically viable and sustainable; strengthening the existing beneficiaries along the network of trails and creating new opportunities for those who may wish to invest their time and resources in the future of the magnicient product
A sad attempt at currying favours with the Govt. of the day by minimising the efforts of the intiators of this wonderful project by deliberately relegating them to a minor position, right at the back of the picture. This blatant fawning does not alter the fact that BERNARD WILTSHIRE is the father of this project. One may hold no synmpathies for his brand of politics but we should recognize the man for this accomplishment openly and with pride.
Is there a safety plan for the users of this project? Just asking.
I hope that Bernard Wiltshire and WEF will be recognized
I hope Mr Wiltshire is a special quest. He has been treated so unjustly,so unfairly.
We need to render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gpod’s.
Give the man what belongs to him.
Everyone will be happy to know that Mr. Wiltshire and the WEF are being specially recognised at the ceremony today. The definitely did ALOT of work on this project before it ever got to the government stage. Congrats to all! And yes… it is up to all of us now to help make this sustainable.
Yeh the cut their trail straight through my father’s property and no one had the courtesy to even give him a call. Someone either has to pay like they pay all the other land owners or there will be a gate. All you too damn unfair and one sided
Just saying…… May is Hikefest month, a successful event that has been running a number of years now, so would it have been out of the question to co-ordiate the official opening of the trail with one of the hikefest hikes as this would surely have given more publicity to both events which could only have been a good thing surely??!!!
Excellent suggestion.
It is a crying shame that no mention is made of or credit given to the person who conceptualised, laid the foundation and sought funding for this project. Shame on you mr. Minister of tourism and the government of Dominica, shame on you.
Wiltshire let me give you your flowers Sir. Thank you very much. This trail was something well thought of.
Thank You to Bernard Wiltshire.
Respect to you and the others who came up with this fantastic idea.
The China-Dominica friendship exchange that are being given to the various public servants are very good, and having benefitted from one, and visited the tourism sites in the mountains of China, it would be very good to send a team of maintenance people from the WNT to see how the Chinese have made their trails in mountainous areas very user friendly. We need to emulate these good things from China. I witnessed a 96 year old woman walking the trails and as a young person I cannot even walk some of the segments in Dominica. Not criticising, we have come a long way, but there is plenty room for improvement and we must act quickly. When we have mastered those things we can formally open. The trail is far from being user friendly.
Very true, The Asian peoples have long understood the harmony between man and place.We acn achieve that if we understand and respect our eco system with more resect.p
Oh please….go hike and stop being lazy
Dominica’s terrain is not made for all ages…………….trust me!
one reason our country not progressing is that there is not any solidarity mr Bernard Wilshire should have had Dominican behind him in a big way and demonstrate in a peaceful way since the trail was his idea
But why all you want Dominicans to go behind him nuh?
@ Waypapa Because of your buffoonery. Idiots like you who can hardly differentiate your head from your foot, has this poor country in serious trouble.
I was expecting to read the feature address will be delivered by BERNARD WILTSHIRE, since a lazy government as we have ruling this POOR country would not think of a project of this class! Look at the team that will be present. Lazy and incompetent ministers, who do not know or have a clue as to what can propel this poor country forward.
Can you imagine we have a hospital with key equipment non functional and Skerrit wasting about $30 000 000.00 on a State Devil?
ANYWAY WILTSHIRE this was the thinking of responsible and patriotic team to have come up with this brilliant idea of a NATIONAL TRAIL!
That’s true it’s his brain child he deserve to be here and honoured
truedat
Hope they have invited Bernard Wiutlshire as guest of honour in recognition of the intiative his orgasnisation took to get this trail established. We can put politics aside but must never forget our own.
am joining you mr.wilshire should be recognize he is the establisher give him what is due to him thanks.
I wonder if Bernard Wiltchier will be given credit at that function?
I have heard so much at the WNT; I thought this thing was officially opened already. How many openings can there be. This needs promotion all over the world for people to come and experience the trail. What opening again, just wasting time and money. Take the money time and effort and put some brochures together and let people know about the trail.
CONGRATULATIONS!However,many segments of the WNT are in a terrible state of disrepair.These must be attended to and made user friendly for all ages,as soon as possible.I take it that Bernard Wilshire will be in attendance.