Promotion and Community Animator at the Waitukubuli National Trail Project Management Unit, Roselyn Paul

The Promotion and Community Animator at the Waitukubuli National Trail Project Management Unit, Roselyn Paul has declared that the Tail/Tour Guiding Programme has received a sixty-seven percent success rate.

“For the South District there were sixteen participants; fifteen successfully completed the course, fourteen passed, the pass mark was eighty percent and one was referred in one area. In the North there were fifteen participants and nine successfully passed, three were referred in one area of assessment, one was referred in two areas of assessment. There was a group from the East and North East with sixteen participants six have already passed; seven referred in one area only and one referred in two areas. Overall we have had a high level of success about 67 % success rate and by the time the others sit the exam we will have 90% success.

The training programme which was done in collaboration with the Dominica State College saw the execution of a series of training programmes in trail/tour guiding in which forty-five (45) persons from across the island participated.

While addressing the closing ceremony and handing of certificates for the basic level programme, Ms. Paul noted that the programme “gave participants the opportunity to acquire knowledge of our local history and folklore, communications skills and interpersonal skills with the right attitudes for improving tour guiding in Dominica. Participants were trained to operate as confident, cooperative and consumer focused tour guides at the entry level of the tourism industry.”

Head of Product Development of the Discover Dominica Authority, Ms. Kathleen Cuffy

Meantime, Ms. Kathleen Cuffy, Head of Product Development at the Discover Dominica Authority, encouraged the trainees to find creative ways of trail guiding which will ensure that visitors return and tell others about their experiences.

“Education is not just about the basics that you have learnt at the Training Programme, but use the information and experience to figure out creative ways in providing a unique experience along the trail. That is very important; don’t just go by what you have learnt today, be creative, take initiatives and do things that we know will entice visitors and most of all encourage them to spread the word of the Waitukubuli National Trail,” she said.

Ms. Cuffy also highlighted the significance of ensuring that visitors have a good experience when they visit Dominica.

“We know what word of mouth does, so if the experience is good they are sure to come back and to tell at least ten other persons” she said.

Dominica Vibes News