Sixteen Community Members Complete Tour Guide Training in the Kalinago Territory

UNDP Project leverages partnerships to strengthen indigenous tourism

Sixteen members of the Kalinago community – 10 women and 6 men – have successfully graduated from a comprehensive Tour Guide Training Programme aimed at strengthening indigenous tourism, enhancing livelihood opportunities, and building community resilience within the Kalinago Territory.

The graduation ceremony, held at the Barana Autê, brought together government officials, community leaders, development partners, and family members to celebrate the achievements of the graduates and reaffirm a shared commitment to sustainable, community-led tourism development.

Among those in attendance were Hon. Cozier Frederick, Minister for Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment; Kalinago Chief Annette Sanford; Executive Director of SeaCology, Duane Silverstein; representatives of the Dominica State College; Councillors of the Kalinago Council; officers of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and other invited guests.

The training programme was organized by the Kalinago Council in collaboration with the Dominica State College and the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association, with financial support provided jointly through the Strengthening Community Resilience in the Kalinago Territory (SCR-K) Project and SeaCology.

The SCR-K Project is funded by the Government of India and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment. The project works closely with the Kalinago Council and other national and local partners to strengthen resilient livelihoods through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable forest management, eco-indigenous tourism, and community capacity development.

The initiative reflects the collaborative approach that underpins the SCR-K Project. While the training had already been identified by the Kalinago Council as one of its priorities for strengthening tourism capacity within the Territory, it also aligned directly with one of the project's key performance indicators: increasing the number of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and tourism stakeholders receiving capacity development in eco-indigenous tourism. Recognizing this shared objective, the SCR-K Project partnered with the Council and SeaCology to support the training programme, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can strengthen existing community priorities while maximizing development impact and avoid duplication of effort.

Conducted between 21 February and 4 April 2026, the training combined classroom instruction, field learning and practical exercises to prepare participants to deliver authentic, professional and culturally enriching visitor experiences within the Kalinago Territory.

Facilitated by the Dominica State College, with technical collaboration from the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association, participants received training in tourism fundamentals, the history of the Kalinago Territory, Kalinago culture and heritage interpretation, flora and fauna, bird-watching and nature interpretation, customer service, professional ethics, first aid and practical tour-guiding techniques. Participants successfully completed both written and practical assessments before earning their certification.

Hon. Cozier Frederick, Minister for Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment, congratulated the graduates and remarked:

“Guide training is far more than learning how to lead a tour. It is about becoming ambassadors of our people, our culture, and our environment. Through proper training, we preserve and share our history with accuracy and pride. We provide visitors with meaningful and memorable experiences that reflect the true identity of our community. We also develop the knowledge and skills to ensure the safety and well-being of those in our care. Guide training creates valuable employment opportunities and strengthens our tourism industry by promoting professionalism and excellence. Most importantly, it inspires us to protect our natural environment and cultural heritage so that future generations can continue to benefit from them.”

Kalinago Chief Annette Sanford commended the graduates for their commitment and highlighted the importance of investing in local people to preserve and promote Kalinago culture through authentic tourism experiences.

“As tour guides, you now hold a very special responsibility. You have the privilege of telling the Kalinago story the way it deserves to be told. For many years, textbooks and outside narratives have misrepresented who we are. We have often said that these stories need correcting. Well, we are part of that correction. Every visitor we guide gives you an opportunity to tell the truth. Tell them our story with confidence. Tell it with pride. Tell it with authenticity.”

Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Project Analyst Sawana Fabienemphasized that the graduation represented more than the completion of a training programme.

“Today is a celebration of commitment, perseverance, and your willingness to invest in yourselves, your families, and your community. When the Kalinago Council identified this training as one of its priorities, the SCR-K Project responded because we believe development should be driven by the aspirations of communities themselves – not by what a project thinks a community needs. That is the essence of partnership, and I believe the relationship between UNDP, the Government of Dominica, the Kalinago Council, and our implementing partners is one that should be celebrated. Our commitment does not end today. We remain committed to working alongside the Kalinago people, listening to your priorities, strengthening local capacity, and building partnerships that create opportunities for today and for future generations.”

She noted that the SCR-K Project seeks to strengthen resilience by investing in people, institutions and partnerships, ensuring that communities have the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to shape their own sustainable development.

Executive Director of SeaCology, Duane Silverstein, reaffirmed SeaCology's commitment to supporting community-led conservation and sustainable development initiatives that protect the Kalinago Territory's unique natural and cultural heritage.

The training contributes to the Territory's long-term vision of strengthening indigenous tourism while creating new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and community leadership. As Dominica prepares for increased visitor arrivals associated with the country's expanding tourism sector, including the new international airport, initiatives such as this help ensure that the Kalinago Territory is well positioned to offer authentic, high-quality cultural and nature-based experiences. Beyond developing individual skills, the programme strengthens the Territory's capacity to manage tourism sustainably, preserve its rich cultural heritage, and ensure that economic benefits remain within the community.

The SCR-K Project will continue to work alongside the Kalinago Council and its partners to support initiatives that strengthen resilient livelihoods, empower communities, and preserve the unique cultural and environmental heritage of the Kalinago Territory.