Haiti builds on tourism potential
INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HOTEL BEDS THROUGH A MASSIVE INJECTION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS IS THE PRIORITY IF HAITI IS TO MATCH THE TOURISM SUCCESS OF NEIGHBORING CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES

MARTINE DEVERSON Minister of Tourism

From the 1950s to the 1970s Haiti was known as the “Pearl of the Caribbean” and its fine beaches, sunny climate and lush landscape attracted a flourishing tourist trade. Subsequent political crises, international embargoes and a negative image abroad have all helped to slow down the industry to a virtual standstill. There are limited hotel beds available, and some long-standing operators, like Club Med, have chosen to leave.
“My main challenge is to be able to show the world the hidden and unknown parts of Haiti,” says Tourism Minister Martine Deverson, who has been given the task of rebuilding and revitalizing the industry. Cruises still stop off in Haiti, but Ms. Deverson would like to attract visitors interested in culture, eco-tourism and activity holidays as well as the ever-popular sun and sea break.

Crystal-clear vision The Ministry of Tourism has the task of attracting visitors to such spectacular sites as the ruins of Sans Souci Palace (above).

At present, about 80% of the 150,000 annual visitors to the country are Haitians living abroad, who return to see families and enjoy their traditional roots and attractions like the voodoo tradition, local food and carnivals. Foreigners can in turn enjoy all these experiences together with the scenery and beaches at a series of beauty spots, such as Labadie, Jacmel and the Tortue Islands.
However, substantial funds are needed to boost the industry. Various projects are being considered as well as a new investment code drawn up to cover arts and crafts and agricultural presentations. “There are openings for investors in lodging projects, cruise tourism and tourist developments all over Haiti,” says Ms. Deverson. Already in the pipeline, at a projected cost of $45-50 million, is an airport hotel with 265 rooms of which 160 are scheduled to be available no later than January 2004. Managed by Hilton International, the hotel would promote airport development and increase flight operations at Port-au-Prince.

Cruise tourism is also aimed to increase to 10,000 tourists for a week, and Ms. Deverson is eager to establish tourist connections with Haiti’s successful neighbor, the Dominican Republic, which boasts 60,000 hotel beds compared with Haiti’s 8,000. She also aims to have talks with Club Med regarding the possible reinstating of their 400 bed beachside development.
To promote tourism, the government has set up a five point program which covers investment, partnership requirements, evaluation of Haiti’s national heritage and community training. There are projects for six transit areas and a plan to attract children and teenagers who are regarded as the tourism market’s future.

If anything epitomizes the warmth and come-what-may optimism of Haiti, not to mention its former days of touristic glory, it is the country’s number one original product, rum.
The family-owned Rhum Barbancourt company has been producing the potent golden beverage since 1862 and claims it is “the best rum in the world.” Due to its price, it is more popular abroad and something of a connoisseur’s delight, but visitors can enjoy sampling it in an exotic cocktail like Planter’s Punch to really get the spirit of Haiti.