Abaka Bay - Haiti Observer Blog

Noted around the world as a top media enterprise, CNN recently published the results of its 'Most Beautiful Beach in the World' survey. Its May 28th edition showed the results of the online survey CNN opened to the public, which asked everyone from the everyday reader to literal beach and travel aficionados to rate the world's 100 most beautiful beaches.

Putting the words of Haiti's Tourism Minister, Stephanie B. Villendrouin in a prophetic light, the survey ranked Abaka Bay, Ile-à-Vache's Indian name, as 57th on its beautiful world beaches list. This is undoubtedly good press for the country, and the Tourism Ministry is already making use of the accolade.

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An 8x2 mile island treasure chest, sitting prettily off the south-west peninsula of Haiti, might become an important part of the revitalization of the tourism industry in the country. Île à Vache, home to one of the largest mangrove forests in Haiti as well as anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 locals, is a veritable tourist boon with up to 20 deserted beaches just begging for a catchy slogan.

Indeed, the rebranding has already begun as the tourism leaders have described it as the 'last true treasure island' of the Caribbean; a truly evocative moniker that harkens back to a swashbuckling past sure to attract many. In its proposal, the Ministry of Tourism hopes to give the island a modernizing make-over that will highlight its natural beauty but also facilitate tourism that is self-sustaining. It includes plans for electric shuttles instead of cars, and a community farm to be run by locals.

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Lying off the south-western end of Haiti, Ile a Vache is the tiniest island of the mainland. Administered under the Sud Department, it takes up 20 square miles of land acreage, a very green island with plenty of swamp areas, containing 10,000-15,000 occupants. Île à Vache is said to be the most scenic place in the entire Caribbean region. Two resorts on the island attract the tourist trade: Abaka Bay and Port Morgan.

The history of the island began with the Spanish conquest, whose settlers named it Isla Vaca. Two hundred years later, France won possession of Hispaniola's western half, Haiti, and Isla Vaca became Ile a Vache.

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