Eco-Tourism - Haiti Observer Blog

Like many other countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region, 'tourism' is one of the main economic drivers in Haiti. Haiti's former minister of tourism Stéphanie Villedrouin worked tirelessly to improve this sector during her tenure. She was regarded as one of the most visible figures of Haiti's different Ministries who never remained contented with the accomplishment of tourism objectives, but worked to create infrastructure that will ease tourism in Haiti in decades to come. Because, she believed that visitors to Haiti can provide much-needed funds to boost infrastructure and create jobs to help trigger redevelopment.

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On Monday, March 28, 2016, Guy Didier Hyppolite has been installed as the Minister of Tourism and Creative Industries, replacing the outgoing Minister Stéphanie Villedrouin. His name was announced by the new Prime Minister Enex Jean-Charles. Prior to this appointment Guy Didier Hyppolite was serving as the Vice President of the Tourism Association of Haiti (ATH). The installation of Guy Didier as the new Minister of Tourism was held at the National Palace following the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Enex Jean-Charles and of the members of the Government of the Provisional President of the Republic Jocelerme Privert. In his new post, Hyppolite will serve in the administration of the Interim President Jocelerme Privert.

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This will hurt the Haitian economy and also some who thought they were immune from the the current political problem. Royal Caribbean has decided to cancel another stop for one of its cruise ships in Labadee. Navigator of the Seas cruise ship will not be going to Haiti until local authorities are able to guarantee that there will not be any protests. This recent incident is likely to inflict long term consequences to the image of Haiti. Cruise ships tourism represents more than 60% of all visitors in Haiti.

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This can not be good for Haiti. Even worst, this will likely stay with he country for years to come. Royal Caribbean cruise line ship canceled its scheduled visit for Tuesday January 19, 2016 at Labadee after some Haitian protesters in small boats staged a protest. Royal Caribbean was obligated to find an alternative for its 3,634 passenger of its Freedom of the Seas that were headed to Haiti. Although the protest by the Haitians was peaceful; however this is not what the company wants to offer to their precious clients and visitors in Haiti.

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Haiti's dramatic countryside of mountains, its caves, waterfalls, local beauty, culture and art make it a candidate for the 2015 10 Best Reader's Choice travel award for the Caribbean.

Traveling to Haiti in itself is considered as an adventure to the traveling world. Haiti has been distinguished for tthings such a rocky horseback climb to the towering Citadelle Laferriere fortress, a stepping stone river crossing to the surreal turquoise pools and gushing waterfalls of Bassin Bleu.

What do you think?

Have you been able to enjoy all these assets in Haiti that earn it a place at the 10 Best Reader's Choice travel award for the Caribbean?

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The government of Haiti (GOH) has been pushing hard to develop its tourism sector, which ground to a virtual halt after the 2010 earthquake. Recently the GOH doubled the amount of its tourism budget in an effort to take on more projects to attract tourist dollars.

Ambitious plans are being made by the Departmental Directorates of Tourism South (DDTS) and Southeast (DDTSE). Both directorates advanced strategies for promoting tourism in their regions at a strategy session held in October. Minister of Tourism, Stephanie Villedrouin, was present. She emphasized to both directorates that their action plans must account for tourism development for 2013 through 2016.

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One of Haiti's natural resources, Natural Park Quisqueya (NPQ), is holding its first Lake Festival, beginning August 23rd and running through September 1st 2013. The Foundation for the Development of Alternative Tourism in Haiti (FONDTAH) and its partner, AfricAmerican Foundation (AAF), are initiators of the ten day and -night event.

One of the purposes of the festival, FONDTAH and AAF, say is to draw more eco-tourism to NPQ, so private investment will enable increased local-product exports. The idea is to show off the attractions that make NPQ a biodiversity hotspot, seat of unusual flora and fauna species.

The Lake Festival Committee has planned an event calendar to include art and culture; ecology and biodiversity forums; and multi-communal exchanges.

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Jardin Botanical Gardens of Les Cayes (JBC) was established in fall 2003. Its goals are replenishing ruined areas of biodiversity throughout Haiti and building infrastructure for maintaining biological legacy of island natural resources. JBC wishes to educate Haitian lawmakers legislating protections for Haiti's plant- and animal-life biodiversity is good for the future of eco-tourism, and for the country's morale.

The non-government organization, Botanical Gardens in Conservation (BGCI), works in tandem with JBC to set standards for creating, implementing, and sustaining botanical gardens and arboretums globally. They have defined markers that determine if a green space is a botanical garden, as opposed to civic or decorative parks.

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The government of Haiti (GOH) wants to rebuild the island by developing its hospitality infrastructure to increase tourism. Haiti, at one time, had a thriving tourist industry, but the 2010 earthquake changed all that. Now GOH is banking on foreign investors to resuscitate Haiti's ailing tourist trade. It has signed contracts with private investors, giving them tax breaks over a 15-year period to develop resort projects. To sweeten the deal, GOH is also extending exemptions for import duties, so 11 hospitality projects can be given the go-ahead. The total sum of the proposed projects amounts to $160 million USD. Another $100 million in in-progress ventures is also on the books.

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The Caribbean contains a high level of biodiversity at risk of further degradation. The Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) has been set up to facilitate cooperation between Caribbean countries to engage in biodiversity restoration and sustainability practices used world-wide. The CBC is comprised of three nations. Haiti and the Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola, and Cuba, lying to the north, are subject to frequent natural disasters. These events weaken biodiversity infrastructure and scare off organizations that worry increases in expenditures will bankrupt their efforts.

Haiti ranks second in natural-resource differentiation with over 30% flora and 75% vertebrates native and omnipresent on the island. Despite these impressive statistics, its tree-canopy coverage has been severely depleted, with only 1.5% of Haiti's landmass blanketed.

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