Tourism Tips - 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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Since Haiti's 2010 earthquake, the government has targeted agriculture, export, and tourism as solutions to put Haiti back on its feet. Minister of Tourism Stephanie Villedrouin has been proactive in attracting foreign investment to grow Haiti tourism. But the problem is international tourism, which has not contributed much to local governments' economies. Foreign countries, who invest in new resorts and hotels, earn the lion's share of profits. Local governments receive very little, and the outlays for supporting infrastructure cost them more than they can afford. They need the International Money Fund to help carry the burden of financing international airports, road projects, sanitation systems, power grids, and telecommunication systems where hotels and resorts are being erected. International tourism in Haiti drains local economies more than it adds to them.

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Tourism in the Caribbean has been happening since before Haiti became a republic in 1804. In the beginning, the very rich traveled to the Caribbean to experience the benefits of its health resorts, some of which offered hot springs. Tourists chose which of the islands they favored according to the official language spoken: The English preferred Jamaica; the French, French Martinque; and the Dutch, Curaçao.

As the Caribbean grew to be a tourist destination in the 60s, international airlines began offering non-stop flights. This changed the character of the tourist profile, which had been only the wealthy, but now became middle-class as well. Once the hospitality and tourism industries saw the potential for big profits in the Caribbean, they began investing in the region.

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Being one of the major and historical towns in Haiti, Jacmel has become a popular tourist destination. It is among the cities that many tourists visit because of everything it has to offer. Jacmel, which is the capital of the Sud-Est department, is known for its charm, history, arts and architecture, among others.

Staying in Jacmel for a vacation is comfortable, given the number of guesthouses and hotels available in the town. What's better is that the accommodation in Jacmel is normally cheaper than in other cities. There are several famous hotels in the town, including Hotel Cyvadier, Hotel Florita and high-end Cap Lamandou Hotel.

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The three most popular Voodoo sites in Haiti are Lakou Souvenance, Soukri and Badjo. These 3 houses are among the oldest in Haiti with large membership of voodoo practitioners performing authentic African traditions. Souvenance is known for Rada, Soukri tractices Petro and Badjo practices Nago

These Voodoo sites attract foreigners and locals in large numbers. In the past, this site would attract visitors from all over the world when they are having their annual festival. The Haitian government sees a possibility for the three Voodoo sites to attract tourists thereby help the country to generate additional revenue.

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The city of Cap-Haïtien is located near the historic Haïtian town of Milot, which lies about 12 miles away. This little city in Haiti is known to be the first Capital of Haiti. Henri Christophe, who took power in 1807, renamed Cap-Francais as Cap-Henri and built his Sans-Souci palace in Milot.

About miles away from the Sans-Souci palace is a massive stone fortress bristling with cannons, atop a nearby mountain. The Citadelle Laferrière is a fort that was built with the labor of 20,000 men high atop a mountain to protect against a return of the French.

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Near the city of Jacmel and on your way to Marigot, there are miles of undeveloped coastlines. Located on the outside of town is the imposing Ti-Mouillage Beach. This beautiful coast line is located approximately 17 km from Jacmel.

While you are on the beach of Ti-Mouillage, you will find several attractions

After enjoying a great time at Ti-Mouillage, you can go to the Fort Oge which was part of twenty Forts constructed after Haiti independence as a defensive system in the event the the French decided to return to the island to impose once again slavery. Fort Oge got its name after Vincent Oge , a leading figure of the Haitian Revolution.

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