tourism - Haiti Observer Blog

The majority of modern-day Haitians believes in and practices at least some aspects of voodoo. In 1935, a law effectively stated the practice of Voodoo as superstitious, noting that individuals who participate in different ceremonies and practices that function as an offering to local deities such as the sacrificing of livestock could be fined or even imprisoned. It was then abolished in the 1987 constitution due to the change in government and the protests of Haitians. In 2003, Voodoo was officially recognized as an official religion in Haiti, meaning it enjoyed the same rights and legal protections as any other religion.

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The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has selected five top students, who have graduated from the Hotel School of Haiti (HSH), to train front-of-the-house hotel employees, in a three-month long vocational program. They will instruct well over a thousand hotel service employees in Les Cayes, Camp-Perrrin, Jacmel, and North Departments. The classes will be conducted in Port-Salut. The new trainers have all received degrees in Hotel Management and Tourism and will continue their studies at Dominican University in Fall 2012.

The HSH, shuttered since the January 2010 earthquake, began classes again in January 2012. To raise the training program standards, the MOT, in an on-going partnership with the Institute of Tourism and Hotel of Quebec, will introduce new study materials at an August conference for instructors and school officials of the HSH.

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A slice of paradise inhabits the northwestern section of Haiti's peninsula, the town of Petit-Trou-de-Nippes. Situated within the Anse-à-Veau Arrondissement, it is a commune of the Nippes Department. The other communes are Arnaud, Plaisance-du-Sud, Anse-à-Veau, and L'Asile.

Resting on the coast of the azure Caribbean Sea, its waters are home to frolicking dolphins, a pleasing and thrilling sight to visiting tourists, as well as stunning sunrises and sunsets. The town of
Petit-Trou-de-Nippes is a perfect vacation spot for those who like walking in natural environments, enjoying quietude and serenity.

But to arrive at the magnificent splendor of Petit-Trou-de-Nippes from Port-au-Prince, a journey of up to five hours is necessary. Dirt roads--the bane of many small towns in Haiti--plus bodies of water are strewn along the way, challenging travelers. Yet the indescribable beauty that awaits at the end compensates. Sand as white and fine as sugar, and crystalline waters refresh one's senses.

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Haiti, in the aftermath of 2010's earthquake, has been struggling to rebuild. Despite millions of dollars pledged to the island's repair, bureaucratic obstacles, mis-management, and lack of monetary commitments have Haiti leaning on other resources to generate revenue. One of them is tourism, a neglected area of revenue income. In a recent report conducted by the Travel and Tourism industry, Haiti comes in last in competition with 139 other nations in attracting tourism.

A review of factors that contribute to the dismal state of Haiti's tourism is disheartening. Fourteen primary areas give reasons as to why Haiti is dead last.

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Haiti has been gaining favor from many tourists but the current tourism sector state has been playing to its disadvantage. Despite the fact that there are several Hotel, Institution and Tourism Training centers in the country, it's evident that they need to undergo some evolution to keep up with the pace of the dynamic tourism industry.

Two programs, HEAT project which was pioneered by Yele Foundation and the other project under Ministry of Tourism, have been running in collaboration to create an overall positive impact on Haiti's tourism industry through Hospitality, Hotel and institution management. The Hospitality Education and Training project was initiated to offer highly professional training to students in various Hospitality training institutions in Haiti.

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The small town of Jacmel in Haiti's south is known for its rich history. Its buildings and infrastructure date back to the early 1800s and has been tentatively proclaimed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. But the beautiful town filled with great potential in becoming one of Haiti's main tourist destinations was severely damaged by the 2010 earthquake that hit the country.

With the Haitian government looking at Jacmel as being a major tourist attraction in the country in the near future, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, along with the Ministry of Tourism's Stéphanie Balmir Villdrouin and the ministers Planning and Finance, launched the planned rehabilitation projects for the town's historical center. This was announced after the Prime Minister's return from touring the United States and the United Kingdom for potential cooperative efforts with these nations. This announcement was in line with the previous announcement by the Haitian government in December 2011 approved $40 million funding for Haiti's tourism industry under the Petrocaribre Fund.

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Haiti President Martelly is pursuing support from CARICOM to re-build Haiti's infrastructure. And he is also seeking job opportunities in vocational careers for students unable to afford a university education.

Responding, Antiguan Prime Minister Spencer has offered scholarships for its Hospitality Training Institute (HTI) for students interested in the hospitality industry. To make an official declaration of the scholarship program, HTI and the Haiti Ministry of Tourism will put their signatures to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Spencer indicated Antigua has a policy of offering scholarships to Caribbean countries afflicted by
natural disasters.

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The bell ringing that "Haiti is open for Business" sounded very loud this week as Marriott International announced that it will open its first hotel in the area of Turgeau in Port-au-Prince Haiti. The 173-room, $45 million Marriott Hotel is expected to be open in 2014.

With some convincing work coming on the part of Former US President Bill Clinton and DIGICEL Team, Marriott International has decided to be among the first in the revival of Haiti after the 2010 earthquake in the area of tourism.

The new Marriott in Port-au-Prince will be able to provide needed jobs to the population and lodging for the tourist industry which is expected to take off within the next few years in Haiti. The Hotel is to be equipped with restaurants and meeting space for non-government organizations, relief agencies and other groups.

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Just look for a moment what Haiti has to offer. We have the most historic sites in the Caribbean. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. We are located just a little more that one hour from the US.

What the h.. is going on?

The tourism industry is the most important thing the Caribbean counties have going for them. When you look at whether Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts-and-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent-and-the-Grenadines, Trinidad-and- Tobago, Turks-and-Caicos Islands or United States Virgin Islands. They all have one thing in common: These Caribbean islands are focusing on the tourist industry.

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On Thursday, July 19, 2012, the president of Haiti, Mitchel Martely was full of anger. This was due to the state of the conditions he found at the Citadelle Laferrière. The president had made a tour at the citadel and was accompanied by various senior officials in the government. Among them included the president's advisor Gregory Mayard Paul, the Minister of Culture, Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Yvone Alteon and other senior officials at the Institute for the Protection of National Heritage, ISPAN. ISPAN has the responsibility for the restoration of the Citadelle which is a tourist attraction site in Haiti.

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