Sustainable Tourism in Haiti
Last September I had the opportunity to take part in my first field assignment to Haiti under the Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP), an initiative set up by a consortium of four Canadian NGOs: CESO, CECI, FPGL and WUSC. Having joined VCP Haiti as a sectorial expert in economic development, I learned that tourism was at the heart of our intervention in the northern region, in the area surrounding Cap-Haïtien. This was the first time we worked in this region, and there were many challenges. It was fascinating since the goal of our intervention was to support our partner’s aim to put Haiti back on the map of tourist destinations in the Caribbean, in a sustainable, responsible and profitable way for local populations.
In the 1970s, the country was known worldwide as a choice vacation spot. High-profile personalities such as Mick Jagger and Jackie Kennedy would regularly stay at the Oloffson Hotel in Port-au-Prince, and European and North American tourists would flock to the Côte des Arcadins Club Med. Today, although the Caribbean island has lost this reputation, it is counting on the rebirth of tourism to stimulate the country’s economy.
Of course, tourism does not necessarily entail economic development for the locals. For example, the renovation of the former Club Med (which closed in the 90s due to political instability), which has now become the Indigo Club, does not guarantee sustainable and profitable development for Haitians.
In this context, one of VCP Haiti’s partners, the Organisation de la gestion de la destination (OGD), based in Cap-Haïtien, aims to develop an alternative tourist circuit for visitors who come on cruise ships or who spend a few nights in northern Haiti’s luxury hotels. Currently under development, this itinerary will allow tourists to better acquaint themselves with certain Haitian artisan products and discover people and places they would not have had the opportunity to know otherwise. Visitors will be able to explore associations and cooperatives involved in craftsmanship, pottery, coffee, cacao and cassava, to meet artisans and producers, to taste various products, to buy a few souvenirs, and to contribute to the local economy.
The VCP’s Volunteer Advisors (including CESO’s) have supported OGD and will continue to do so during the year in order to prepare members to welcome tourists. Site development, marketing, product quality improvement, financial management, governance strengthening: our VAs’ interventions are many and will ensure that the associations and cooperatives which are part of the circuit are well managed and offer tourists adequate services and products, and in a way that will allow them to generate stable revenues for their members.
Donate Today
Your donation helps connect businesses, governments and community organizations with the skills and support to achieve their goals and contribute to inclusive growth. When you give to Catalyste+, you empower women and drive progress in harmony with nature. You’re helping people get what they need to improve their lives and build strong communities.