Haiti is a country well known for not so good reasons. Many people associate Haiti with natural disasters, grand government corruption and starving citizens. This image is however changing very fast courtesy of the country’s new leadership who are intent on turning the country to an investment destination rather than a country that relies on humanitarian aid all the time. One of the areas receiving a lot of attention is the tourism industry. Of course there is no denying the fact that this country in the Caribbean has lots of tourist attractions. A lot of developments have taken place since the 2010 devastating earthquake that dealt tourism plus other sectors of the economy a serious blow. Some of these are discussed below.
First, the Haiti government has revamped various infrastructure facilities in addition to recruiting individuals who can run business entities successfully. All these efforts are geared towards increasing transparency and they have borne fruit. In the tourism sector for example, at least 8 international hotels including Best Western, Comfort Inn and the Mariott have indicatated they will set operations in the country or they will expand their current bases. The scarcity of “Hotels in Haiti” for travelers may therefore be a thing of the past. There is also the Oasis Hotel whose 130 bed capacity will cater for business travelers.
Another “post-earthquake” phenomenon we can see has been the increased security in the nation. This has resulted in decreased crime rates in the country and you can therefore travel to Haiti without fearing exposing yourself to dangerous criminals. The leadership has done tremendous efforts to educate its citizens on the importance of maintaining law and order. No one will visit a country where their safety is threatened.
If you have never visited the country, then a list of some top places is here for you. First, Lover’s Island off Ile-la-Vache is a must visit place. If you are seeking a quiet place to relax with your family Lover’s Island off Ile-la-Vache offers you exactly that. What with its tropical location, sandy beaches and beautiful scenery? Backpackers seeking new experiences will also find Haiti a great destination. All Backpackers will for example find the Carinival’s worst organized yet most fun activities mind blowing, a totally new adventure. You can also head to a beach like Les Cayes, explore the Cap-Haitien, a historic site or even climb the Citadel. The most daring backpacker can also hike through Jacmel and enjoy the rigorous hiking experience.
It is evident from these developments that Haiti is fast regaining its place as top Caribbean tourist destination just like before the earth quake. One will agree that despite the 7.0 earthquake, political unrest, chronic poverty and hurricanes, the country still has a lot to offer. There is a rich history and culture to explore, miles of emergent coastline, beautiful scenery, sandy beaches plus a warm tropical weather among others.
Haiti used to be the top tourism destination in the Caribbean. It was ahead of the Dominican Republic or even Cuba. Although this has slightly changed, the country is on a mission to regain its place as a leading vacation hub in these area. The various natural sites, the warm hospitality and spirit of the people still exists in addition to the rich culture. It will only be a matter of time before everybody heads to Haiti for vacations.
