$44 MILLION FOR THE NORTH REGION
(Haiti Libre) -
Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, who accompanied, the Prime Minister, Mr Laurent Lamothe, during his official visit to Washington last week, has agreed, during a meeting at the headquarters of the World Bank (WB), with Rogério Studart, Executive Director for Haiti's affairs, Alexandre Abrantes Special Envoy of the Bank accompanied by the technical team of the WB; to the tourism development of the North region, particularly the rehabilitation and development of the management unit of the National Historic Park, the rehabilitation of a tourist circuit in the Historical Center of Cap-Haitien, and the development of the former prison of the city into a cultural and tourist center. This agreement represents an investment of $44 million U.S. dollars over the next 3 years.
A World Bank mission will visit Haiti in July to finalize the document of intervention, and the signing of the agreement with the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The actions at the National Historic Park will include: the restoration of the Citadel; in particular the "Batterie Croix David", waterproofing and structural stabilization of the Sans-Souci Palace, the rehabilitation of the Jardin du Roi, of the Chapel of Sans Souci, and of the steeple; and the development of the Hôtel de la Monnaie...
The interventions in Cap Haitien include: the design and renovation of the old city jail, which will be converted inton a cultural and tourist center; improving the Boulevard du Cap-Haitien, and the restoration of its market. For the Historical Center, the agreement also includes the rehabilitation of old buildings along a tourist circuit that will be identified.
The Minister also had a meeting with Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Interamerican Development Bank. Recall that last December, the Ministry of Tourism had already signed an agreement with the IDB and CECI Haiti, for the creation of the management organization of the North as a tourist destination. This project, valued at U.S. $2.4 million is currently underway.
Showing posts with label Articles - Tourism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles - Tourism. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
ARTICLE - DEVASTATION TO DESTINATION
HAITI'S TOURISM MAKEOVER: FROM DEVASTATION TO DESTINATION
(USA TODAY) - By Yamiche Alcindor
Haiti, known mainly for its natural disasters, starving citizens and government corruption scandals, is hoping to leave its tumultuous past behind and re-invent itself as an investment and tourism destination.
At least eight hotels — including Comfort Inn, Best Western, and Marriott — plan to build or expand properties on the island-nation, according to Paul Altidor, Haiti's ambassador to the United States. Haiti's government is also revamping economic institutions and recruiting people with investment experience in an effort to streamline business endeavors and provide transparency to potential business partners. However, challenges such as homelessness, lack of infrastructure, and Haiti's image as an international charity case threaten it's ability to move forward, experts say.
"We're trying to move away from survival mode to investment mode," Altidor said. "We're not convinced that sending humanitarian aid to Haiti is going to push us out of this poverty hole. We're looking for capital and knowledge."
Part of that move means Altidor, former vice president of programs and investments for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, sees his role as a roving one in which he seeks out and welcomes potential investors.
It also means Haiti's president, Michel Martelly, newly appointed Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, and Altidor, who has been in office about a month, plan to revamp the country's Center for the Facilitation of Investments, a sort of one-stop shop where people starting businesses in the country can get advice and process the necessary paperwork to make companies happen.
The country's leaders also are hoping Haiti's often "forgotten middle class," some of whom are providing the funds to build and expand hotels in the country, will play a critical role in the country's future, Altidor said.
Sitting in his office in Washington, D.C., last week, Altidor pointed to the Oasis Hotel, a $35 million hotel that will feature 130 rooms, three restaurants, and 14 shops, as a symbol of Haiti's economic potential. Like many hotel projects in the country, Oasis is designed to serve mainly business travelers whose increased comfort, developers hope, will mean more economic progress.
The project, which began in 2008, is funded mainly by Haiti institutions and everyday Haitian citizens, said Jerry Tardieu, chief executive of the company developing the project. After the earthquake, many shareholders were killed or financially ruined. Since then, however, the project has regained local investors and is scheduled to open later this year in Pétion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, he said.
"We are very proud to offer Haiti this rare symbol of modernity," said Tardieu, who spoke from his home in Port-au-Prince. "We have started to find certain stability that will translate to us receiving more tourists."
For Altidor, the hotel is an example of Haitians taking hold of their economy as well as a chance to show off Haiti's long coastline and create jobs for local residents. "It's a symbol of what the new Haiti could look like," he said.
Other projects offer similar hope, developers say. Haiti has fewer than 1,000 hotel rooms compared TO the 50,000 hotels rooms in the Dominican Republic, according to Altidor.
"People are going to be more apt to do business if they are comfortable with where they are staying," said Mark Williams, vice president of North American development for Best Western. A group of investors will open a $12 million Best Western franchise in Pétion-Ville by the end of this year. The project had been planned since 2008 but was set back by the quake, he said.
Jean-Marie Wolff, of Westbury, N.Y., is one of several Haitian-Americans who formed an investment group that bought Cap Lamandou Hotel in Jacmel, known as an arts and culture center, for nearly $3 million in 2006. The hotel will be re-branded as a Comfort Inn later this year to allow online booking and name recognition, he said. Plans are also underway to expand the hotel from 32 rooms to 49.
Wolff, whose group got their capital from U.S. and international banks, said Haiti's diaspora must make an effort to help in the country's rebirth. "If these people start to re-establish themselves in Haiti you will see a difference," he said.
Digicel, a Haitian telecommunications provider, plans to open a $45-million, 173-room Marriott by 2014 in Port-au-Prince. At least four other hotels, El Rancho, Karibe Hotel, Kinam Hotel, and Le Village de Port-Jacmel are being expanded or are under construction.
However, in the midst of this economic renaissance, challenges remain, said Jocelyn McCalla, a New York-based Haiti expert and former head of the National Coalition for Haitian Rights. While Altidor points to the number of people in tents — down to 400,000 from 1.5 million just after the quake — as a sign of progress, McCalla said the government has forcibly removed people from such encampments. Many now reside in shoddy homes along mountainous illegal ghettos, he said.
The country's infrastructure remains underdeveloped and Haiti's credibility remains weak as the country continues to be regarded by many as a charity case rather than a business opportunity, he said.
Haiti is years away from being an investment or tourism destination and must develop cities outside of Port-au-Prince to succeed, McCalla said. The country lacks good roads, stable electricity, a proper sanitation system, and the resources needed to train middle class people such as plumbers, carpenters, and construction workers, he and others said.
"Most of downtown Port-au-Prince remains a disaster area," McCalla said, adding that safety and transportation are among the country's biggest impediments. "The average tourist is not going to be interested in Haiti."
Some, like Mireille Toussaint, vice president of Haiti Tourism, says part of changing minds is about creating first-hand experiences. Toussaint's Tampa, Fla.-based company takes small groups into the island-nation for excursions. "We're trying to promote the hidden beauty of Haiti," she said. "It's really tiring to see only tragedy."
Meanwhile, Altidor says the country's government remains committed to changing Haiti's international image despite any barriers.
"We face a major deficit in credibility when it comes to investment," he said. "People look at Haiti, look at this embassy, look at me with this pity as opposed to someone they can do business with. That's our biggest challenge."
(USA TODAY) - By Yamiche Alcindor
Haiti, known mainly for its natural disasters, starving citizens and government corruption scandals, is hoping to leave its tumultuous past behind and re-invent itself as an investment and tourism destination.
At least eight hotels — including Comfort Inn, Best Western, and Marriott — plan to build or expand properties on the island-nation, according to Paul Altidor, Haiti's ambassador to the United States. Haiti's government is also revamping economic institutions and recruiting people with investment experience in an effort to streamline business endeavors and provide transparency to potential business partners. However, challenges such as homelessness, lack of infrastructure, and Haiti's image as an international charity case threaten it's ability to move forward, experts say.
"We're trying to move away from survival mode to investment mode," Altidor said. "We're not convinced that sending humanitarian aid to Haiti is going to push us out of this poverty hole. We're looking for capital and knowledge."
Part of that move means Altidor, former vice president of programs and investments for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, sees his role as a roving one in which he seeks out and welcomes potential investors.
It also means Haiti's president, Michel Martelly, newly appointed Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, and Altidor, who has been in office about a month, plan to revamp the country's Center for the Facilitation of Investments, a sort of one-stop shop where people starting businesses in the country can get advice and process the necessary paperwork to make companies happen.
The country's leaders also are hoping Haiti's often "forgotten middle class," some of whom are providing the funds to build and expand hotels in the country, will play a critical role in the country's future, Altidor said.
Sitting in his office in Washington, D.C., last week, Altidor pointed to the Oasis Hotel, a $35 million hotel that will feature 130 rooms, three restaurants, and 14 shops, as a symbol of Haiti's economic potential. Like many hotel projects in the country, Oasis is designed to serve mainly business travelers whose increased comfort, developers hope, will mean more economic progress.
The project, which began in 2008, is funded mainly by Haiti institutions and everyday Haitian citizens, said Jerry Tardieu, chief executive of the company developing the project. After the earthquake, many shareholders were killed or financially ruined. Since then, however, the project has regained local investors and is scheduled to open later this year in Pétion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, he said.
"We are very proud to offer Haiti this rare symbol of modernity," said Tardieu, who spoke from his home in Port-au-Prince. "We have started to find certain stability that will translate to us receiving more tourists."
For Altidor, the hotel is an example of Haitians taking hold of their economy as well as a chance to show off Haiti's long coastline and create jobs for local residents. "It's a symbol of what the new Haiti could look like," he said.
Other projects offer similar hope, developers say. Haiti has fewer than 1,000 hotel rooms compared TO the 50,000 hotels rooms in the Dominican Republic, according to Altidor.
"People are going to be more apt to do business if they are comfortable with where they are staying," said Mark Williams, vice president of North American development for Best Western. A group of investors will open a $12 million Best Western franchise in Pétion-Ville by the end of this year. The project had been planned since 2008 but was set back by the quake, he said.
Jean-Marie Wolff, of Westbury, N.Y., is one of several Haitian-Americans who formed an investment group that bought Cap Lamandou Hotel in Jacmel, known as an arts and culture center, for nearly $3 million in 2006. The hotel will be re-branded as a Comfort Inn later this year to allow online booking and name recognition, he said. Plans are also underway to expand the hotel from 32 rooms to 49.
Wolff, whose group got their capital from U.S. and international banks, said Haiti's diaspora must make an effort to help in the country's rebirth. "If these people start to re-establish themselves in Haiti you will see a difference," he said.
Digicel, a Haitian telecommunications provider, plans to open a $45-million, 173-room Marriott by 2014 in Port-au-Prince. At least four other hotels, El Rancho, Karibe Hotel, Kinam Hotel, and Le Village de Port-Jacmel are being expanded or are under construction.
However, in the midst of this economic renaissance, challenges remain, said Jocelyn McCalla, a New York-based Haiti expert and former head of the National Coalition for Haitian Rights. While Altidor points to the number of people in tents — down to 400,000 from 1.5 million just after the quake — as a sign of progress, McCalla said the government has forcibly removed people from such encampments. Many now reside in shoddy homes along mountainous illegal ghettos, he said.
The country's infrastructure remains underdeveloped and Haiti's credibility remains weak as the country continues to be regarded by many as a charity case rather than a business opportunity, he said.
Haiti is years away from being an investment or tourism destination and must develop cities outside of Port-au-Prince to succeed, McCalla said. The country lacks good roads, stable electricity, a proper sanitation system, and the resources needed to train middle class people such as plumbers, carpenters, and construction workers, he and others said.
"Most of downtown Port-au-Prince remains a disaster area," McCalla said, adding that safety and transportation are among the country's biggest impediments. "The average tourist is not going to be interested in Haiti."
Some, like Mireille Toussaint, vice president of Haiti Tourism, says part of changing minds is about creating first-hand experiences. Toussaint's Tampa, Fla.-based company takes small groups into the island-nation for excursions. "We're trying to promote the hidden beauty of Haiti," she said. "It's really tiring to see only tragedy."
Meanwhile, Altidor says the country's government remains committed to changing Haiti's international image despite any barriers.
"We face a major deficit in credibility when it comes to investment," he said. "People look at Haiti, look at this embassy, look at me with this pity as opposed to someone they can do business with. That's our biggest challenge."
Friday, June 8, 2012
ARTICLE - STEPHANIE ANNOUNCES GOOD NEWS
STEPHANIE ANNOUNCES GOOD NEWS AT THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
(Haiti Libre) -
At the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, Stéphanie Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism announced two good news "... we will inaugurate Boutillier in six weeks, in mid-July [...] as you know Boutillier is a site that is a tourist attraction for Port-au-Prince. We have already started the process of not only renovating Boutillier, but also will build kiosks so that artisans can take to the streets and sell their crafts at Boutillier.
The other point is at Fort Jacques. We are realizing the project of Fort Jacques with the U.S. Embassy, and tomorrow [Thursday 24] I have to go to Fort Jacques and Boutiller to move forward on these folders. At Fort Jacques, there is a wall that was completely detached on January 12, 2010. I have already spoken with U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten, who will soon take care of this project before leaving his post, and make a restoration of the wall and to the structure of the fortress..."
(Haiti Libre) -
At the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, Stéphanie Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism announced two good news "... we will inaugurate Boutillier in six weeks, in mid-July [...] as you know Boutillier is a site that is a tourist attraction for Port-au-Prince. We have already started the process of not only renovating Boutillier, but also will build kiosks so that artisans can take to the streets and sell their crafts at Boutillier.
The other point is at Fort Jacques. We are realizing the project of Fort Jacques with the U.S. Embassy, and tomorrow [Thursday 24] I have to go to Fort Jacques and Boutiller to move forward on these folders. At Fort Jacques, there is a wall that was completely detached on January 12, 2010. I have already spoken with U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten, who will soon take care of this project before leaving his post, and make a restoration of the wall and to the structure of the fortress..."
ARTICLE - OLD JACMEL PRISON - TOURISM
THE OLD JACMEL PRISON WILL BECOME A CULTURAL CENTRE
(Haiti Libre) -
Mario Dupuy, the new Haitian Minister of Culture has officially launched Tuesday the restoration project of the former prison of Jacmel to transform it into a Tourism and Cultural Centre. This project is part of a partnership between the Ministry of Culture, and the Institute for the Protection of National Heritage (ISPAN); with financial support from the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECI)... The ceremony took place in Jacmel, in the presence of the Spanish Ambassador to Haiti, the new Minister of Culture, and various other personalities.
"How not to be caught up by the strong symbolism of this work, because we will transform a former prison, a place of confinement, into a cultural center; therefore a place of freedom by excellence [...]
As you know, the reconstruction of Haiti, both physical and human, remains the main priority of His Excellency Mr. Joseph Michel Martelly, President of the Republic [...] It is given to us to note the tangible and indisputably positive results that are made here in Jacmel [...] We stress that the culture in Haiti is both our first, and last line of defense.
In some time, maybe some will forget that this place, a former civilian prison, was a den of gloom, a black hole... but the light of art, with such ease will settle there [...]; on behalf of the Government, and on behalf of the President of the Republic. My dear friends of the Spanish Cooperation, a big thanks."
(Haiti Libre) -
Mario Dupuy, the new Haitian Minister of Culture has officially launched Tuesday the restoration project of the former prison of Jacmel to transform it into a Tourism and Cultural Centre. This project is part of a partnership between the Ministry of Culture, and the Institute for the Protection of National Heritage (ISPAN); with financial support from the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECI)... The ceremony took place in Jacmel, in the presence of the Spanish Ambassador to Haiti, the new Minister of Culture, and various other personalities.
"How not to be caught up by the strong symbolism of this work, because we will transform a former prison, a place of confinement, into a cultural center; therefore a place of freedom by excellence [...]
As you know, the reconstruction of Haiti, both physical and human, remains the main priority of His Excellency Mr. Joseph Michel Martelly, President of the Republic [...] It is given to us to note the tangible and indisputably positive results that are made here in Jacmel [...] We stress that the culture in Haiti is both our first, and last line of defense.
In some time, maybe some will forget that this place, a former civilian prison, was a den of gloom, a black hole... but the light of art, with such ease will settle there [...]; on behalf of the Government, and on behalf of the President of the Republic. My dear friends of the Spanish Cooperation, a big thanks."
ARTICLE - REMAKING HAITI'S BRAND
HAITI TOURISM MINISTER STEPHANIE VILLEDROUIN ON REMAKING HAITI'S BRAND
(Hospitality Portal) -
Haiti’s tourism sector is beginning again. Two years since the earthquake, new hotels are beginning to pop up, new hospitality students are being trained and destinations like Jacmel are entering the consciousness of international travelers. While it’s a long road ahead for Haiti as it seeks to remake its image abroad, it’s one Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin seems to relish. Villedrouin began her hotel career studying in the Dominican Republic. After returning to Haiti in 2004, she worked at a hotel for five years, then joining the Tourism Association of Haiti as a board member. Next, she advised President Michel Martelly’s office on tourism until eventually being asked to serve as a cabinet minister. To learn more, Caribbean Journal talked to Villedrouin about the growth of new foreign hotels in the country, the development of the local Haitian hotel industry and the future of tourism in Haiti.
Where is Haiti’s tourism sector right now?
We have a new logo that we launched, and it’s the new image of the country. When you try to change the image of the country, you have to start by identifying the country differently. And that’s what we did — we did a whole competition to find the best logo for the country, and it went very well, and now we’re very proud to showcase this new image, with a new sightseeing in Haiti that has never been promoted before. Because unfortunately, it’s always the bad part of Haiti that has been promoted, especially after the earthquake.
How do you see Haiti’s brand changing?
It’s like everybody was waiting on it. Everybody was waiting to see Haiti moving forward and taking the lead. So when we decided to do it, everybody gathered with us and said, “let’s do it.” And they all participated very well. And now it’s already starting to change — I see people using it on their blogs, on their Facebook pages, on Twitter, and all this is important for us, because you need to feel identified with the new logo of the new destination. And where Haiti is now, Haiti has a total of 3,000 rooms. We have clusters all around the country, two clusters in the south, one cluster in the north, one cluster about an hour and a half from Port-au-Prince, and you actually have hotels there. What we’re putting together is to create small packages to attract clients — not in one year, but tomorrow. So we’re starting something, and I have to say that the clientele is accepting very well our new packages. With all of the actions we’re putting in place, we’re very open. We talk out what we’re doing. So people don’t just see the talking but they see action. So we’re going to inaugurate the restoration of the international airport in Port-au-Prince at the end of July. I’m going to have a whole stand of information for tourists, so when visitors come they can find information about where to go, what to do. The idea is to guide the tourists — they need guidance, they need information. My job is to team up with the private sector to give them this information.
How much new hotel development is going on?
We have some very nice hotel developments, especially in Port-au-Prince. We have hotels being built as we speak, opening at the end of this year and at the beginning of next year. You’re going to have the Best Western with 108 rooms, the Occidental Oasis, which is a Spanish brand, the NH, which is also Spanish, you’re going to have the Marriott, which signed with us last November and will start building in December. And Hilton is interested, Choice Hotels is in Jacmel, so it’s interesting to see that from the “mom and pop” hotels we used to have we’re now really entering the professional aspect of it. And for me, it’s important for the image, because the client, when he decides to come to Haiti, and knows that we have a Best Western or an Occidental, it reassures the client that when he arrives he’ll find a good room. And our private sector, the Haitian private sector, did a lot of effort in building nice hotels. They went to take seminars to make sure the quality of the infrastructure was internationally acceptable. So we’re very confident and moving forward, and the idea is to reposition Haiti this year and in the beginning of next year as a destination in the Caribbean. Of course, the idea is to create some regional development with resorts, and we have already identified our two regional tourism poles: one in the north and one in the south. I’m currently working with FONATUR [Mexico’s National Trust of Tourism Development], which will help us with the technical assistance to do our master plan. Because we don’t want to develop the sector without a master plan.
Jacmel seems to be an emerging tourism centre. Where does Jacmel fit within Haiti’s tourism policy?
Jacmel is not only a cultural centre, it has a lot of artisans, and a lot of natural sites around it. It’s a small town, and you really can create nice packages around this town. The government is investing $40 million in Jacmel. We’re going to do the whole historical centre. Because there’s a tourist port that we’re going to reestablish, and we’re really working with Carnival to do a south route. (RCL does the northern route in Labadie) We’re talking to them, and the idea is that when the visitor comes, he can just walk in the historical centre that will have gift shops, restaurants, and really recreate something nice out of Jacmel. What is interesting this time is the government is not only saying that it believes in tourism, but it is investing in tourism. And that, I think, is a great signal for investors, because when they see the government is committed on what it is saying, it means it is welcoming investment. Because we cannot develop a country without the private sector. We need these funds to develop the country, so we’re very open to doing some public and private partnerships to manage the facilities, to manage the airports. We just want results for the population of Haiti.
We’ve seen a number of foreign companies investing in new hotels in Haiti. How do you see the domestic Haitian hotel industry developing?
When the local operators saw the new hotels come in, they also invested in their hotels. So that was a good signal. We have hotels like Kinam, a classic, which is now investing in 100 new rooms in his hotel. We have the Ibo Lele, a 70-year old hotel, which is converting from a standard hotel into a boutique hotel. So I really like the synergy that this new investment brought to Haiti. Because now even the Haitian private sector is saying, “hey, if they’re coming, they’re going to grab part of my market, so I have to work more on my services, I have to work more on what I’m giving to the tourists.” And I think that creates a good energy. One of our challenges is the correct training in human resources. Because Haiti was not really a country that had a hotel industry. It was very artisanal, it was not a real industry. So they never really invested in hotel schools. So there’s only one school that we have in Port-au-Prince that I did a partnership with ITHQ, the hotellerie of Quebec, to renew our curriculum that was completely not updated. So now I have a new curriculum, and I’m really counting on the Haitians that left [the country] to study, and I’m trying to gather them and tell them, “listen, we need your help to return to the country and train your sisters and brothers.” So we’re in that process, and I have five that are coming this summer, because we have a major vocational training that we’re putting in place for current employees in the sector.
Tourism accounts for the largest proportion of GDP in Caribbean economies. What kind of impact can it have on Haiti?
We don’t have the information on the impact yet, because we haven’t had the statistics yet. But we’re studying it. Definitely, it’s a major, major economic base for all of the Caribbean. And what is interesting is that Haiti has the same natural size, the same nice beaches, the same mountains, and one of the things that I could say that adds value is our culture. It’s a very creative, very creative population, with a lot of talent. And they create out of nothing. I know tourists like to come and see not just artisans doing sculptures, but they like to buy the sculptures. Because Haitian arts and crafts are known all over the world now. You have the food, which is excellent — and it’s not just because I’m Haitian. We were colonized by the French, and the French cuisine is delicatesse. So we have the mix of Creole food and the French food. We have music, and our population is a very welcoming population, always with a smile in all the provinces. And we really want to bring tourism to that level. With all the incomes that will bring to our economy, we can actually promote and work on social aspects and the needs of the population. We don’t have to take only for the five years of the [President’s] mandate — we haven to think of Haiti in 2015, in 2050 where we will be.
So where do you see Haiti’s tourism by 2015?
By 2015, Haiti has to be in all of the brochures, all of the tour operators’ brochures, it ahs to be in all the magazines of the Caribbean. We will be present in all the tourism fairs to continuously promote the country. Because it’s not an end story. You always have to continuously promote the country. I see my country as being a new destination in the Caribbean. We are really looking forward to 3,000 new rooms by 2015, to double our rooms by 2015. So it’s a very reasonable amount. But most importantly is the master plan that we’ll leave. The idea is to give back the structure, to put the structure in place so we can be a new, developed country in 2030.
(Hospitality Portal) -
Haiti’s tourism sector is beginning again. Two years since the earthquake, new hotels are beginning to pop up, new hospitality students are being trained and destinations like Jacmel are entering the consciousness of international travelers. While it’s a long road ahead for Haiti as it seeks to remake its image abroad, it’s one Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin seems to relish. Villedrouin began her hotel career studying in the Dominican Republic. After returning to Haiti in 2004, she worked at a hotel for five years, then joining the Tourism Association of Haiti as a board member. Next, she advised President Michel Martelly’s office on tourism until eventually being asked to serve as a cabinet minister. To learn more, Caribbean Journal talked to Villedrouin about the growth of new foreign hotels in the country, the development of the local Haitian hotel industry and the future of tourism in Haiti.
Where is Haiti’s tourism sector right now?
We have a new logo that we launched, and it’s the new image of the country. When you try to change the image of the country, you have to start by identifying the country differently. And that’s what we did — we did a whole competition to find the best logo for the country, and it went very well, and now we’re very proud to showcase this new image, with a new sightseeing in Haiti that has never been promoted before. Because unfortunately, it’s always the bad part of Haiti that has been promoted, especially after the earthquake.
How do you see Haiti’s brand changing?
It’s like everybody was waiting on it. Everybody was waiting to see Haiti moving forward and taking the lead. So when we decided to do it, everybody gathered with us and said, “let’s do it.” And they all participated very well. And now it’s already starting to change — I see people using it on their blogs, on their Facebook pages, on Twitter, and all this is important for us, because you need to feel identified with the new logo of the new destination. And where Haiti is now, Haiti has a total of 3,000 rooms. We have clusters all around the country, two clusters in the south, one cluster in the north, one cluster about an hour and a half from Port-au-Prince, and you actually have hotels there. What we’re putting together is to create small packages to attract clients — not in one year, but tomorrow. So we’re starting something, and I have to say that the clientele is accepting very well our new packages. With all of the actions we’re putting in place, we’re very open. We talk out what we’re doing. So people don’t just see the talking but they see action. So we’re going to inaugurate the restoration of the international airport in Port-au-Prince at the end of July. I’m going to have a whole stand of information for tourists, so when visitors come they can find information about where to go, what to do. The idea is to guide the tourists — they need guidance, they need information. My job is to team up with the private sector to give them this information.
How much new hotel development is going on?
We have some very nice hotel developments, especially in Port-au-Prince. We have hotels being built as we speak, opening at the end of this year and at the beginning of next year. You’re going to have the Best Western with 108 rooms, the Occidental Oasis, which is a Spanish brand, the NH, which is also Spanish, you’re going to have the Marriott, which signed with us last November and will start building in December. And Hilton is interested, Choice Hotels is in Jacmel, so it’s interesting to see that from the “mom and pop” hotels we used to have we’re now really entering the professional aspect of it. And for me, it’s important for the image, because the client, when he decides to come to Haiti, and knows that we have a Best Western or an Occidental, it reassures the client that when he arrives he’ll find a good room. And our private sector, the Haitian private sector, did a lot of effort in building nice hotels. They went to take seminars to make sure the quality of the infrastructure was internationally acceptable. So we’re very confident and moving forward, and the idea is to reposition Haiti this year and in the beginning of next year as a destination in the Caribbean. Of course, the idea is to create some regional development with resorts, and we have already identified our two regional tourism poles: one in the north and one in the south. I’m currently working with FONATUR [Mexico’s National Trust of Tourism Development], which will help us with the technical assistance to do our master plan. Because we don’t want to develop the sector without a master plan.
Jacmel seems to be an emerging tourism centre. Where does Jacmel fit within Haiti’s tourism policy?
Jacmel is not only a cultural centre, it has a lot of artisans, and a lot of natural sites around it. It’s a small town, and you really can create nice packages around this town. The government is investing $40 million in Jacmel. We’re going to do the whole historical centre. Because there’s a tourist port that we’re going to reestablish, and we’re really working with Carnival to do a south route. (RCL does the northern route in Labadie) We’re talking to them, and the idea is that when the visitor comes, he can just walk in the historical centre that will have gift shops, restaurants, and really recreate something nice out of Jacmel. What is interesting this time is the government is not only saying that it believes in tourism, but it is investing in tourism. And that, I think, is a great signal for investors, because when they see the government is committed on what it is saying, it means it is welcoming investment. Because we cannot develop a country without the private sector. We need these funds to develop the country, so we’re very open to doing some public and private partnerships to manage the facilities, to manage the airports. We just want results for the population of Haiti.
We’ve seen a number of foreign companies investing in new hotels in Haiti. How do you see the domestic Haitian hotel industry developing?
When the local operators saw the new hotels come in, they also invested in their hotels. So that was a good signal. We have hotels like Kinam, a classic, which is now investing in 100 new rooms in his hotel. We have the Ibo Lele, a 70-year old hotel, which is converting from a standard hotel into a boutique hotel. So I really like the synergy that this new investment brought to Haiti. Because now even the Haitian private sector is saying, “hey, if they’re coming, they’re going to grab part of my market, so I have to work more on my services, I have to work more on what I’m giving to the tourists.” And I think that creates a good energy. One of our challenges is the correct training in human resources. Because Haiti was not really a country that had a hotel industry. It was very artisanal, it was not a real industry. So they never really invested in hotel schools. So there’s only one school that we have in Port-au-Prince that I did a partnership with ITHQ, the hotellerie of Quebec, to renew our curriculum that was completely not updated. So now I have a new curriculum, and I’m really counting on the Haitians that left [the country] to study, and I’m trying to gather them and tell them, “listen, we need your help to return to the country and train your sisters and brothers.” So we’re in that process, and I have five that are coming this summer, because we have a major vocational training that we’re putting in place for current employees in the sector.
Tourism accounts for the largest proportion of GDP in Caribbean economies. What kind of impact can it have on Haiti?
We don’t have the information on the impact yet, because we haven’t had the statistics yet. But we’re studying it. Definitely, it’s a major, major economic base for all of the Caribbean. And what is interesting is that Haiti has the same natural size, the same nice beaches, the same mountains, and one of the things that I could say that adds value is our culture. It’s a very creative, very creative population, with a lot of talent. And they create out of nothing. I know tourists like to come and see not just artisans doing sculptures, but they like to buy the sculptures. Because Haitian arts and crafts are known all over the world now. You have the food, which is excellent — and it’s not just because I’m Haitian. We were colonized by the French, and the French cuisine is delicatesse. So we have the mix of Creole food and the French food. We have music, and our population is a very welcoming population, always with a smile in all the provinces. And we really want to bring tourism to that level. With all the incomes that will bring to our economy, we can actually promote and work on social aspects and the needs of the population. We don’t have to take only for the five years of the [President’s] mandate — we haven to think of Haiti in 2015, in 2050 where we will be.
So where do you see Haiti’s tourism by 2015?
By 2015, Haiti has to be in all of the brochures, all of the tour operators’ brochures, it ahs to be in all the magazines of the Caribbean. We will be present in all the tourism fairs to continuously promote the country. Because it’s not an end story. You always have to continuously promote the country. I see my country as being a new destination in the Caribbean. We are really looking forward to 3,000 new rooms by 2015, to double our rooms by 2015. So it’s a very reasonable amount. But most importantly is the master plan that we’ll leave. The idea is to give back the structure, to put the structure in place so we can be a new, developed country in 2030.
ARTICLE - BEST WESTERN PREMIER IN NOV.
THE BEST WESTERN PREMIER WILL OPEN IN NOVEMBER
(Haiti Libre) -
The Best Western Hotel Premier, whose opening is scheduled for November in Pétion Ville "will be the first U.S. branded hotel on the island," declared Rich Cortese, vice president of Aimbridge Hospitality, the Dallas-based firm that will manage the hotel. With its seven floors and 106 rooms, the hotel will cost the group Carabimmo, more than $10 million. Locally funded, it will be largely owned by Haitians and will create 150 direct jobs, exclusively Haitian.
Mark Williams, vice president of North American development for Best Western indicated that this will be the fifth Best Western in the Caribbean, and its first in Haiti. "The service will be five-star", explaining that there will be two lounges, a spa, 24-hour doormen and concierge service, as befits a hotel designed to facilitate business. With a large lobby bar on the ground floor, a restaurant bar upstairs with a beautiful view of Port-au-Prince and 2,000 square feet of meeting space. Each room will include a 40 inch flat screen TV. The hotel will have Wi-Fi throughout, as well as 24-hour laundry service.
Rich Cortese indicates that rates will be between $170 and $235 dollars and the Best Western Premier, will target business travelers, aid workers (NGOs), entrepreneurs, families of the Diaspora, and tourists, saying that he felt safe in Haiti. Mark Williams, who visited Haiti for the first time this month, abounds in the same direction. "It’s just like any other country that you don’t know about, and you take precautions", stressing that the new government is taking steps to significantly improve tourism in the country.
(Haiti Libre) -
The Best Western Hotel Premier, whose opening is scheduled for November in Pétion Ville "will be the first U.S. branded hotel on the island," declared Rich Cortese, vice president of Aimbridge Hospitality, the Dallas-based firm that will manage the hotel. With its seven floors and 106 rooms, the hotel will cost the group Carabimmo, more than $10 million. Locally funded, it will be largely owned by Haitians and will create 150 direct jobs, exclusively Haitian.
Mark Williams, vice president of North American development for Best Western indicated that this will be the fifth Best Western in the Caribbean, and its first in Haiti. "The service will be five-star", explaining that there will be two lounges, a spa, 24-hour doormen and concierge service, as befits a hotel designed to facilitate business. With a large lobby bar on the ground floor, a restaurant bar upstairs with a beautiful view of Port-au-Prince and 2,000 square feet of meeting space. Each room will include a 40 inch flat screen TV. The hotel will have Wi-Fi throughout, as well as 24-hour laundry service.
Rich Cortese indicates that rates will be between $170 and $235 dollars and the Best Western Premier, will target business travelers, aid workers (NGOs), entrepreneurs, families of the Diaspora, and tourists, saying that he felt safe in Haiti. Mark Williams, who visited Haiti for the first time this month, abounds in the same direction. "It’s just like any other country that you don’t know about, and you take precautions", stressing that the new government is taking steps to significantly improve tourism in the country.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
ARTICLE - TOURISM - TRAINING + INVESTMENT
STEPHANIE TALKING ABOUT TRAINING AND INVESTMENT
(Haiti Libre) -
Tuesday, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism had a meeting with Mr. Bolivar Troncoso, Director of the School of Tourism at the University O&M of the Dominican Republic, the President of the Pan American School of Hospitality and Tourisme (CONPEHT), and Denise Reyes, of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores).
The Ministry of Tourism of Haiti will collaborate with the CONPEHT so that young Haitians trained in hospitality and tourism in the Dominican Republic, can come and work in Haiti to train professionals in the sector. The first courses will take place this summer.
That same day, the Minister also met Monica Vazquez the economic and commercial councilor, and David Munoz, both of the Spanish Embassy in Port-au-Prince, to discuss investment opportunities for hotel chains, and other Spanish companies in the tourism areas of Haiti.
(Haiti Libre) -
Tuesday, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism had a meeting with Mr. Bolivar Troncoso, Director of the School of Tourism at the University O&M of the Dominican Republic, the President of the Pan American School of Hospitality and Tourisme (CONPEHT), and Denise Reyes, of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores).
The Ministry of Tourism of Haiti will collaborate with the CONPEHT so that young Haitians trained in hospitality and tourism in the Dominican Republic, can come and work in Haiti to train professionals in the sector. The first courses will take place this summer.
That same day, the Minister also met Monica Vazquez the economic and commercial councilor, and David Munoz, both of the Spanish Embassy in Port-au-Prince, to discuss investment opportunities for hotel chains, and other Spanish companies in the tourism areas of Haiti.
Monday, June 4, 2012
ARTICLE - MESSAGE FROM MINISTER OF TOURISM
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF TOURISM
(Haiti Libre) -
The Minister of Tourism, Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin, notes that tourism is a key sector for economic development, and an employment opportunity for many Haitians, allowing them to improve the lives of many Haitian families. In her message, the Minister explains :
"A country of the Caribbean like ours can not afford to stay off the tourist circuit. In Haiti, we must attract some of the 20 million tourists who visit each year the Caribbean, of course with an offer different and original.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Government of Haiti are actively working to improve access, with the extension of some regional airports and major road improvements. We also are working with the private sector to improve housing, transport, and the management of tourists from the airport to their place of residence.
We are launching an ambitious plan to restore monuments, and train qualified professionals to make a more pleasant stay for visitors.
Major hotel chains like Marriot, Best Western, NH and Occidental will open the doors of new international standard hotels to accommodate visitors.
As you can see, we are putting our enthusiasm and are working to attract new visitors, and to welcome our compatriots of the Diaspora, to finally show the world, this new image of Haiti.
Throughout this process, we have shown the new face of tourism in Haiti, an image that we want to convey; with force, the beauty and the optimism of our country through the red hibiscus; a characteristic of Haiti under the sun, that shines, and a new slogan 'Experience it !', which invites visitors to discover Haiti for themselves.
I therefore invite you dear friends to discover this other image of Haiti, this new face; we are awaiting you. Thank you."
(Haiti Libre) -
The Minister of Tourism, Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin, notes that tourism is a key sector for economic development, and an employment opportunity for many Haitians, allowing them to improve the lives of many Haitian families. In her message, the Minister explains :
"A country of the Caribbean like ours can not afford to stay off the tourist circuit. In Haiti, we must attract some of the 20 million tourists who visit each year the Caribbean, of course with an offer different and original.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Government of Haiti are actively working to improve access, with the extension of some regional airports and major road improvements. We also are working with the private sector to improve housing, transport, and the management of tourists from the airport to their place of residence.
We are launching an ambitious plan to restore monuments, and train qualified professionals to make a more pleasant stay for visitors.
Major hotel chains like Marriot, Best Western, NH and Occidental will open the doors of new international standard hotels to accommodate visitors.
As you can see, we are putting our enthusiasm and are working to attract new visitors, and to welcome our compatriots of the Diaspora, to finally show the world, this new image of Haiti.
Throughout this process, we have shown the new face of tourism in Haiti, an image that we want to convey; with force, the beauty and the optimism of our country through the red hibiscus; a characteristic of Haiti under the sun, that shines, and a new slogan 'Experience it !', which invites visitors to discover Haiti for themselves.
I therefore invite you dear friends to discover this other image of Haiti, this new face; we are awaiting you. Thank you."
Sunday, June 3, 2012
ARTICLE - $40 MILLION FOR JACMEL
$40 MILLION FOR JACMEL
(Haiti Libre) -
Tuesday, took place a working meeting between officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Development Agency, "Atout-France", to present the tourism potential of different regions of Haiti. Thursday, after the Council of Ministers, Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism has provided an update on the visit of the French Agency, and the important decisions taken in the Council of Ministers concerning the development and positioning of the city of Jacmel, as a key destination in Haiti...
"[...] With the delegation from the Tourism Development Agency "Atout France" we had a day of work Tuesday. They went to visit different regions, Jacmel, Côtes Arcadins, Port-au-Prince, the metropolitan area, the observatory ... They are very satisfied and have reassured us, telling us that yes we have a product we can sell tomorrow; but we must structured, and organize it...
We know that when we speak of the country, it is very large, but when we take a specific product, a specific region and we want to give our support, it makes more sense to get results in the short term [...] we have voted [in the Council of Minister Wednesday] a total budget of $40 million for Jacmel. This amount will be invested in tourism infrastructure, so that we develop and position Jacmel, as a key tourist city [...]
There is a first tranche of $20 million that is already unlocked, and I said yesterday in the Council of Ministers, that all projects will be available as of June 14, to find out in what the money will be invested in the very short term. During the session, I also asked when the remaining 20 million will be disbursed. They told me that every month, an account will be supplied for this purpose [...] Now it is necessary that I have a technical, professional assistance which can properly position the accompaniment of the population, to increase awareness [...] so that the city is clean...
$400,000 was also released to make the market of Jacmel outside the city. Thus, we can recover the old market of Jacmel, an old building full of charm, of the 1800s...
We will move the market and also people who are in the streets of Jacmel, to really make the city an important tourist destination. Strategically, the approximation we will do with France, will help us to position Jacmel, and will provide us the technical assistance that we need. It's very positive for tourism in general in Haiti..."
(Haiti Libre) -
Tuesday, took place a working meeting between officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Development Agency, "Atout-France", to present the tourism potential of different regions of Haiti. Thursday, after the Council of Ministers, Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism has provided an update on the visit of the French Agency, and the important decisions taken in the Council of Ministers concerning the development and positioning of the city of Jacmel, as a key destination in Haiti...
"[...] With the delegation from the Tourism Development Agency "Atout France" we had a day of work Tuesday. They went to visit different regions, Jacmel, Côtes Arcadins, Port-au-Prince, the metropolitan area, the observatory ... They are very satisfied and have reassured us, telling us that yes we have a product we can sell tomorrow; but we must structured, and organize it...
We know that when we speak of the country, it is very large, but when we take a specific product, a specific region and we want to give our support, it makes more sense to get results in the short term [...] we have voted [in the Council of Minister Wednesday] a total budget of $40 million for Jacmel. This amount will be invested in tourism infrastructure, so that we develop and position Jacmel, as a key tourist city [...]
There is a first tranche of $20 million that is already unlocked, and I said yesterday in the Council of Ministers, that all projects will be available as of June 14, to find out in what the money will be invested in the very short term. During the session, I also asked when the remaining 20 million will be disbursed. They told me that every month, an account will be supplied for this purpose [...] Now it is necessary that I have a technical, professional assistance which can properly position the accompaniment of the population, to increase awareness [...] so that the city is clean...
$400,000 was also released to make the market of Jacmel outside the city. Thus, we can recover the old market of Jacmel, an old building full of charm, of the 1800s...
We will move the market and also people who are in the streets of Jacmel, to really make the city an important tourist destination. Strategically, the approximation we will do with France, will help us to position Jacmel, and will provide us the technical assistance that we need. It's very positive for tourism in general in Haiti..."
ARTICLE - OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF HAITI IMAGE
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE NEW IMAGE OF HAITI
(Haiti Libre) -
Friday June 1st, the Ministry of Tourism has officially launched its new logo, and its new slogan at the Karibe Convention Center, under the patronage of President Michel Martelly and the First Lady, Sophia Martelly.
This new image to promote leisure tourism in Haiti, falls within the general framework of the image change driven by President Michel Joseph Martelly, to give value to the country's attractiveness towards tourists and investors.
"Aware of the role to be played by tourism, the development process has started. I have instructed the Minister to do everything possible to ensure that the industry extends its multiplied effects with positive impacts on agriculture, handicrafts and employment", says President Michel J. Martelly. "I note with satisfaction the encouraging results the Ministry is already reaping, as the arrival of large international hotel chains are reflecting the growing interest in Haiti."
Between March 10th and 31st, the Ministry of Tourism received almost 400 logo proposals and slogans as part of a competition launched through social networks. "For the Ministry of Tourism, it was important to involve as many people as possible in this process both in Haiti and the Haitian diaspora, to build together this new image," explained Stéphanie Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism. "From this point of view, participation has been a success, as there were over 26,000 votes, and the multiplier effect of social networks has created a wave of patriotism and helped highlight a positive image of Haiti," said the Minister.
The final choice fell on the logo 'choublak', by Xavier Delatour. This logo (the word "Haiti", decorated with a hibiscus flower and a sun) evokes the charm of nature and the deep beauty of the country and its landscape.
The slogan chosen is "Experience it!", by Diana Pierre-Louis. This slogan sums up the powerful and intense experience that is often experienced by visitors who discover Haiti for the first time. It’s an invitation to discover for themselves the countless riches of the country, and intense sensations it provides.
During communication campaigns aimed at Francophone, Creole, and Hispanic communities, that slogan will be translated into French by: "Vivez l’expérience!", in Creole by: "Se la pou'w la!" and in Spanish by: "Vive la experiencia !"
This new image to promote leisure tourism in Haiti, falls within the general framework of the image change driven by President Michel Joseph Martelly, to give value to the country's attractiveness towards tourists and investors.
"Aware of the role to be played by tourism, the development process has started. I have instructed the Minister to do everything possible to ensure that the industry extends its multiplied effects with positive impacts on agriculture, handicrafts and employment", says President Michel J. Martelly. "I note with satisfaction the encouraging results the Ministry is already reaping, as the arrival of large international hotel chains are reflecting the growing interest in Haiti."
Between March 10th and 31st, the Ministry of Tourism received almost 400 logo proposals and slogans as part of a competition launched through social networks. "For the Ministry of Tourism, it was important to involve as many people as possible in this process both in Haiti and the Haitian diaspora, to build together this new image," explained Stéphanie Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism. "From this point of view, participation has been a success, as there were over 26,000 votes, and the multiplier effect of social networks has created a wave of patriotism and helped highlight a positive image of Haiti," said the Minister.
The final choice fell on the logo 'choublak', by Xavier Delatour. This logo (the word "Haiti", decorated with a hibiscus flower and a sun) evokes the charm of nature and the deep beauty of the country and its landscape.
The slogan chosen is "Experience it!", by Diana Pierre-Louis. This slogan sums up the powerful and intense experience that is often experienced by visitors who discover Haiti for the first time. It’s an invitation to discover for themselves the countless riches of the country, and intense sensations it provides.
During communication campaigns aimed at Francophone, Creole, and Hispanic communities, that slogan will be translated into French by: "Vivez l’expérience!", in Creole by: "Se la pou'w la!" and in Spanish by: "Vive la experiencia !"
Friday, May 4, 2012
ARTICLE - ROYAL CARIBBEAN IN HAITI
THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE, IS INTERESTED IN OUR HISTORIC SITES
(Haiti Libre) -
This Tuesday 1 May 2012, fifteen crew members from the "Freedom of the Seas", one of the cruise ships of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), have visited the Citadelle and Sans Souci Palace, classified as historical heritage sites, in order to verify the quality of tourism products, and the structures of receptions.
This visit could foster the establishment of a circuit of visits to historical monuments and sites for the thousands of tourists cruising on the RCC, that dock each week on the north coast, and whose stay is limited to the private beaches of Labadee, and to the local visits of local crafts shops, without leaving Cap Haitien.
Ms. Dieudonne Luma Etienne, Director of the Ministry of Tourism in the North, who accompanied the crew members in these exploratory visits, welcomed this initiative. "This is a victory, to be able to get tourists from the Royal Caribbean to the citadelle [...] They gave us some tips on improving the reception, and to better control the services of travel on horseback, as well as for the sale of our craft products".
That same day, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, was in Jacmel to attend the Mass celebrated on the Feast of Jacmel, May 1st. Subsequently she went to the marina, where she was awarded an Honorary Citizen of the city of Jacmel, because of her dedication to the cause of tourism in Haiti, and particularly for the city of Jacmel. During this ceremony, the Mayor of Jacmel symbolically handed her the keys to the city.
The Minister expressed her gratitude to the local authorities, and to the population of Jacmel, and reiterated her commitment to implement tourism projects, restoration work and of construction of certain sites in Jacmel, the city of Simon Bolivar; that the Colombia will fund as part of their bilateral relations.
This Tuesday 1 May 2012, fifteen crew members from the "Freedom of the Seas", one of the cruise ships of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), have visited the Citadelle and Sans Souci Palace, classified as historical heritage sites, in order to verify the quality of tourism products, and the structures of receptions.
This visit could foster the establishment of a circuit of visits to historical monuments and sites for the thousands of tourists cruising on the RCC, that dock each week on the north coast, and whose stay is limited to the private beaches of Labadee, and to the local visits of local crafts shops, without leaving Cap Haitien.
Ms. Dieudonne Luma Etienne, Director of the Ministry of Tourism in the North, who accompanied the crew members in these exploratory visits, welcomed this initiative. "This is a victory, to be able to get tourists from the Royal Caribbean to the citadelle [...] They gave us some tips on improving the reception, and to better control the services of travel on horseback, as well as for the sale of our craft products".
That same day, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, was in Jacmel to attend the Mass celebrated on the Feast of Jacmel, May 1st. Subsequently she went to the marina, where she was awarded an Honorary Citizen of the city of Jacmel, because of her dedication to the cause of tourism in Haiti, and particularly for the city of Jacmel. During this ceremony, the Mayor of Jacmel symbolically handed her the keys to the city.
The Minister expressed her gratitude to the local authorities, and to the population of Jacmel, and reiterated her commitment to implement tourism projects, restoration work and of construction of certain sites in Jacmel, the city of Simon Bolivar; that the Colombia will fund as part of their bilateral relations.
ARTICLE - VILLEDROUIN IN GUADELOUPE
STEPHANIE VILLEDROUIN SIGNS AGREEMENTS IN GUADELOUPE
(Haiti Libre) -
Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism of Haiti, visited the island of Guadeloupe from 26 to 29 April 2012. She participated in "Haiti Compas Festival" and concluded agreements, including one with travel agencies in order to promote visits of Guadeloupe to Haiti, with the collaboration of Air Caraïbes.
During her meeting with the various Directors of Air Caraïbes and the Travel Agency, she was able to obtain a fixed price on flights from Guadeloupe to Haiti every Wednesday of the month of July and August for the Haitian community living there; a measure that would encourage our countrymen to spend their summer holidays in Haiti, or participate in the Carnival of flowers scheduled for 27, 28 and 29 July.
In addition, a tourist Haiti package called "Syrotaj", for the benefit of tourists from Guadeloupe wishing to visit Haiti, will be available in more than 10 travel agencies in Guadeloupe.
Moreover, the Minister has established agreements with the Tourism Committee and the Regional Council of Guadeloupe on:
The establishment of a tourism partnership Haiti-Guadeloupe to improve the image of the country and help in its reconstruction
The cooperation between Haiti and Guadeloupe, in order to attract the Haitian community from Florida.
The promotion of cultural exchanges of Florida between Haiti and Guadeloupe
The implementation of the multi destination Caribbean products for the Asian market.
During her stay, Stéphanie also met with personalities from the private sector and public sector from Guadeloupe, including leaders of the City Council of the City of Abymes, where there is the largest Haitian community. Three major decisions were taken at the end of this meeting: a delegation of elected officials will visit Haiti at the book fair on June 7, a Haitian Week will be held in Guadeloupe in July with a signature sale of Haitian writers, and media support by the City of Abymes.
The Minister, accompanied by her delegation, visited the School of Trades Hotels and Tourism of Guadeloupe. This school has all the facilities for the training of students: internships, 2 restaurants, a documentation center with research room, a cultural center, 6 computer labs, and sports facilities. A formal request was made concerning 4 teachers for the training of trainers in hospitality for one year, and the development of study courses for students in their 2nd year from Guadalupe who could come to Haiti within the framework of a Haiti-France cooperation.
In addition, the Director of Public Relations of the Ministry, Ms Josette Darguste met the Group for Culture and the Carnival of Guadeloupe, a meeting during which agreements were concluded: a delegation of five people will come to the Carnival of Flowers; two experts from the Carnival of Guadeloupe will come in July and August to Haiti to work with designers and Haitian stylists, and a delegation of 100 people will participate in the Jacmel carnival in February 2013.
(Haiti Libre) -
Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism of Haiti, visited the island of Guadeloupe from 26 to 29 April 2012. She participated in "Haiti Compas Festival" and concluded agreements, including one with travel agencies in order to promote visits of Guadeloupe to Haiti, with the collaboration of Air Caraïbes.
During her meeting with the various Directors of Air Caraïbes and the Travel Agency, she was able to obtain a fixed price on flights from Guadeloupe to Haiti every Wednesday of the month of July and August for the Haitian community living there; a measure that would encourage our countrymen to spend their summer holidays in Haiti, or participate in the Carnival of flowers scheduled for 27, 28 and 29 July.
In addition, a tourist Haiti package called "Syrotaj", for the benefit of tourists from Guadeloupe wishing to visit Haiti, will be available in more than 10 travel agencies in Guadeloupe.
Moreover, the Minister has established agreements with the Tourism Committee and the Regional Council of Guadeloupe on:
The establishment of a tourism partnership Haiti-Guadeloupe to improve the image of the country and help in its reconstruction
The cooperation between Haiti and Guadeloupe, in order to attract the Haitian community from Florida.
The promotion of cultural exchanges of Florida between Haiti and Guadeloupe
The implementation of the multi destination Caribbean products for the Asian market.
During her stay, Stéphanie also met with personalities from the private sector and public sector from Guadeloupe, including leaders of the City Council of the City of Abymes, where there is the largest Haitian community. Three major decisions were taken at the end of this meeting: a delegation of elected officials will visit Haiti at the book fair on June 7, a Haitian Week will be held in Guadeloupe in July with a signature sale of Haitian writers, and media support by the City of Abymes.
The Minister, accompanied by her delegation, visited the School of Trades Hotels and Tourism of Guadeloupe. This school has all the facilities for the training of students: internships, 2 restaurants, a documentation center with research room, a cultural center, 6 computer labs, and sports facilities. A formal request was made concerning 4 teachers for the training of trainers in hospitality for one year, and the development of study courses for students in their 2nd year from Guadalupe who could come to Haiti within the framework of a Haiti-France cooperation.
In addition, the Director of Public Relations of the Ministry, Ms Josette Darguste met the Group for Culture and the Carnival of Guadeloupe, a meeting during which agreements were concluded: a delegation of five people will come to the Carnival of Flowers; two experts from the Carnival of Guadeloupe will come in July and August to Haiti to work with designers and Haitian stylists, and a delegation of 100 people will participate in the Jacmel carnival in February 2013.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
ARTICLE - CANADIAN TRAVEL SPECIALISTS
CANADIAN JOURNALISTS, TRAVEL SPECIALISTS, CURRENTLY IN HAITI
(Haiti Libre) -
From 25 April to 2 May 2012, two prominent journalists, specialized in the travel sector, Lio Kiefer (Le Devoir du Québec) and Lise Giguere (Journal de Montreal), accompanied by the well-known Haitian independent journalist, Nancy Roc, will visit the facilities and attractions in the south and north regions of Haiti. This trip of the Canadian press in Haiti, is part of the promotion and development of the tourism sector, committed to by the Haitian government through the Eductour program.
In Jacmel, accompanied by Johanne Ratton, Regional Director, journalists will visit the historic center with its old houses, the Waterfall at Bassin Bleu, Cyvadier and other attractions. On Ile à Vache, they will visit the Port Morgan hotel facilities and Abaka Bay. In Cap Haitien, Dieudonne Luma, the Director of the region will accompany them for a city tour, a visit of hotels, a stay at Cormier, and a visit of historic sites at the Citadelle, Palais Sans Soucis, and Ramier. On the Côte des Arcadins, accompanied by Ms. Dominique Carvonis, Coordinator of the project Eductour, they will visit the hotels of the zone, and the Ogier Fombrun museum. A visit to Croix de Bouquets and meetings with the artisans of beaten metal, is also on their agenda.
Before returning to Canada, journalists will meet with Stéphanie Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism to discuss, at a meeting of reflections, of their experiences, their journalistic report and of the benefits for Haiti.
(Haiti Libre) -
From 25 April to 2 May 2012, two prominent journalists, specialized in the travel sector, Lio Kiefer (Le Devoir du Québec) and Lise Giguere (Journal de Montreal), accompanied by the well-known Haitian independent journalist, Nancy Roc, will visit the facilities and attractions in the south and north regions of Haiti. This trip of the Canadian press in Haiti, is part of the promotion and development of the tourism sector, committed to by the Haitian government through the Eductour program.
In Jacmel, accompanied by Johanne Ratton, Regional Director, journalists will visit the historic center with its old houses, the Waterfall at Bassin Bleu, Cyvadier and other attractions. On Ile à Vache, they will visit the Port Morgan hotel facilities and Abaka Bay. In Cap Haitien, Dieudonne Luma, the Director of the region will accompany them for a city tour, a visit of hotels, a stay at Cormier, and a visit of historic sites at the Citadelle, Palais Sans Soucis, and Ramier. On the Côte des Arcadins, accompanied by Ms. Dominique Carvonis, Coordinator of the project Eductour, they will visit the hotels of the zone, and the Ogier Fombrun museum. A visit to Croix de Bouquets and meetings with the artisans of beaten metal, is also on their agenda.
Before returning to Canada, journalists will meet with Stéphanie Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism to discuss, at a meeting of reflections, of their experiences, their journalistic report and of the benefits for Haiti.
Monday, April 9, 2012
ARTICLE - LEISURE TOURISTS
ORGANIZATION OF A FIRST TRIP TO HAITI FOR LEISURE TOURISTS
(Haiti Libre) -
On the occasion of the closing of Eductour, during a press conference held at Visa Lodge, Wednesday, March 21, tour operators of Guadeloupe and Martinique, representatives of Air Caraïbes, and actors of the Haitian the Tourism private sector (ATH) gathered around Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, to share their experiences and announce the first results of this six-day visit to Haiti. The program of this Eductour, rich and diverse, aimed to highlight the advantages of Haiti. "There is great potential for Haiti as a tourist destination: the food, culture, landscape, beaches, crafts, and the culture also" explains Jean-Pierre Devarieux, regional representative of Air Caraïbes. "Our airline Air Caraïbes will work with the Ministry of Tourism, ATH, and travel agencies from Guadeloupe and Martinique who will be at the height of the objectives of the Ministry of Tourism and expectations of our customers, by offering them travel on our lines towards Haiti for quality leisure stays."
"I am pleased to announce that in May, Club Loisir will propose leisure stays in Haiti, where people will be able to entertain, relax, discover new landscapes and party," declared Remy Rousseau, Director of Club Loisir, a travel agency from Guadeloupe who explains having been able to outline a travel plan following his stay in Haiti.
Thanks to this public private strategy, initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, this trip is already a success, and suggests tangible benefits for the benefit of Haitian tourism. This initiative has allowed to showcase the advantages of Haiti to the regional Tour Operators of Guadeloupe and Martinique, who are convinced of the commercial opportunities that Haiti can represent for their agencies.
This Eductour allowed these tourism professionals, to explore, discover for themselves and not through an image often truncated: cities, villages, beaches and tourist sites of Haiti. This was made possible through the collaboration and coordinated efforts of the Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Tourism and tourist facilities that have received and warmly welcomed them.
The Ministry of Tourism is extremely grateful to all persons and tourist establishments that took part in the organization of this Eductour and having contributed to its success. This formula will be repeated during the 2012 year with tour operators of the United States, Canada and France.
(Haiti Libre) -
On the occasion of the closing of Eductour, during a press conference held at Visa Lodge, Wednesday, March 21, tour operators of Guadeloupe and Martinique, representatives of Air Caraïbes, and actors of the Haitian the Tourism private sector (ATH) gathered around Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, to share their experiences and announce the first results of this six-day visit to Haiti. The program of this Eductour, rich and diverse, aimed to highlight the advantages of Haiti. "There is great potential for Haiti as a tourist destination: the food, culture, landscape, beaches, crafts, and the culture also" explains Jean-Pierre Devarieux, regional representative of Air Caraïbes. "Our airline Air Caraïbes will work with the Ministry of Tourism, ATH, and travel agencies from Guadeloupe and Martinique who will be at the height of the objectives of the Ministry of Tourism and expectations of our customers, by offering them travel on our lines towards Haiti for quality leisure stays."
"I am pleased to announce that in May, Club Loisir will propose leisure stays in Haiti, where people will be able to entertain, relax, discover new landscapes and party," declared Remy Rousseau, Director of Club Loisir, a travel agency from Guadeloupe who explains having been able to outline a travel plan following his stay in Haiti.
Thanks to this public private strategy, initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, this trip is already a success, and suggests tangible benefits for the benefit of Haitian tourism. This initiative has allowed to showcase the advantages of Haiti to the regional Tour Operators of Guadeloupe and Martinique, who are convinced of the commercial opportunities that Haiti can represent for their agencies.
This Eductour allowed these tourism professionals, to explore, discover for themselves and not through an image often truncated: cities, villages, beaches and tourist sites of Haiti. This was made possible through the collaboration and coordinated efforts of the Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Tourism and tourist facilities that have received and warmly welcomed them.
The Ministry of Tourism is extremely grateful to all persons and tourist establishments that took part in the organization of this Eductour and having contributed to its success. This formula will be repeated during the 2012 year with tour operators of the United States, Canada and France.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
ARTICLE - JACMEL - 4TH IN CARIBBEAN
JACMEL LISTED 4TH IN 8 TOP CARIBBEAN TOWNS
(Haiti Libre) -
LONDON, United Kingdom - Jacmel, Haiti is ranked 4th in BBC's Lonely Planet countdown of the top 8 towns to visit when searching for beautiful sun, white-sandy beaches and crystal-blue waters only found in the Caribbean.
Author and writer, Robert Reid is a US Travel Editor who has written two dozen guidebooks and articles from the New York Times, to the Wall Street Journal, and even ESPN. His recent work, Top 8 Caribbean Towns recognized the charm of the south east coast of Haiti, in the historical city of Jacmel.
With a little context before the countdown, Reid lets the traveler know:
Life’s not always a beach. The Caribbean may win hearts for its white-sand beaches in perfect turquoise coves, and high-end villas with moored yachts, but there’s another part of the story: its towns. Some have histories that predate the Pilgrims, cobbled centers that gaze out at the water and enough attractions to justify carving a day or two away from those perfect stretches of sand.
Down the first half of the list, ranking at number 4 is Jacmel, Haiti, founded in 1698, population of 40,000 and the womb that gave birth to South American nations.
Reid writes:
Haiti’s not for everyone, but as the nation struggles to rebuild after the 2010 earthquake, tourism is starting to pick up, and help give a bit of an economic boost to boot. Eighty miles south of the capital Port-au-Prince, Jacmel is a charming town that wasn’t as damaged as the capital. It has many Victorian-era buildings from the city’s coffee days, superb handicrafts including hand-painted boxes and animal toys, good beaches and a fun day trip to a grotto of cascades and cobalt-blue pools you can reach by horse for $20 or $25. Set in a Victorian mansion, the damaged and rebuilt Hôtel Florita evokes a century-old vibe, with its period furniture and balconies in the rooms.
From Port-au-Prince you can bus three hours on good roads to Jacmel.
The list of towns in the countdown were as follows: San Juan, Puerto Rico, Havana, Cuba, Willemstad, Curacao and trailing Jacmel, Haiti were, Cockburn Town, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Roseau, Dominica and Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius.
(Haiti Libre) -
LONDON, United Kingdom - Jacmel, Haiti is ranked 4th in BBC's Lonely Planet countdown of the top 8 towns to visit when searching for beautiful sun, white-sandy beaches and crystal-blue waters only found in the Caribbean.
Author and writer, Robert Reid is a US Travel Editor who has written two dozen guidebooks and articles from the New York Times, to the Wall Street Journal, and even ESPN. His recent work, Top 8 Caribbean Towns recognized the charm of the south east coast of Haiti, in the historical city of Jacmel.
With a little context before the countdown, Reid lets the traveler know:
Life’s not always a beach. The Caribbean may win hearts for its white-sand beaches in perfect turquoise coves, and high-end villas with moored yachts, but there’s another part of the story: its towns. Some have histories that predate the Pilgrims, cobbled centers that gaze out at the water and enough attractions to justify carving a day or two away from those perfect stretches of sand.
Down the first half of the list, ranking at number 4 is Jacmel, Haiti, founded in 1698, population of 40,000 and the womb that gave birth to South American nations.
Reid writes:
Haiti’s not for everyone, but as the nation struggles to rebuild after the 2010 earthquake, tourism is starting to pick up, and help give a bit of an economic boost to boot. Eighty miles south of the capital Port-au-Prince, Jacmel is a charming town that wasn’t as damaged as the capital. It has many Victorian-era buildings from the city’s coffee days, superb handicrafts including hand-painted boxes and animal toys, good beaches and a fun day trip to a grotto of cascades and cobalt-blue pools you can reach by horse for $20 or $25. Set in a Victorian mansion, the damaged and rebuilt Hôtel Florita evokes a century-old vibe, with its period furniture and balconies in the rooms.
From Port-au-Prince you can bus three hours on good roads to Jacmel.
The list of towns in the countdown were as follows: San Juan, Puerto Rico, Havana, Cuba, Willemstad, Curacao and trailing Jacmel, Haiti were, Cockburn Town, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Roseau, Dominica and Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius.
ARTICLE - ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM
THE FUTURE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM IN HAITI
(Haiti Libre) -
An unknown heritage, the caves in Haiti; such as those of Pestel, Port-à-Piment and Camp Perrin, are places of mystery and legend. The caves are an excellent resource for the ecotourist... They attract both tourists in search of adventure and those who just want to admire the wonders of nature. The Haitian public is very sensitive to the caves because of the many legends surrounding this natural heritage.
The French Institute in Haiti (IFH) offers an immersion in the enchanting underground caves of Haiti such as Marie-Jeanne, Bellony and Kounoubois. Let yourself be marvelled by this hidden world, these underground labyrinths and the supernatural atmosphere that reigns in these places. How were these caves formed? From where come the decorations that are inside them At what stage are the explorations in the country? Carole Devillers, Olivier Testa and Jean-François Fabriol, speleologists and photographers, will answer these questions at the occasion of a photographic conference, Monday, April 9, at 19h at the IHF.
Learn more about some caves :
Cave Bellony, in Pestel :
A little jewel located 45 minutes from the idyllic harbor of Pestel, this cave presents exceptional concretions. Discovered in 2009, the cavity is still preserved intact from degradation. A locked gate (the guide has the key) protects access to the most beautiful room and a path is marked on the inside to channel visitors (15 min by car and 30 minutes walk).
Visit time : 1 hour
Contact : Town hall of Pestel 3767-1587
Cave Marie-Jeanne in Port à Piment:
Located in Port-à-Piment it is the longest cave of Haiti known to date. The cave is a labyrinth of four kilometers of galleries on three levels. Accompanied by a guide, you can venture deep into the earth and discover many types of underground landscapes. Access to the cave by a trail from the city center. 15 minutes walk.
Visit time : between 1 and 4 hours depending on your availability.
Contact : Jean Baptiste Eliovil (guide) 3638-2292 or 3782-3275
Cave Kounoubwa (Kounoubois) in Camp Perrin :
Located at a 30 minute walk from Camp Perrin, the cave is a huge underground void, a place of pilgrimage. Several rooms can be visited, and for the more adventurous, many passages are hidden and can be explored with a guide. The atmosphere is speleological !
Contact : Fresnel or Joël Constant (guides) 3669-5458 or 3810-5075
Initially supported by the Foundation Lucienne Deschamps, the Foundation Odette Roy Fombrun and ORE, the enhancement program of underground heritage began in 2009 at the initiative of Carole Devillers and Olivier Testa. Brought in in 2010 by the Foundation Macaya for the Local Development, in 2011 it received the patronage of UNESCO and the financial support of the Embassy of France in Haiti. The same year the Foundation Françoise Canez Augustus, the Foundation Lise Antoine Saint-Natus Health Education Women (FLASSEF) and the company Valerio Canez SA joined as partners to support the project.
Learn more about the speakers :
Olivier Tesla:Project Manager, speleologist and photographer, he has prepared and participated in speleological explorations in Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, China, Chilean Patagonia, in Haiti, and has also coordinated humanitarian and tourist projects in developing countries.
Carole Devilliers:
Photojournalist she lived twenty years in Haiti, spent ten years as a photographer of Reuters news agency in Port-au-Prince and has to her credit several articles in the ethnographic National Geographic Magazine. Her work was widely published in the international press.
Jean François Fabriol:
Speleologist and photographer, he has lit with his flashes hundreds of caves around the globe. He reports from his expeditions photos with a unique style. Explorer from an early age, his experience guides his photos.
Visit the website of the caves in Haiti
www.grottesdhaiti.org
(Haiti Libre) -
An unknown heritage, the caves in Haiti; such as those of Pestel, Port-à-Piment and Camp Perrin, are places of mystery and legend. The caves are an excellent resource for the ecotourist... They attract both tourists in search of adventure and those who just want to admire the wonders of nature. The Haitian public is very sensitive to the caves because of the many legends surrounding this natural heritage.
The French Institute in Haiti (IFH) offers an immersion in the enchanting underground caves of Haiti such as Marie-Jeanne, Bellony and Kounoubois. Let yourself be marvelled by this hidden world, these underground labyrinths and the supernatural atmosphere that reigns in these places. How were these caves formed? From where come the decorations that are inside them At what stage are the explorations in the country? Carole Devillers, Olivier Testa and Jean-François Fabriol, speleologists and photographers, will answer these questions at the occasion of a photographic conference, Monday, April 9, at 19h at the IHF.
Learn more about some caves :
Cave Bellony, in Pestel :
A little jewel located 45 minutes from the idyllic harbor of Pestel, this cave presents exceptional concretions. Discovered in 2009, the cavity is still preserved intact from degradation. A locked gate (the guide has the key) protects access to the most beautiful room and a path is marked on the inside to channel visitors (15 min by car and 30 minutes walk).
Visit time : 1 hour
Contact : Town hall of Pestel 3767-1587
Cave Marie-Jeanne in Port à Piment:
Located in Port-à-Piment it is the longest cave of Haiti known to date. The cave is a labyrinth of four kilometers of galleries on three levels. Accompanied by a guide, you can venture deep into the earth and discover many types of underground landscapes. Access to the cave by a trail from the city center. 15 minutes walk.
Visit time : between 1 and 4 hours depending on your availability.
Contact : Jean Baptiste Eliovil (guide) 3638-2292 or 3782-3275
Cave Kounoubwa (Kounoubois) in Camp Perrin :
Located at a 30 minute walk from Camp Perrin, the cave is a huge underground void, a place of pilgrimage. Several rooms can be visited, and for the more adventurous, many passages are hidden and can be explored with a guide. The atmosphere is speleological !
Contact : Fresnel or Joël Constant (guides) 3669-5458 or 3810-5075
Initially supported by the Foundation Lucienne Deschamps, the Foundation Odette Roy Fombrun and ORE, the enhancement program of underground heritage began in 2009 at the initiative of Carole Devillers and Olivier Testa. Brought in in 2010 by the Foundation Macaya for the Local Development, in 2011 it received the patronage of UNESCO and the financial support of the Embassy of France in Haiti. The same year the Foundation Françoise Canez Augustus, the Foundation Lise Antoine Saint-Natus Health Education Women (FLASSEF) and the company Valerio Canez SA joined as partners to support the project.
Learn more about the speakers :
Olivier Tesla:Project Manager, speleologist and photographer, he has prepared and participated in speleological explorations in Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, China, Chilean Patagonia, in Haiti, and has also coordinated humanitarian and tourist projects in developing countries.
Carole Devilliers:
Photojournalist she lived twenty years in Haiti, spent ten years as a photographer of Reuters news agency in Port-au-Prince and has to her credit several articles in the ethnographic National Geographic Magazine. Her work was widely published in the international press.
Jean François Fabriol:
Speleologist and photographer, he has lit with his flashes hundreds of caves around the globe. He reports from his expeditions photos with a unique style. Explorer from an early age, his experience guides his photos.
Visit the website of the caves in Haiti
www.grottesdhaiti.org
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
ARTICLE - A CARNIVAL WITHOUT VIOLENCE
A CARNIVAL 2012 WITHOUT VIOLENCE, SITUATION OF THE FIRST 2 DAYS
(Haiti Libre) -
Shortly before the start of the festivities, many doubted the capacity of the city of Les Cayes to make an event of this size, and many were those who worried about the security aspect of the 2012 Carnival. So far these concerns have proved unfounded. The Carnival was held in a family atmosphere, where children and adults participated massively, safely and without major incidents.
This is primarily thanks to the people of the city of Les Cayes that we have so far a non-violent Carnival, explained in a press conference Réginald Delva, Advisor to the mixed National Committee, (public-private) and the Secretary of State for Public Security. "The credit belongs firstly to the inhabitants of Les Cayes. The population of Les Cayes wanted Carnival. It was organized, and done in a safe manner. People watched one another and the police accompanied them. [...] Once again, I think we should say thank you to the people of Les Cayes for their behavior [...]"
In a press conference Tuesday, President Martelly wished to commend the National Police for their behavior, and pay tribute to the people of Les Cayes. "...I think the police have done an amazing job. I want to congratulate the police, thank them for their behavior, and I also want to congratulate the population of Les Cayes who wanted Carnival, and went out to preserve the Carnival, and to protect it. I wanted to honor them, because through this attitude they allowed the Carnival to become the success that it is today. Thank you very much..."
Indeed, we hear comments from everywhere, and all welcome the success of the event. "I can have fun, go dancing in the crowd, without fear of victimization. That's what I like," says a partygoer. A woman in her thirties, from Port-au-Prince added: "I took a walkabout for the first time in the national carnival. I am delighted."
Situation of the first 2 days (Sunday and Monday)
Florence Duperval Guillaume, the Minister of Public Health and Population took stock of the first 2 days (Sunday and Monday) "[...] The first day we treated 60 people and no deaths were related to carnival festivities [...] The second day we treated 70.
On these two days, 69 people were treated for minor injuries, and for most of the others there were interventions related to respiratory problems, due to heat and excessive alcohol consumption. One person is still under observation in a critical condition for a head injury, and we have had several cases of poisoning due to alcohol. The second day, we deplored a fatal accident. A young man (Guerrier Berno Benchiler), 29-years-old, from Port-au-Prince, was drunk, and he fell on the road and was crushed by the trailer of a generator for the group Barikad Crew. For the last day, we have strengthened our staff."
The Minister stated that the data of this balance for the first 2 days, came from the 10 ambulances from the public health ministry; 6 ambulances from OFATMA, 2ambulances from the Haitian Red Cross, and 2 ambulances of the OAVCT, at the Emergency stand of the First Lady and a mobile clinic.
The Head of State wished to pay tribute particularly to the rescue work and scouts. "I want to send a big nod to the 250 volunteer rescue workers trained within the MTK (Tet Kale Movement), and the scouts that I saw in the streets, and I wanted to take this opportunity to salute them, and tell them that it is through their efforts that what we call 'a success' what has been made possible."
(Haiti Libre) -
Shortly before the start of the festivities, many doubted the capacity of the city of Les Cayes to make an event of this size, and many were those who worried about the security aspect of the 2012 Carnival. So far these concerns have proved unfounded. The Carnival was held in a family atmosphere, where children and adults participated massively, safely and without major incidents.
This is primarily thanks to the people of the city of Les Cayes that we have so far a non-violent Carnival, explained in a press conference Réginald Delva, Advisor to the mixed National Committee, (public-private) and the Secretary of State for Public Security. "The credit belongs firstly to the inhabitants of Les Cayes. The population of Les Cayes wanted Carnival. It was organized, and done in a safe manner. People watched one another and the police accompanied them. [...] Once again, I think we should say thank you to the people of Les Cayes for their behavior [...]"
In a press conference Tuesday, President Martelly wished to commend the National Police for their behavior, and pay tribute to the people of Les Cayes. "...I think the police have done an amazing job. I want to congratulate the police, thank them for their behavior, and I also want to congratulate the population of Les Cayes who wanted Carnival, and went out to preserve the Carnival, and to protect it. I wanted to honor them, because through this attitude they allowed the Carnival to become the success that it is today. Thank you very much..."
Indeed, we hear comments from everywhere, and all welcome the success of the event. "I can have fun, go dancing in the crowd, without fear of victimization. That's what I like," says a partygoer. A woman in her thirties, from Port-au-Prince added: "I took a walkabout for the first time in the national carnival. I am delighted."
Situation of the first 2 days (Sunday and Monday)
Florence Duperval Guillaume, the Minister of Public Health and Population took stock of the first 2 days (Sunday and Monday) "[...] The first day we treated 60 people and no deaths were related to carnival festivities [...] The second day we treated 70.
On these two days, 69 people were treated for minor injuries, and for most of the others there were interventions related to respiratory problems, due to heat and excessive alcohol consumption. One person is still under observation in a critical condition for a head injury, and we have had several cases of poisoning due to alcohol. The second day, we deplored a fatal accident. A young man (Guerrier Berno Benchiler), 29-years-old, from Port-au-Prince, was drunk, and he fell on the road and was crushed by the trailer of a generator for the group Barikad Crew. For the last day, we have strengthened our staff."
The Minister stated that the data of this balance for the first 2 days, came from the 10 ambulances from the public health ministry; 6 ambulances from OFATMA, 2ambulances from the Haitian Red Cross, and 2 ambulances of the OAVCT, at the Emergency stand of the First Lady and a mobile clinic.
The Head of State wished to pay tribute particularly to the rescue work and scouts. "I want to send a big nod to the 250 volunteer rescue workers trained within the MTK (Tet Kale Movement), and the scouts that I saw in the streets, and I wanted to take this opportunity to salute them, and tell them that it is through their efforts that what we call 'a success' what has been made possible."
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