AGREEMENTS OF MULTIDESTINATION TOURISM
(Haiti Libre) -
The XVI Annual Exhibition, "Bolsa Turística del Caribe (BTC)" (Caribbean Tourism Exchange), which was held in Santo Domingo, ended on Saturday June 30 with the conclusion of agreements for Multidestination Tourism, between Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism of Haiti, and her delegation reached an agreement with the municipality of Mayagüez (Puerto Rico), in order to integrate the best travel deals to allow two or more destinations for an insignificant price difference. Under the agreement, the maritime transport company "America Cruise Ferrie" would conduct two trips per week between Mayaguez and Santo Domingo, offering tourists a two-night stay in the capital of the Dominican Republic with a two night additional stay in Cap-Haitien (north of Haiti). The trip to Cap Haitien and the return to Santo Domingo, would be by land.
The Haitian Minister of Tourism has also proposed a multi-destination plan, for tourists staying in Puerto Plata (North of Dominican Republic), to add 2 nights to their stay to a destination in Cap-Haitien.
Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin also wanted to reassure the tourism stakeholders, and future tourists on the issue of security, by announcing that Haiti will have a tourist police constituted of 1,200 members to welcome, inform and protect visitors in Haiti, as is the case in many countries, including the Dominican Republic.
Questioned by the Dominican press on the issue of trade between the two nations, the Minister lamented that the Dominican beer "Presidente" is sold freely in Haiti, while the Haitian National Beer "Prestige" was not authorized for sale in the Dominican Republic... She told reporters that smuggling at the borders made loses each month, of several million dollars to Haiti, which justified the establishment of measures and regulations to eliminate illegal trade between the two countries.
Showing posts with label Article - Tourism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Article - Tourism. Show all posts
Monday, July 2, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
ARTICLE - TOURISM - HAITI LOOKS TO D.R.
HAITI LOOKS TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO LAUCH ITS TOURISM
(Dominican Today) -
Santo Domingo - Haiti’s Tourism Minister sees her country becoming the Caribbean’s next major tourist destination but needs to forge an alliance with the neighboring Dominican Republic to learn from its vast experience.
Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin on Friday said, president Michel Martelly’s Administration regards tourism a cornerstone of its development policy, "because of its potential as an unrivalled source of new jobs, foreign currency, and overall progress for the country."
Speaking in the Caribbean Tourism Bourse (BTC) trade fair in Santo Domingo where Haiti is the guest of honor, the official said Port-au-Prince has laid the groundwork for a hospitality market which instils confidence in investors, and provide results in the short, medium and long term, which will create jobs, wealth and progress for Haiti.
To address this great task, Balmir said Haiti has to forge an alliance with its neighbor, who she calls “a mirror that we can see ourselves in."
She cited as an example, her government’s planned investments to expand the airports at Les Cayes, Cap Haitien and Jacmel, to receive direct international flights. “As written on our flag, union is strength, so by bridging the best of both countries, I'm sure we will have better opportunities to compete as a tourism destination in the Caribbean."
(Dominican Today) -
Santo Domingo - Haiti’s Tourism Minister sees her country becoming the Caribbean’s next major tourist destination but needs to forge an alliance with the neighboring Dominican Republic to learn from its vast experience.
Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin on Friday said, president Michel Martelly’s Administration regards tourism a cornerstone of its development policy, "because of its potential as an unrivalled source of new jobs, foreign currency, and overall progress for the country."
Speaking in the Caribbean Tourism Bourse (BTC) trade fair in Santo Domingo where Haiti is the guest of honor, the official said Port-au-Prince has laid the groundwork for a hospitality market which instils confidence in investors, and provide results in the short, medium and long term, which will create jobs, wealth and progress for Haiti.
To address this great task, Balmir said Haiti has to forge an alliance with its neighbor, who she calls “a mirror that we can see ourselves in."
She cited as an example, her government’s planned investments to expand the airports at Les Cayes, Cap Haitien and Jacmel, to receive direct international flights. “As written on our flag, union is strength, so by bridging the best of both countries, I'm sure we will have better opportunities to compete as a tourism destination in the Caribbean."
Friday, June 29, 2012
ARTICLE - TOURISTS - WELCOME FACILITIES
ESTABLISHMENT OF WELCOMING FACILITIES FOR TOURISTS
(Haiti Libre) -
As part of its action plan, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism is working to put in place 'welcoming facilities' for tourists.
"[...] When you arrive somewhere, in any country, you have what is called a tourist guide for the country, in which you have a summary that tells you if you go to one place, here's what you can visit, and what you will find. When you arrive at this place, it is necessary to have a management unit, that the place is clean, there are restrooms, catering facilities etc...
What have we decided? [...] The Ministry of Tourism has an action plan that it is implementing now. We have 113 million gourdes in the budget that was passed. An initial disbursement of 45 million gourdes was made. We are taking the majority of this amount for promotion. As you know, we launched the new campaign of promotion and image change for Haiti as a destination, and we participated in several fairs in North America, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. We have made great progress in promotion [...]
The other important aspect is training. You can not say that you are a tourist destination, if the reception staff is not trained. I must tell you that the biggest advantage for a destination, what makes it competitive and attractive compared to another, is the service. Therefore, we must also be able to offer good service to tourists [...] that's why right now we are implementing a program in Les Cayes, since this weekend, for a continuous training of 500 employees of the tourism sector [...]
Another important axis of the Ministry is to establish not only 'welcoming centers' in the region, but the first welcome of a tourist, is at the airport. The Ministry of Tourism will have a 'welcoming center' at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, an information point so that each visitor who comes, can find information where he can go with a tourist map. In this regard, we had no map,... I placed the order and we will have them by late July [...]
The Ministry made a collaboration with agents who offer tours. You can see a nice picture of the Citadelle, but if you do not know how to get there... So, at the stand of the Ministry, each agent will have a place for the promotion of their tours and provide information on the excursions, sightseeing and activities.
Now, the role of the Ministry is to ensure that in these sites, there is a management unit and a 'welcoming unit'; toilet blocks, benches and tables so that people can eat and that the space is well equipped [...]"
(Haiti Libre) -
As part of its action plan, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism is working to put in place 'welcoming facilities' for tourists.
"[...] When you arrive somewhere, in any country, you have what is called a tourist guide for the country, in which you have a summary that tells you if you go to one place, here's what you can visit, and what you will find. When you arrive at this place, it is necessary to have a management unit, that the place is clean, there are restrooms, catering facilities etc...
What have we decided? [...] The Ministry of Tourism has an action plan that it is implementing now. We have 113 million gourdes in the budget that was passed. An initial disbursement of 45 million gourdes was made. We are taking the majority of this amount for promotion. As you know, we launched the new campaign of promotion and image change for Haiti as a destination, and we participated in several fairs in North America, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. We have made great progress in promotion [...]
The other important aspect is training. You can not say that you are a tourist destination, if the reception staff is not trained. I must tell you that the biggest advantage for a destination, what makes it competitive and attractive compared to another, is the service. Therefore, we must also be able to offer good service to tourists [...] that's why right now we are implementing a program in Les Cayes, since this weekend, for a continuous training of 500 employees of the tourism sector [...]
Another important axis of the Ministry is to establish not only 'welcoming centers' in the region, but the first welcome of a tourist, is at the airport. The Ministry of Tourism will have a 'welcoming center' at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, an information point so that each visitor who comes, can find information where he can go with a tourist map. In this regard, we had no map,... I placed the order and we will have them by late July [...]
The Ministry made a collaboration with agents who offer tours. You can see a nice picture of the Citadelle, but if you do not know how to get there... So, at the stand of the Ministry, each agent will have a place for the promotion of their tours and provide information on the excursions, sightseeing and activities.
Now, the role of the Ministry is to ensure that in these sites, there is a management unit and a 'welcoming unit'; toilet blocks, benches and tables so that people can eat and that the space is well equipped [...]"
Thursday, June 28, 2012
ARTICLE - JOINT D.R - HAITI TOURISM
OFFICIAL EYES HAITI-DOMINICAN JOINT TOURISM DESTINATION
(Dominican Today) -
Santo Domingo - Haiti is developing with the Dominican Republic a proposal which includes Puerto Plata and Cap Haitien as a joint tourism destination, revealed Haiti Tourism Minister Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, for whom the island as a whole can become a powerful tourist attraction for the rest the world.
Cited by listin.com.do, Villedrouin said Haiti is a perfect complement of the Dominican Republic’s offer of sun and beach so it can be "extremely" attractive for tourists from other nations, including travel to both countries. “There’s complete harmony in the offering of multi-travel with the Dominican Republic."
"To cite some examples, the beauty of the work in papier mache in Jacmel, or La Citadelle (the biggest fort in all the Americas), which are unique to our cultural heritage,"
The official will arrive in Santo Domingo Thursday to attend the inauguration of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC), whose guest of honor this year is Haiti, and will be declared the capital’s "Distinguished Guest."
(Dominican Today) -
Santo Domingo - Haiti is developing with the Dominican Republic a proposal which includes Puerto Plata and Cap Haitien as a joint tourism destination, revealed Haiti Tourism Minister Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, for whom the island as a whole can become a powerful tourist attraction for the rest the world.
Cited by listin.com.do, Villedrouin said Haiti is a perfect complement of the Dominican Republic’s offer of sun and beach so it can be "extremely" attractive for tourists from other nations, including travel to both countries. “There’s complete harmony in the offering of multi-travel with the Dominican Republic."
"To cite some examples, the beauty of the work in papier mache in Jacmel, or La Citadelle (the biggest fort in all the Americas), which are unique to our cultural heritage,"
The official will arrive in Santo Domingo Thursday to attend the inauguration of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC), whose guest of honor this year is Haiti, and will be declared the capital’s "Distinguished Guest."
ARTICLE - TOURIST POLICE
A TOURIST POLICE NEXT YEAR
(Haiti Libre) -
Like what exists in many tourist cities worldwide, including in the Dominican Republic, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, wishes to implement, by next year, a Tourist Police to secure the areas surrounding hotels, restaurants and attractions, and also to provide information to visitors.
"...it is clear that we must arrange the sidewalks of hotels, restaurants... merchants and beggars should not be present when you leave a restaurant, and that you have 5-10 young people who come up to you to ask for money [...]
The Ministry wants to implement an ambitious program, which is the Tourist Police. We are working on that and it will be in my budget for the next fiscal year [...] it is important that we have a security officer, who can reassure the customer, who is able to provide information to him as well; therefore we have this project that we want to implement.
There are Tourist Police in all tourist destinations; this is not something we have invented, but it is clear that we must release our sidewalks [...]there are many people who do not work... there are lots of precarious things[...] we are sure that with the impetus in the tourism industry, we will have investments. As you know, in Petionville there are hotels that will open, and industry, agriculture and other related sectors, will generate jobs; there will be fewer people [unemployed] in the streets [...]"
(Haiti Libre) -
Like what exists in many tourist cities worldwide, including in the Dominican Republic, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, wishes to implement, by next year, a Tourist Police to secure the areas surrounding hotels, restaurants and attractions, and also to provide information to visitors.
"...it is clear that we must arrange the sidewalks of hotels, restaurants... merchants and beggars should not be present when you leave a restaurant, and that you have 5-10 young people who come up to you to ask for money [...]
The Ministry wants to implement an ambitious program, which is the Tourist Police. We are working on that and it will be in my budget for the next fiscal year [...] it is important that we have a security officer, who can reassure the customer, who is able to provide information to him as well; therefore we have this project that we want to implement.
There are Tourist Police in all tourist destinations; this is not something we have invented, but it is clear that we must release our sidewalks [...]there are many people who do not work... there are lots of precarious things[...] we are sure that with the impetus in the tourism industry, we will have investments. As you know, in Petionville there are hotels that will open, and industry, agriculture and other related sectors, will generate jobs; there will be fewer people [unemployed] in the streets [...]"
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
ARTICLE - CARNIVAL - 300,000 ATTEND
MORE THAN 300,000 PEOPLE CELEBRATED THE 2012 CARNIVAL IN LES CAYES
(Haiti Libre) -
The Presidency of the Republic "notes with great satisfaction the smooth running of 2012 National Carnival in the city of Les Cayes, which has brought together more than 300,000 Haitian and foreign revelers around the theme "Ayiti ap dekole, Okay pran devan", making the city of Les Cayes, the scene of the greatest cultural event throughout the Caribbean in early 2012.
Several factors contributed to the success of this major event in the life of the Haitian people. Firstly, a conclusive discipline, combining traditions, colors, costumes and beauty of stands; fundamental characteristics of Haitian carnival, the quality of performances, the multiplicity of representations and a security provided by the National Police of Haiti, throughout the course with 13 musical floats, 11 allegorical floats, 13 dance schools, a twenty walking bands, along with traditional groups, and more than 2,000 people who gave rhythm to the heart of Carnival. Thanks to news agencies and to the local television channels and of the Diaspora, the live broadcast on the internet has highlighted the festive and original carnival of Les Cayes internationally.
In a statement, "President Martelly, and the First Lady, Sophia Martelly, are pleased to proclaim the generosity and the compassion of the city of Les Cayes, in particular of the citizens, and all the organizers and participants of this popular festival. The Head of State thanks the Haitian population in general, who were able to maintain peace and respect for others throughout this popular event that is so important in the Haitian life."
At a press conference yesterday Tuesday, the Head of State spoke on perspectives for the future of Carnival "...We said it would be good, that next year we have the Carnival in the 10 departments; not in all communes, but that each department has a Carnival [...] There is a budget issue that we must plan, for this to become a reality. Now you are right, do we have enough money to make a carnival in all 10 departments? We could also say that every year there will be three Carnivals, in three departments, and that we will choose the three departments where the authorities have made the most progress... have shown leadership and responsibility [...]"
Answering the question of a responsible of the Carnival in the Dominican Republic on the possible participation next year of Dominican companies in the Carnival of Haiti, the President Martelly pragmatically answered, "Why not [...] it is good for Haiti that companies are investing in our Carnival, and make it stronger so that more tourists will visit our country..."
(Haiti Libre) -
The Presidency of the Republic "notes with great satisfaction the smooth running of 2012 National Carnival in the city of Les Cayes, which has brought together more than 300,000 Haitian and foreign revelers around the theme "Ayiti ap dekole, Okay pran devan", making the city of Les Cayes, the scene of the greatest cultural event throughout the Caribbean in early 2012.
Several factors contributed to the success of this major event in the life of the Haitian people. Firstly, a conclusive discipline, combining traditions, colors, costumes and beauty of stands; fundamental characteristics of Haitian carnival, the quality of performances, the multiplicity of representations and a security provided by the National Police of Haiti, throughout the course with 13 musical floats, 11 allegorical floats, 13 dance schools, a twenty walking bands, along with traditional groups, and more than 2,000 people who gave rhythm to the heart of Carnival. Thanks to news agencies and to the local television channels and of the Diaspora, the live broadcast on the internet has highlighted the festive and original carnival of Les Cayes internationally.
In a statement, "President Martelly, and the First Lady, Sophia Martelly, are pleased to proclaim the generosity and the compassion of the city of Les Cayes, in particular of the citizens, and all the organizers and participants of this popular festival. The Head of State thanks the Haitian population in general, who were able to maintain peace and respect for others throughout this popular event that is so important in the Haitian life."
At a press conference yesterday Tuesday, the Head of State spoke on perspectives for the future of Carnival "...We said it would be good, that next year we have the Carnival in the 10 departments; not in all communes, but that each department has a Carnival [...] There is a budget issue that we must plan, for this to become a reality. Now you are right, do we have enough money to make a carnival in all 10 departments? We could also say that every year there will be three Carnivals, in three departments, and that we will choose the three departments where the authorities have made the most progress... have shown leadership and responsibility [...]"
Answering the question of a responsible of the Carnival in the Dominican Republic on the possible participation next year of Dominican companies in the Carnival of Haiti, the President Martelly pragmatically answered, "Why not [...] it is good for Haiti that companies are investing in our Carnival, and make it stronger so that more tourists will visit our country..."
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