Haiti and Tourism: A Lack of Vision Despite Unique Potential

While countries like the Dominican Republic, South Africa, Argentina, and Brazil have successfully turned their culture and nature into global brands, Haiti’s treasures remain under-exploited.

Global Comparisons (2024 Figures)

• Dominican Republic: 11.2 million visitors ($10.97B in revenue). Focus: Punta Cana and colonial history.

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• South Africa: 10.2 million visitors ($9.5B in revenue). Focus: Biodiversity (Kruger Park) and apartheid history.

• Argentina: 9.8 million visitors ($8.2B in revenue). Focus: Tango, glaciers, and Recoleta Cemetery.

• Brazil: 8.5 million visitors ($7.9B in revenue). Focus: Carnival, Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador, and spiritual sanctuaries.

Haiti’s Untapped Assets

Haiti possesses unique assets that could rival any destination:

• Beaches: Labadee’s crystal-clear waters and the surfing spots in the South.

• History: The National Cemetery of Port-au-Prince and the Citadelle Laferrière (UNESCO).

• Culture & Spirituality: Jacmel’s Carnival, the sacred waterfall of Saut-d’Eau, and the lakous (Souvenance, Badjo). Sites like Bois Caïman and Marie-Jeanne Cave offer immersive experiences found nowhere else.

The Cost of Poor Management

The budget allocated to tourism for the 2024-2025 fiscal year is a mere 6.4 million gourdes. This chronic underfunding, combined with political instability, lack of infrastructure, and poor waste management, stifles growth. While neighbors invest in global marketing, Haiti lacks the coordination to turn its spiritual and historical sites into economic drivers.