Changing the image and perception of Haiti from devastation to tourist and investor destination is a tall order, given the challenges and obstacles still facing the country in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake. Minister of Tourism Stephanie Villedrouin, who represented Haiti at the recent Caribbean Week events in New York, discussed long-term strategies, goals and plans for Haiti's tourism makeover with Caribbean editor Gay Nagle Myers.
Q: We are glad to see Haiti represented at this Caribbean Tourism Organization-sponsored event for the first time. What is your message to tourism officials gathered here and to the travel industry in general?
A: My dream is to see my destination in all the brochures of tour operators and in the travel publications that target the Caribbean region. I want people to think of Haiti as a nice country with friendly, warm people who are ready to receive travelers. That's the message we want to send to the world, that Haiti has beautiful areas we need to promote while we address and fix our problems. Haiti as a new destination in the Caribbean is a serious objective, and we are working to achieve this.
Q: How do you plan to do that?
A: There's a long road ahead because, unfortunately, it's the bad part of Haiti that's been promoted, especially since the earthquake. But we have started the rebranding process. We created a long-term tourism development plan for three tourist regions of Haiti that focuses on the development of infrastructure and hotels, the history and attractions of each area and a realistic time line. We will promote our beaches and focus on hospitality training centers and the importance of adhering to service standards. We want visitors to see the hidden beauty here, not the tragedy.
Q: What are the immediate concerns and short-term goals?
A: Our action plan includes creating a tourist route along the north coast from Labadee to the National Historic Park to Cap-Haitien, especially for the cruise passengers coming to Labadee, extending the runway at the airport in Jacmel on the Caribbean coast to handle international flights and opening a tourist center at Toussaint Louverture Airport in Port-au-Prince when it completes a major restoration project in July.
Q: The hotel sector seems especially bright for Haiti. What's happening there?
A: Haiti has about 2,500 rooms now, mostly in small properties. We have projects under development with Marriott, Choice Hotels, Best Western and Oasis Hotels as well as locally owned projects under way. For us, it is very important to have well-known hotel brands in Haiti. It shows that investors have confidence in Haiti as a destination for both business and leisure markets. We have to reassure our visitors that when they arrive they will get value and service.
Q: Are you working with agents and operators on packages?
A: We're bringing in small groups of travel agents on short fam trips from Guadeloupe as our first venture in this area. This will grow. I know how important industry partners will be to the growth of tourism here.
Q: What is your background?
A: I managed a small mountain hotel for five years, joined the Tourism Association of Haiti as a board member and was appointed a cabinet minister by President [Michel] Martelly in 2011.
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