Haiti tourism - growth potential

Tourism's potential as a driver of growth (Haiti)

1) Reality today: Safety is a major barrier

In 2025, Haiti has a Do Not Travel/Avoid All Travel level due to abductions, armed violence and a shortage of services. This is a direct stop factor for mass tourism and even for cruises: Royal Caribbean has extended the suspension of calls to the private resort of Labadi until 2025-2026, citing risks. In parallel, the media record incidents in the capital and the influence of gangs on the life of the country.

Conclusion: before reducing risks and restoring the basic infrastructure, any growth plans must proceed from the "Security-first" scenario.

2) Core Travel Product: Unique Assets

UNESCO World Heritage Site: National Historical Park - Citadel Laferrière, Sanssouci and Ramier (north). It is one of the Caribbean's strongest cultural anchors.

Culture and events: Jacmel is the capital of the paper and mask tradition and the famous carnival, which forms a recognizable "brand of creativity."

Sea and beaches: Ile-a-Vas at Le Caye is a natural "lighthouse" for ecotourism and boutique resorts (a long-standing focus of state programs).

Cruise product: Labadi (private beach cluster, north). With security stabilization, there is a fast channel for returning flow and occupancy.

3) Routes-clusters: how to "pack" potential

Northern cluster (Cap-Haïtien - Milot - Labadi).

Focus: cultural heritage + cruises/beach. Priorities are corridor safety, transport, visitor centers at UNESCO sites, guide standards and local crafts.

Southeast cluster (Jacmel).

Focus: festival calendar, art tourism, creative residences; small hotels and gastronomic routes around the carnival and workshops.

Southwest cluster (Le Caye - Ile-a-Vas).

Focus: ecotourism, diving, butіk - low-rise resorts; protection of the coast and community benefits.

4) Economic effect: where growth "lies"

Fast multipliers: employment in accommodation/nutrition/transfer, demand for agricultural products and craft.

Foreign exchange revenue: cruise fees and export of services; when returning liners - an instant increase in daily spending. (Calls are suspended today.)

Country image: PR channels through UNESCO and cultural events give a long-term effect for the investment climate.

5) "Security-first": relaunch roadmap

1. Safe corridors and green areas.

Northern route Cap-Haïtien Airport → Milot (Sanssouci/Citadel) → Labadi as a pilot "secure corridor" with joint posts and camera control. Return of cruises is possible only after sustainable risk mitigation.

2. Infrastructure and quality standards.

UNESCO visit centers, navigation, sanitary standards, guide training, cascade of standards for small hotels and guesthouses (House Rules, fire and water safety).

3. PPP and small SME grants.

Jacmel craft cooperatives, eco-lodges on Ile-a-Vas, rural gastromarkets - through a matrix of small grants/microloans for training.

4. Cruise table talks.

Package "security + services" with lines: SLAs for ambulance, water, evacuation; road map for the phased return of parking lots in Labadi when performing risk KPIs.

5. Digital marketing and conversion.

Official channels "Visit Haiti" and partnerships with OTA/metasearch; calendar of events (Jacmel Carnival) and UGC campaigns of regions after stabilization.

6) ESG and "responsible" product design

Zero patience for child exploitation and any form of violence; tour operator code. (Relevant in a humanitarian crisis.)

Natural protection: bans on predatory coastal development, waste management, visitor limits in sensitive areas.

Community income: at least 30% of purchases - locally; the proportion of women in craft and gastroprojects.

7) Restart KPI (in stages)

Security: the number of incidents per 100 thousand visitors in the "green zones."

Demand: Return of at least 1 line to Labadi (stage 2), average daily cruise guest spend.

Heritage: Sitadele/Sanssouci attendance and share of guided tours with a certified guide.

SMEs: Number of grants/microloans and revenue of Jacmel craft cooperatives.

8) Risks and how to extinguish them

Prolonged instability: do not start mass campaigns until there are stable "green zones." Gradually increase traffic through pilot routes with expandable geography.

Reputational risks: transparent communication of security status, "truth" policy on sites and partners.

Coastal vulnerability: strict EIAs for Ile-a-Vash and a ban on first-line high-rise development.

Tourism for Haiti is not "fast money," but a medium-term driver that will start working immediately after security stabilizes. The core is the northern cultural cruise cluster (UNESCO + Labadi), complemented by the Jacmel art cluster and the Il-a-Vash eco-cluster. Priorities: safety, infrastructure, quality standards and partnerships with cruises/OTA. It is a realistic roadmap to turn the country's unique assets into sustainable growth and jobs.

Note about the security context: before any trips to Haiti, you should check the current recommendations of governments (USA/Canada, etc.) - at the time of preparation of the material, they urge not to travel due to the high level of violence.