An ambitious initiative to develop northern Haiti as a tourism destination, centered on the historic Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace in Milot, was losing momentum in early 2019 as Haiti’s political and security crisis deterred foreign visitors and chilled investment in the sector. The northern region, home to some of the Caribbean’s most remarkable historical and natural assets, had been positioned as a potential alternative to the more conflict-prone capital region.
Travel advisories from the United States, Canada, and European governments warning against non-essential travel to Haiti were cited by tour operators as a major factor in booking cancellations. Cruise lines that had been exploring Port-au-Prince and other Haitian ports as potential stops reported increasing reluctance among passengers.
Haitian tourism stakeholders argued that the north of the country remained genuinely safe for visitors and that the travel advisories painted an unfair picture of the entire nation based on conditions in Port-au-Prince. They called on international governments to issue more nuanced advisories that distinguished between regions.
The tourism sector’s struggles were a significant blow to Haiti’s economic diversification efforts. The sector had been identified as a potential source of jobs and foreign exchange that could reduce Haiti’s dependence on aid and remittances. The political crisis had effectively put those plans on hold indefinitely.