It's been a while since the number of Haitian tourists who visit the Dominican Republic has increased effectively. Many families are sometimes taking advantage of long week-ends or Holidays in Haiti to go to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Bavaro or Samana. But, if one calculates the cost of visas, visitors' taxes to the DR, accomodation, food, transportation and other purchases, in one week-end only the total can be estimated at 3 millions U$ in revenue for the Dominican Republic according to AlterPresse.
However, there is a high risk for haitian visitors who use the Jimani - Malpasse border to consider: the poor services and treatment offered by the DR may not worth their expenses.
The floating assets towards the Dominican Republic comes at time where the climate of violence is gripping some of the busiest cities in Haiti particularly the capital Port-au-Prince. So, many Haitians are looking up to other destinations to spend their vacations while a few still consider to experience some of the beautifully natural sites located outside of Port-au-Prince to satisfy their curiosity and their desires.
Today, tourism industry is considered a major business worldwide and many countries in the Caribbean like the Dominican Republic have invested in it, thus benefiting largely in all sectors and have become travelers' favorite destinations.
Back in the 1950's, Haiti was listed as one of the most thriving destinations
in the Caribbean along with Cuba. Nowadays, the country is setting off a precipitated decline with numerous social, political and economic problems. However, the stake is not out-of-the-way, there are still hopes for the future. Haiti can recover its enviable position in terms of tourism because it bears interesting and untapped potential willing to appeal the clever investor.
There are key elements that need to be overcome such as infrastructures, stability and security, massive investment, the preservation and valorization of our sites and culture, the protection of the environment including fauna and flora, finally and of utmost importance, the education of our local populations so that they can get involve in the development of tourism and the economy.
Moreover, the development of tourism in Haiti can have long-term and promising impacts on employment, cashflow opportunities, crafts production, agriculture and agro-industry, services, cultural and artistic expression and of course decentralization.
If we consider Haiti's enviable and picturesque potential along with all sectors restlessly working together, we can assume that our country will become progressively revitalized and will benefit once again this fantastic development process into tourism. Therefore, Haitian tourists and discriminating travelers will regain their confidence and bring in lots of dollars to our land where everything is unique.
Haitian Tourists to bring in $3 Million to the DR
in 1 Week-end
