Minister John Herrick Dessources©️Facebook Primature
Pétion-Ville, July 3, 2025.- Under the theme « Tourism industry: from resilience to economic recovery »On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the Haitian government celebrated the National Day of Tourism and Local and Regional Development at the Karibe Convention Center Hotel. The event, marked by the presence of the Prime Minister, several members of the government and key actors of the sector, highlighted Haiti's ambitions to make tourism a central pillar of its economic reconstruction.
In his opening speech, the Minister of Tourism, John Herrick Dessources, did not escape the realities of the sector: insecurity, collapse of infrastructure, decline in the number of visitors and persistent negative image of Haiti on the international scene. Yet, despite the contrary winds, « tourism in Haiti has become a real resistance », he declared forcefully.
The minister was optimistic: « In the North, empty hotel rooms are scarce »he stressed, referring to positive dynamics in some regions. According to him, a resumption of tourism could trigger a real start to construction of the Haitian economy: « We can turn tourism demands into opportunities for national reorganization ».
A five-axis action plan
In order to achieve this vision, Mr Dessources presented the five strategic axes around which the revival of tourism focuses:
1. Renovation of major tourist sites;
2. Capacity building of the Tourist Police (PoliTour);
3. Launch of the integrated investment programme for the North and the Great South, called « The New Deal » ;
4. Revision of the normative framework of the sector;
5. Institutional strengthening of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture and Communication, including the management of the National Historic Park.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who closed the ceremony, praised the courage of local actors: hoteliers, restaurateurs, drivers, artisans, entrepreneurs. « They make the tourism industry live despite the immense challenges », he said.
He also reiterated the government's commitment to restore security and reinvigorate the economy, two essential conditions for a sustainable recovery. Finally, he called for national unity, including the diaspora, stressing that the executive and the Transitional Presidential Council are committed to creating a favourable climate for the constitutional referendum and general elections, in accordance with the Agreement of 3 April 2024.
It should be noted that the ceremony brought together a wide range of actors: Ministers and Secretaries of State, Directors-General, business leaders and representatives of tourism associations. A mobilization that demonstrates the desire to build a Haitian tourism that is both more resilient, inclusive and conducive to solid and sustainable development.
WA
