Promotion of Community Tourism in the North Department of Haiti

closed

The cultural and ecological tourism are two relevant segments that can be exploited for the socio-economic development and preservation of the Haitian declining environment. Dondon-Milot, the targeted project area, is located near the "Citadelle Laferrière", one of the most important monuments of the Caribbean, and not far from Labadee (449,925 visitors last year), the main tourist destination of the country. It has rich historical and cultural patrimonies (beautiful rivers, fascinating caves and vaults, historical sites, etc) that constitute a potential source of employment and income. Nevertheless, the local entrepreneurs who are looking for economic opportunities are not aware of the economic potential of these resources, and lack the necessary capacity to exploit them in a sustainable way. There is also a need to establish a public-private partnership for the rehabilitation and exploitation of these cultural and natural attractions. By addressing these needs, opportunities will be created for Dondon-Milot to benefit in the short term from visit of Haitian students, Haitian professionals, expatriates, and Haitians leaving abroad. In the mid and long term, a part of the tourists visiting Dominican Republic (about 4 million), and the international tourism visiting Labadee are also targeted. The overall objective of the project is to promote economic activities that protect the ecologic and cultural resources of Dondon-Milot and contribute to improve the level of living of its communities. The specific objective is to create a tourism circuit by strengthening existing and new micro-enterprises that will be created by the project through sustainable rural community tourism activities. It includes four components: Assessing of local capacities; Strengthening of local capacities; and Dissemination of project outcomes and promotion of Dondon-Milot as tourism Destination.