Cruising Haiti - Heralding the cruise industry's support

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Cruising Haiti

Heralding the cruise industry's support

Amid criticisms from mainstream media, Royal Caribbean's decision to return to the port of Labadee, Haiti, is being hailed by stakeholders in the tourist industry.

The cruise line returned to the resort port, 100 hundred miles from Port-Au-Prince, one week after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit that Caribbean nation, resulting in criticism that they were unfeeling and were only concerned about making money while the county battles to recover from the devastating upheaval.

"We may have had our differences of opinion about the true value of the cruise industry to Caribbean destinations, but there is absolutely no doubt in our minds of the enormous economic and psychological value of Royal Caribbean's resumed cruises to Haiti," said Lelei LeLaulu, a director of the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) in a release.
His comments were backed by François Guillaume Jr, executive director of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, who survived the quake after leaving the now flattened Hotel Montana minutes before it collapsed. "We need the cruise industry more than ever to continue visiting Haiti," Guillaume Jr, reportedly said.

He noted that, in the wake of such a complex emergency, there was need to pursue all avenues of economic development, "And I support the stance of the cruise industry, not only to sail to our shores, but for delivering important disaster-relief assistance."

At least one major hotel chain that was slated to commence construction in Haiti has also stated that it will be redoubling its commitment to Haiti.

development opportunities
Choice Hotels, one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, in a statement in January, announced that a new Comfort Inn hotel and Ascend Collection member hotel would mark the first-ever Choice-brand properties for the nation of Haiti. "For obvious reasons, plans for both properties are on hold right now, but we are not pulling out of Haiti," said a Choice spokesman.

The executive director of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce has been in Haiti encouraging investors to pursue economic development opportunities in the country.

Former Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Senator Allen Chastanet, Saint Lucia's minister of tourism and civil aviation, said, "Hundreds of people are earning money from the resumed cruises and thousands more family members and local businesses are benefiting from this infusion of-cruise company cash."

Minister Chastanet, who has worked in travel and tourism marketing and development, saw another plus for resumed cruises so soon after the earthquake: "Importantly for the devastated people of Haiti, the resumption of the cruises is a huge morale booster because it signals to the world that "we are back in business".

Meanwhile, LeLaulu further stated: "The cruises are businesses, sure, but remember these businesses were quick to respond. Carnival Cruise Lines unhesitatingly gave US$5 million to Haiti relief, the most generous corporate donation, so far, and one which will spur other companies to contribute."

Taking an active part in the relief efforts, Royal Caribbean is donating more than US$2 million, and its profits from the Labadee stops.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com