The United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), through Michaëlle Jean, his Special Envoy for Haiti, has expressed this weekend its willingness to support the efforts made by the Government of Haiti in terms of Tourism.

A delegation of twenty people, led by Ms. Jean stayed from November 27 to December 3 in Haiti for, among other, proceeded during a tour, the assessment of potential of the heritage, cultural and of tourism in the country.

The first exploratory visits took place in Jacmel where the delegation was informed of various tourism projects of the Historical Center of Jacmel with Ms. Dithny Joan Raton, Departmental Director of Tourism South East. Ms. Jean has estimated that these projects were original and that the existence of the rural dynamics environment of the region, could promote the development of sustainable tourism.

After Jacmel, accompanied by Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, the delegation visited the Citadelle Henry and the Palace of Sans Souci of National Historic Park and was very impressed by the splendor of the Citadel. However, it was recommended that development work be undertaken to better facilitate the movement of tourists. The Ministry of Tourism has already started the construction work of welcome booths at Choiseuil, for the visitors who up to the Citadel.

Francesco Bandarin, Assistant Director of the Culture section of Unesco, which promises all the support of UNESCO has, for his part, stressed the urgency of restoring and maintaining the monument, after having visited the Croix David whose some parts are damaged.

After this milestone, the delegation continued its journey towards a center of artisanal production of cassava to then visit and take part to the rituals of Lakou Dereal and of Lakou Gyode.

Sunday at the end of their stay, Canadian visitors visited the Historical Center of Cap Haitien where they put the emphasis on the architectural richness of houses.

"Heritage, culture, tourism all this is combined to offer of labels to a clientele that we want make come," Ms. Jean pointed out, adding that "the Ministry of Tourism has a fundamental role to play due to the fact that tourism constitutes, according to her, an important tool for building a sustainable economy in Haiti."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7305-haiti-tourism-michaelle-jean-on-tour-this-weekend-in-the-north.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7287-haiti-tourism-michaelle-jean-and-the-heritage-protection.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7262-haiti-reconstruction-important-delegation-led-by-michaelle-jean.html

HL/ HaitiLibre