Haiti tipped as the next hot destination on the rise

ESCAPE
JULY 30, 2014 12:00AM
IT’S got bright blue waterfalls, white sand beaches, incredible caves, a World Heritage listed historic site and a vibrant, artistic culture.
Welcome to a country that’s being touted as one of the world’s next hot destinations on the rise: Haiti.

Sure, there’s a few catches. Since 2010, Haiti has been struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake that left thousands dead and many more homeless. Disasters and political turmoil have plagued the Caribbean country for years.
The official Australian Government advice for Haiti remains to “reconsider your need to travel”, with those who choose to visit urged to “exercise extreme caution”.
But the country has just opened its first tourism office, and now tour operators are offering Haiti trips for those who want to beat the anticipated tourist boom.
For now, it’s still “a place where only true travellers go; a place for the brave and the curious,” according to the brochure for G Adventures, which has scheduled five trips to Haiti next year.
G Adventures’ first small group tour runs in February, and Aussies are tipped to be among the first to visit.
“We know that there will be many Australian and New Zealand travellers who will jump at the opportunity to visit Haiti,” G Adventures’ Australia and New Zealand boss, Belinda Ward, said.
“Haiti is a country full of amazing people who are really looking to move on from the tragedy in 2010.
“We are proud to be offering our travellers the opportunity to not only meet the people of Haiti but also experience their world-class art and culture, real-time history and stunning beaches.
“Bringing travellers to Haiti to experience this culture and spend locally will help Haiti to fully recover.
“All our suppliers are locally-based which means our travellers can return home knowing their money will stay in the country and they have been a force for good.”
The G Adventures 10-day Highlights of Haiti trip is priced from $2499, excluding flights.
For the latest government travel advice and warnings visit the Smartraveller website.
Six things to do and see in Haiti
• Visit the Citadelle Laferriere, a UNESCO-designated mountaintop fortress.
• Learn all about rum at a local distillery and try making the local kasav flat bread.
• Meet a voodoo priest and shop for voodoo artefacts at the Iron Market.
• See local artist communities make famous mosaics.
• Visit the turquoise Bassin-Bleu pools to cliff-dive and swim.
• Explore the Marie-Jeanne cave’s underground landscapes and massive caverns.
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