BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, March 7, 2010 – In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, the French-speaking Caribbean nation is keen to show the world that it is alive and that tourism has a major role to play in its recovery
In this regard, Haiti, a member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), will exhibit at the global tourism trade show, ITB in Berlin, Germany, this week. Its participation is being facilitated by CTO, along with other partners, including ITB Berlin.
During the 10-14 March event, described as the world’s leading travel trade show, Haiti will have a booth in the CTO-organised Caribbean Village, manned by representatives of the country’s German embassy. The city mayor, Klaus Wowereit, is scheduled to meet H.E. Jean-Robert Saget, Ambassador of Haiti to Germany, at the Haiti stand in the Caribbean Village on Wednesday morning.
In addition, Ambassador Saget will make a presentation at a workshop on Thursday 11 March focusing on “Development Perspectives Through Sustainable Tourism Development for Haiti”.
“The CTO is delighted to be able to facilitate Haiti in exhibiting alongside 180 countries and regions from around the globe as part of our efforts to restore the nation and stimulate further recovery,” said Carol Hay, the CTO’s marketing director for the UK and Europe. “By joining the CTO’s Caribbean village at ITB, Haiti will be able to reach almost 200,000 visitors, communicating what significant progress it is making and what further support the country needs as well as what it can offer as a tourism destination. We’re very much looking forward to showcasing Haiti at the world’s largest tourism convention and providing our member state with a valuable raft of unique marketing opportunities and benefits.”
The CTO also played a leading role in Haiti’s appearance at the 16th Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, the London-based four-day show considered the UK‘s leading consumer travel event. The region’s tourism development agency facilitated the participation of Jean-Marc Flambert – a Haitian involved in the tourism industry in the UK – in the event, which attracts over 50,000 people.
“Having family affected in Haiti, the last few weeks has been tough. For me to be able to share the unaffected parts of Haiti with so many people at the Destinations Show was amazing,” said Mr. Flambert, director of the UK-based tourism marketing company, Your Tourism Partner.
During the show, nearly £2500 was raised for the CTO Relief Fund for Haiti.
