Haiti cruise visits: off course?
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ decision to go forward on schedule with visits to Labadee, its private peninsula in Haiti, is more than a colossal public relations faux pas. “It is also an unsound tool for economic recovery,” says The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST).
CREST says it strongly disagrees with both Royal Caribbean officials and some tourism experts quoted in the press who contend that resuming cruise tourism is “critical to Haiti’s recovery.”
”This is a time for all hands on deck, not business as usual,” CREST says.
The unsightly image of thousands of cruise passengers lounging on beaches, sipping margaritas, and shopping for trinkets while being heavily guarded by Haitian forces hardly looks like a recipe for economic recovery.
“If anything, the humanitarian crisis is worsening…and security forces are desperately needed to protect relief supplies and distribution of food and water,” the organization says.
The group admits Royal Caribbean has shown initiatives in providing humanitarian relief.
“But it could do and should do much more,” the site says.
Among initiatives it suggests: dedicating several ships to ferry food and other supplies and use one or more cruise ships as shelters.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events