Haiti resort a boost for tourism despite protests
Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe has defended plans for a high-end resort on one of the country’s offshore islands, saying it will give the nation’s troubled tourism industry a major boost and create over 2,000 local jobs.
PM Laurent Lamothe was answering allegations from some residents of Ile-a-Vache that the government planned to evict hundreds of poor farmers from the small island to make way for the resort.
He said it will be the most ambitious tourism project yet in Haiti and protesters are not fully aware of the benefits it will bring.
He said the government "definitely have no plans to evict anyone."
However Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin has said residents from around 100 homes could be relocated and will be compensated.
The proposal has fueled demonstrations from local islanders since the government passed a decree last year and several clashes with police have ensued.
Lamothe said there that in addition to around 2,000 new jobs in tourism, new schools and a community center will also be built.
The funds for the $260 million resort project has been raised through foreign aid and private investment and it will likely take two years to complete.
It will feature condos and spas, and construction of an international airport has already begun thanks to a $24 million gift from Venezuela’s government.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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