A great potential in the strategy to revive Tourism
By Hyppolite Pierre
Week of February 19 through February 25, 2001
The theme for Haiti's Carnival this year is Unity for Peace. As during previous years, the streets of all major cities in the provinces and in the capital are decorated accordingly. Almost all the radio stations stop their usual ramblings on the insecurity issue, the government, the opposition, civil society and the "people". The focus now is on which band is the most popular and plays the tune that is most reflective of the dominant reality.
During the Duvalier era Haitian musicians used themes in their songs that could easily be changed by the general public, with words that are sexually suggestive. There has been however since the second part of the 1990's, a new trend that reflects Haiti's new reality. Now that people express themselves more often with less fear of reprisal, the bands jump right into the subject of politics and attack with the same ruthlessness all sides of the political spectrum. Corruption, the Convergence, the Government, all go through the same wrath with equal harshness by both the musicians and the general public. Those of you on this list who are Haitians or speak the Haitian language, should visit some Haitian websites that will give you a taste of the predominant political theme this year. You could get a feel for this year's general theme by visiting Haitian websites like Haitionline.com, Haitienvivo.com. Haitiwebs.com and download some of the carnival songs.
A great celebration
This is a time when most Haitians enjoy the same thing: popular music. A few wealthy men and women go to their private beach in the country side or travel to Miami, away from that popular manifestation of joy. Haitian carnival is haitianity at its best. It is a whole nation celebrating its true identity and what it has to offer to the world in terms of cultural value. The masks, the dances, the genuine happiness are all there to see, feel and sense.
While also in the past the music was typically Haitian, lately the foreign influences are reflected in many ways. Some groups even have names that are mostly North American. They play a music style that is not just Antillean, but also North American. Reggae, Hip Hop and Rap are then curved in a delightful way, from the pressures of the Haitian soul and music styles like Compas. In Port-au-Prince this year, more than three hundred temporary stands have been built on the city's now most popular public park, Champ-de-Mars. The city government will bring in, according to figures made available to the general public, more than H$ 7.5 million. That is approximately US $ 1.5 million. For every stand built on the Champ-de-Mars for these three days, the city receives H$ 25 thousand.
A great way to develop tourism
Carnival in Haiti takes place by the end of February each year. In the United States this is also Spring Break. That is when many college students travel to Florida or Jamaica to have fun in the most "MTV" ways. The greatest beneficiary so far of those "Spring Breaks" is the island of Jamaica.
Haiti is a country with superb beaches, a friendly and well-mannered people, and a delightful natural decor. That is despite the deforestation problem. This is especially true when one goes to places like Bassin Bleu, Port-à-Piment, Saut d'Eau. We can easily rival Jamaica in the tourist industry with those potent marketing weapons and facts.
According to diverse Haitian news agencies, this year's carnival was once again, not well organized. The reasons may be many. But some things are constant. It seems like every year, there is always that last moment when we must organize the whole carnival celebration in the last three days preceding the event. This year for instance, the carnival was supposed to take place from February 25 through the 27th, between 4 P.M. and 4 A.M. the next day. A couple of days before the carnival actually began last Sunday, the time slots had changed, to the hours between 2 P.M. and 2 A.M.
Why not take a whole year to prepare
It should not take much for the state to have a small committee that works on that event from the time the carnival ends this year for instance, until it takes place again next year. Such committee could be composed of qualified individuals from both the Ministry of Tourism and City Councils throughout the country like the city of Jacmel, with great carnival tradition. Their goal could be to study the best way to make the event not only an artistic success, but also a way to promote some Haitian products like tourism, the country's so-called native art, and certainly the countryside. As it stands now, most of the people who come to Haiti for carnival are Haitians living abroad.
The committee should also have as a primary goal to organize the event the most effective way. As carnival would no longer be considered as just a time of celebration, the state and the people of Haiti could benefit from it economically. Already this year, the city of Port-au-Prince for instance will make over a million dollars U.S., just from renting space at the Champ de Mars. It could not be that difficult for those who work in tourism to use such an event, as a great way to promote Haiti's tourist industry.
It has become over the last ten years more and more difficult for someone to book a flight out of the United States to Jamaica in late February and early March. Why not make it as hard for people to fly to Haiti during that time by engaging in an area where our potentials are more than just great? All we have to do is think ahead, prepare for a long time, create an effective machine that works and coordinate events, use the right marketing tools and promote our country in more than just one way.
