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The sadness and despair of the Haitian people is being felt worldwide. Many people are donating money, goods, and time to help in the relief effort. As a travel agent, I recognize that one of the things we can do is to help the island sustain it's economy. A popular stop for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is Labadee, Haiti. I have been to this beautiful area and hope that everyone that lives nearby and works at the private beach is safe tonight. Royal Caribbean has had to suspend service to Labadee temporarily but we are hoping that the cruise line can begin to bring tourists back to Haiti soon. While tourism isn't as big in Haiti as it is in their neighboring country Dominican Republic (also located on Hispaniola), it is important to realize that we cannot stop tourism to this island. The most popular tourism area is in the Dominican Republic in the Punta Cana region. If you were to drive from Port au Prince to Punta Cana it would take a minimum of 10-12 hours part of it over a mountain range. The Domincan Republic sustained NO damages and everything is operating there as normal. Below is an official report from the Minister of Tourism in the Dominican Republic:
HAITI EARTHQUAKE- STATEMENT BY THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (DR) MINISTRY OF TOURISM
SANTO DOMINGO, Jan. 13, 2010 -- The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism is deeply
saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive earthquake damage to the people of Haiti, its
neighboring country. The Dominican government is providing a staging area at some of the international
airports located in the Island.
The DR experienced no damage from the earthquake and all transportation systems, communication
systems, tourism businesses and medical facilities are operating smoothly, making the country available
to offer support to the relief effort in any way needed.
“The DR is making available its medical facilities for earthquake victims and is providing international
relief organizations access to Haiti through the airports and seaports. Our transportation systems,
communications systems, hotels, resorts, beaches and natural environment suffered no damage here.
We are grateful and with deep concern open our hearts to our neighbors and will continue to do
everything we can to help them and reassure global travelers that the DR is receiving visitors.” said Mr.
Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism.
The DR shares the eastern third of the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Punta Cana, the major global
tourism destination in the DR is located approximately 400 miles (633 kilometers) east of Haiti’s capital,
or a 10-12 hour drive, with numerous mountain ranges separating the two countries.
DR Tourism Update:
All of the DR’s eight international airports are open and receiving flights.
All of the DR’s cruise terminals and seaports are open and receiving ships.
All of the DR’s beaches, hotels, resorts and tourism businesses are conducting normal business
operations.
At this time, no flights or group tours to the DR have been cancelled.
For more information, please visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or www.DomincanToday.com. To
learn how you can help Haiti, visit: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/.
HAITI EARTHQUAKE- STATEMENT BY THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (DR) MINISTRY OF TOURISM
SANTO DOMINGO, Jan. 13, 2010 -- The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism is deeply
saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive earthquake damage to the people of Haiti, its
neighboring country. The Dominican government is providing a staging area at some of the international
airports located in the Island.
The DR experienced no damage from the earthquake and all transportation systems, communication
systems, tourism businesses and medical facilities are operating smoothly, making the country available
to offer support to the relief effort in any way needed.
“The DR is making available its medical facilities for earthquake victims and is providing international
relief organizations access to Haiti through the airports and seaports. Our transportation systems,
communications systems, hotels, resorts, beaches and natural environment suffered no damage here.
We are grateful and with deep concern open our hearts to our neighbors and will continue to do
everything we can to help them and reassure global travelers that the DR is receiving visitors.” said Mr.
Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism.
The DR shares the eastern third of the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Punta Cana, the major global
tourism destination in the DR is located approximately 400 miles (633 kilometers) east of Haiti’s capital,
or a 10-12 hour drive, with numerous mountain ranges separating the two countries.
DR Tourism Update:
All of the DR’s eight international airports are open and receiving flights.
All of the DR’s cruise terminals and seaports are open and receiving ships.
All of the DR’s beaches, hotels, resorts and tourism businesses are conducting normal business
operations.
At this time, no flights or group tours to the DR have been cancelled.
For more information, please visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or www.DomincanToday.com. To
learn how you can help Haiti, visit: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/.