A study by STR shows that hoteliers in Haiti are still struggling to build their properties in that nation, following the earthquake it suffered in January 2010. Two years later, hoteliers have renovated their establishments to strengthen that industry on the island.
Currently, in Hatí there are 43 hotels for a total of 1,674 rooms. Two more are under construction, while three more are in the final planning phase.
One of the existing hotels is the Florita, located in the Jacmel region. The establishment was renovated after suffering damage from a natural disaster and currently provides employment for many families. The hotel receives frequent visits from government organizations, humanitarian workers, church groups.
"We've gone green, to some extent. We do not use just any plastic as we are dealing with solar energy and to revive the historic centre. There is a misconception that Haiti is a total hellhole... by far the most interesting country in the Caribbean because it's the least touristy," said Joe Cross, owner of the establishment.
On the opposite side of the peninsula there is a hotel group that plans to open six new independent establishments on the island. This is the SCI Haiti, managed by a group of second and third generation families.
Finally, the Best Western International is one of the hotels that plans to open in Haiti during the third quarter of this year, a project that was approved about a year and a half before the earthquake.
Marriott International will also begin construction this year on a new 173-room hotel that it hopes to open by 2014.
