Haiti’s Tourism Suffers due to Ongoing Conflicts | .TR
HAITI’S TOURISM INDUSTRY COLLAPSES AMID SECURITY CRISIS
Haiti’s tourism industry is suffering after the country was largely left out of the main international travel forums in 2026. Shipping companies have imposed further shutdowns and Haiti’s capital is currently a closed destination for leisure tourists. The Caribbean nation is going through a very dark time in recent history for its tourism industry.
A large scale social, economic, political and humanitarian crisis has meant the country has been in an ongoing state of emergency with top travel warnings. Around 90% of the Port-au-Prince metropolis is controlled by armed gangs meaning access to the airport and main transport hubs are limited.This has caused Haiti’s tourism industry to suffer greatly with visitor numbers dropping from a high of 515,000 to largely anecdotal numbers of foreigners.
Cruise Industry Suffers Major Blow
The biggest blow to the local tourism economy has been the loss of maritime tourism. This has been a steady incometurmoil in the capital. Royal Caribbean have now imposed a further 6 month cruise ship shutdown to their private beach resort Labadee. The company had previously paused operations in 2026
This is having a big impact
This is having a big impact on the local value chain. Labadee operated with strict security measures and provided hundreds of jobs locally. It also helped boost the local artisan industry. With the prolonged closure it means one of the few steady tourism
Some Activity in the North and by the Diaspora
There is still some activity in areas away from the conflict in the south. Cap-Haïtien, the second city in the country, is the main (and almost only) entrance point for independent culture tourists, international aid workers and journalists. The north has been relatively safe and functioning with local airlines such as Sunrise Airways providing flights.
World Heritage sites such as the Citadelle Laferrière and Sans-Souci Palace ruins are still open and protected by locals on the Bonnet à l’Evêque mountain. However, visitor numbers are very low.
Cities along the south coast such as Jacmel
Cities along the south coast such as Jacmel are still seeing some ‘roots’ tourism. Small numbers of Haitians living abroad, mainly from the USA and other Caribbean countries visit these destinations boosting Haiti’s tourism.
Hotelier associations still operating on the island agree that there will need to be a long-term, full-scale international approach to help boost the destination. Until legal and physical security can be restored to the customs and main highways, the rich cultural and natural attractions of the first independent nation in the region will not be included in tour operators’ itineraries worldwide.
