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Challenges and perspectives for the future in Haiti

Friday, November 11, 2011

Society

Organized jointly by Université d'État d'Haïti and Université Laval through the Institut du patrimoine culturel, an international colloquium with the theme “Heritage, cultural tourism and sustainable development in Haiti: Challenges and perspectives for the future” was held in Port-au-Prince from November 10 to 13, 2011.

Loupe

The opening ceremony was marked by the presence of Michel Martelly, President of the Republic of Haiti, Michaëlle Jean, UNESCO’s special envoy in Haiti, Denis Brière, Rector of Université Laval and Henri-Paul Normandin, Canada’s Ambassador to Haiti.

The goal of the colloquium, which received funding from the Ministère des Relations internationales, was to reflect on and set up projects that are specifically adapted to Haiti to attract tourists under the following development themes:

Road and hotel infrastructures

Heritage and tourism related to the January 12, 2010 earthquake

Tourism trade training

Tourism itineraries with a tangible and intangible heritage focus

Five speakers from Québec took part in the colloquium, which brought together researchers specializing in cultural tourism, community activists, NGOs and private entrepreneurs. Recommendations will be made to the Government of Haiti, and a compendium of the presentations will be published by Presses de l'Université Laval.

Québec’s commitment to Haiti