On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Stéphanie Smith, the Minister of Tourism of Haiti, held a working session with the National Network of Solidarity Tourism Promoters (RENAPROTS), represented by Gachette Madsen.

This meeting took place in the presence of Yvens Alexis, the Minister's Chief of Staff, and James Saint Sumé, Deputy Chief of Staff, and was part of a collaborative process aimed at strengthening the strategic direction of the tourism sector in Haiti.

During the discussions, the Minister affirmed a clear position : to make solidarity tourism a structuring element of the national tourism policy. She advocated for an approach based on the sustainable development of local resources and the direct involvement of communities in the sector's development.

According to Minister Smith, solidarity tourism is essential for territorial development, capable of generating concrete economic benefits while preserving cultural identities and ecological balance.

The discussions identified areas with strong potential, particularly the Great North and the Great South, which possess historical heritage, natural resources, and cultural events such as rural festivals. These elements provide a solid foundation for structuring an integrated and competitive tourism offering.

Furthermore, the need to structure local initiatives around tourist sites was emphasized, as was the importance of strengthening the digital promotion of heritage, notably through exhibitions and commemorations related to major figures in national history such as Emperor Jacques I (Jean-Jacques Dessalines), Toussaint Louverture, and Henri Christophe, among others.

IH/ iciHaiti