Back in the 1970s, Haiti was a tourist destination for the jet set, welcoming visitors like Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. But political violence, instability and more recently the 2010 earthquake have changed the country’s image, and most of the tourism has vanished.
The 1949 World Expo held in Port-au-Prince created an opportunity for the Haitian Government, led by Dumarsais Estimé, to attract international attention to Haiti and to develop its tourism industry. Haiti tourism in the 1960s was up and down during the François Duvalier “Papa Doc” regime.
In the the 1970s and early 1980s tourism in Haiti was booming under Jean-Claude Duvalier “Baby Doc”. Although Haiti was under a dictatorial regime, they at least understood the value of tourism. Haiti was known as the Paris and pearl of the Antilles. Haiti even received tourists from nearby islands who were impressed with its numerous unspoiled beaches, mountains, exceptional coffee, rum, creole food, art, religion, history and beautiful people.
