Visitors are heading to war-torn country as part of ‘dark tourism’ trend
In this DML Report…
Haiti, grappling with severe gang violence and political turmoil, welcomed over 1.2 million tourists in 2024, up 20% from 2023, per Haiti’s Ministry of Tourism. Gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince, contributing to 4,451 homicides and 1,668 kidnappings last year, according to UN data. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, warning of violent crime, civil unrest, and inadequate medical facilities. Yet, Haiti’s beaches, historical sites like the Citadelle Laferrière, and cultural allure continue to draw visitors, primarily through cruise ships docking at Labadee, a heavily secured private resort leased by Royal Caribbean.
Most tourists, 85% of whom arrive via cruises, stay in controlled areas like Labadee, insulated from gang activity. Haiti’s proximity to the U.S.—a 90-minute flight from Miami—and affordable travel options fuel the tourism spike. Meanwhile, the UN reports 600,000 displaced Haitians and 700,000 facing famine, underscoring the divide between tourist zones and local hardship. Posts on X highlight this contrast, with some travelers praising Haiti’s natural beauty and others stressing risks beyond secured areas, where police presence is scarce and infrastructure is failing.
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The Haitian government promotes tourism to revive an economy that shrank 1.7% in 2024, but critics argue it neglects pressing issues like gang control and humanitarian needs. The International Crisis Group notes gang expansion into rural areas, heightening risks for independent travelers. Travel agencies offer “safe” group tours with private security, but experts advise avoiding Port-au-Prince. With 5.4 million Haitians facing acute food insecurity, per the World Food Programme, the ethics of ‘dark tourism’ in a crisis-ridden nation are under scrutiny, as visitors enjoy relative safety while locals endure ongoing violence and poverty.