In the wake of the catastrophic 2010 earthquake that left Haiti’s infrastructure in tatters, the opening of the Port-au-Prince Marriott Hotel in 2015 stood as a beacon of hope and a testament to ethical and sustainable tourism. The hotel, resulting from a collaboration between Marriott International and the Clinton Foundation, and fueled by a $45 million investment from Digicel Telecommunications Group to build the 175-room, five-suite hotel.
From the outset, the Marriott Port-au-Prince defied conventional expectations of a multinational chain hotel. It diverged from the Marriott formula to tailor a model that was both sustainable and socially responsible, aimed at contributing to Haiti’s revival. The marketing manager, Stephanie Gibson, underlined the hotel’s commitment to fostering local business by incorporating Haiti’s national coffee, Reba.“Reba is Haiti’s national coffee, and a socially responsible business that is investing in agricultural and financial training for small and independent farmers. The hotel is also the first in Haiti to source produce from a Kenscoff-based co-op of 5,500 farmers.”
The hotel’s ethos extended into its design, where over 200 original Haitian artworks adorned its walls, a nod to the rich artistic culture of the nation. General Manager Peter Antinoph expressed pride in the hotel’s unique identity and focus on lifting people from poverty through job creation and local procurement. The establishment provided much-needed employment for 200 Haitians, many recruited from the country’s most impoverished communities.
The human resources director, Edwige Solages, detailed the rigorous training operations, “Training was a thorough operation. Trainees did a 12-week experience in Santo Domingo, and are now empowered in their roles and have proved to be some of the company’s best workers.” These efforts culminated in the hotel’s burgeoning reputation for stellar service, characterized by the warmth and friendliness of its staff.
Beyond the walls of the Marriott, the hotel served as a pivotal element of a budding destination. Conveniently located in Port-au-Prince’s business district, the Marriott attracted tourists rediscovering Haiti’s attractions, such as the Citadelle in Cap Haitien and the seaside resort of Jacmel.
Relevant articles:
– THE MARRIOTT HOTEL THAT’S BREAKING THE RULES
– Can tourism alleviate global poverty?, The Conversation, Tue, 18 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMT
– The future of sustainable tourism may lie with all-inclusive resorts, CNN, Sat, 09 Nov 2019 08:00:00 GMT
– How the Clintons’ Haiti development plans succeed — and disappoint, The Washington Post, Fri, 20 Mar 2015 07:00:00 GMT