MIAMI BEACH – MWM & Associates is hosting this year’s “Second Annual Haiti Tourism & Economic Development Summit” to be held at the Deauville Beach Resort, 6701 Collins Avenue, in Miami Beach, Florida on June 23-25, 2006.
The Second Annual Haiti Tourism Summit will focus on rebuilding and developing the tourism industry of Haiti. The summit will bring together key players in the local and international tourism industry, including the Haitian and foreign private sector, the public sector, and civil society in general, as well as representatives of international financial (donor/investment) organizations to address issues affecting the development and sustainability of Haiti’s tourism industry.
MWM is committed to encouraging a multi-sector dialogue on Tourism in Haiti, by bringing together both Haitian and foreign tourism experts, as well as members of civil society to discuss the obstacles to tourism and identify sustainable solutions for the short, medium and long term success of tourism in Haiti.
Special emphasis will be placed on innovative marketing tools and strategies that will contribute to the increased awareness of Haiti as a tourism destination and help improve the economic well-being of the Haitian people. Key topics to be addressed at the Summit include: infrastructure needs for the development of tourism activities nationally; the role of the Haitian Diaspora in the marketing and consumption of Haitian tourism products; financing and investment issues; community development opportunities; and security issues affecting tourism.
This year’s collaborating partners, sponsors and invited speakers include the Caribbean-Central
American Action (CCAA), World Bank, NOPIN Long Distance, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), International Financial Corp. (IFC), Inter-American Investment Corp (IIC), Villa Creole Hotel, VISIT FLORIDA, Governor of Floirda, Greater Miami & Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, Tourism & Hotel Association of Haiti, Association of Professional Bankers (Haiti), Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce, Florida Association of Volunteer Association for Caribbean Action (FAVACA), USAID-Haiti, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Caribbean Hotel Association, Haiti Resource Development Foundation, Caribbean Community Development
Foundation, Association of Haitian Banks, Island Television, Lakay Magazine, the new government of Haiti, Consul Generals of Haiti in Miami, Chicago and New York, Embassy of Haiti in Washington, DC, in addition to, major Haitian-American organizations nationwide.
Last year’s event hosted over 500 professionals, over 30 speakers, exhibit booths and major networking opportunities. Summit results have included: monthly ToHaiti.com Getaway groups to Haiti, U.S. and Canada city-by-city tourism forums, feasibility studies conducted by potential hotel chains, sponsored media partnerships, national Haiti tourism associates, University and College Haitian American student spring break partnerships, technical assistance planned by FAVACA and many other positive outcomes.
This year we are expecting over 800 participants to attend this year’s Summit. This Summit not only motivates the Haitian Diaspora to strategize in the rebuilding of Haiti through tourism, but also to facilitate a platform for economic development dialogue in the states.
For further information please contact them via e-mail at [email protected] or call 1-877-99HAITI, if you should need further information. Please visit their website www.ToHaiti.com to download a registration form, sponsorship application or to view photos from last year’s successful Summit.
