By Melanie Reffes
The ride from the international airport in Port-Au–Prince to the suburb of Petion-Ville is long, rocky and dusty. On either side are snapshots of street life in in a country that is still struggling from an earthquake that struck one quiet night in January more than three years ago. Women and men walk purposefully down potholed streets balancing baskets on their heads that are crammed with flowers, toiletries and live animals like chickens and goats which presumably will end up in a stew pot. Roadside vendors sell t-shirts that judging from the slogans might have been donated after the quake, kids play in the rubble, the tent cities are still open, mechanic shops are busy and minibuses or ’tap-taps’ are a colorful addition to the parade of traffic. The recovery may be slow but the locals are generous with their smiles and demonstrate a resiliency of spirit that can only be admired.
Although aid workers and government officials make up the bulk of foreigners in the country, the ministry of tourism is determined to attract cash-spending tourists who will choose Haiti as a vacation destination, not a country that only welcomes those working for the relief efforts. Positive initiatives are in full gear including at The Karibe Convention Center which is undergoing a $10 million expansion, Digicel, the largest telecommunication company in Caribbean, moved its French speaking call center from Martinique to Petion-Ville and investment is being aggressively courted for resort development in three target areas of the country.
Locals are also making a mark like Carine Clermont who with her Group of Concerned Citizens provides training in the schools and businesses. "We are like the local Red Cross without the red tape," she said. "We make sure every person has knowledge and training so that if there is another natural disaster, we will be prepared."
Although many speak French and a bit of English, it is Creole that can be heard everywhere with two colorful two expressions the locals like to share when describing Haiti’s firm resolve to stand on its own two feet. "Piti piti, zwazo fè nich" translates to "Little by little birds build their nests" and "Anpil men chay pa lou" literally means "Many hands make a load lighter."
The first U.S. branded full-service hotel to open in Haiti in fifteen years, and the second high profile property to open in the past six months following the Royal Oasis, owned by the Spanish firm Occidental, Best Western Premier Petion-Ville opened in April. In the suburb of Petion-Ville, named after former President; Alexandre Petion, the seven-story hotel is liberally laced with security guards, both uniformed and plain-clothed, keeping everyone they deem not suitable out. All part of everyday life in Haiti where the unemployment rate hovers between 65 and 75 percent and 3,000 people applied for the 100 jobs at the hotel.
Wedney Rameau was one of them. Formerly a math teacher, he’s now happily serving hotel guests in Le Michel, the restaurant on the second floor. "I had a job but I wanted to do better," he said, refilling a cup of espresso brewed from the beans grown in the mountains. "When the hotel was advertising jobs, I just knew I had to be lucky enough to get one." Also serving his contagious smile and infectious enthusiasm, Wedney is happy to discuss his country with anyone who asks. "Yes, we’ve had many troubles recently but we’re coming out of the hole and I know we will be better than ever. "
The only non-Haitian employed in the hotel, general manager Ronald Maidens has worked in the hospitality industry for decades including in Switzerland, Puerto Rico and at the Stanhope in Manhattan. "I was, quite frankly, overwhelmed," he said, referring to the thousands of people who applied for jobs. "I did nothing else for one month but look at resumes." Although the front desk staff and the bellmen are required to speak English, teaching the rest of the staff has been a challenge, Maidens noted, "We are now offering classes to all our staff with the goal that everyone eventually become fluently bilingual in both French and English."
Built from the ground up, Dallas-based Aimbridge Hospitality, Haiti-based Carabimmo SA Corporation and Best Western International joined forces to open the property with 106 rooms including three suites, awesome views of the sherbet colored houses on the mountain, Wi-Fi access, Oxygene spa, whisky bar, pool, conference room and the French-inspired Le Michel restaurant.
"With global support from our partner Best Western, not only will this hotel be a success in Haiti, but it will attract additional investment into Haiti and help drive expansion of the Haitian market globally," said Stanley Handal, co-owner.
Designed for the business traveler, the hotel is also targeting the leisure crowd although that is slow to arrive and the local romance market which is starting to book the Grand Ballroom for weddings large and small.
"The opening provides critically needed hotel rooms, creates jobs and revenue for the local economy and is a reflection of the continuing progress being made towards the recovery of Haiti," said Mark Williams, vice president, North American development, Best Western International. "This hotel is proof that Haiti is open for business and it will help encourage additional business investment in Haiti."
Designed by the Dallas firm Studio 11 in conjunction with Haitian architects, the hotel is also a gallery showcasing Haitian art. Honoring one of the owners’ late wives who died in the earthquake, artwork can be purchased with proceeds going to a foundation that aids in the rebuilding of the country. Pascale Theard is the art director and meticulously picked every piece in the hotel. "I selected art made from recycled materials like car tires and discarded pieces of metal, "she said. "Cushions are made from old t-shirts and the entire floor in front of the spa was crafted from cork from old wine bottles."
With three treatment rooms and four therapists, spa manager Fabienne Souffrant is optimistic the spa will attract guests to the hotel. "All of the products are made in Haiti from locally-sourced coconut oil and other fruits that grow here, "she said. "Our Coconut Bliss massage is the most requested as our therapists spend fifty minutes with each client for a rejuvenating experience that can’t be beat." The Spa also offers facials, manicures, pedicures and a unique "oxygen blast" facial treatment.
With an eye to the future, travel agents are invited to experience the hotel either individually or as part of FAM trips which will start in the fall. "We encourage travel agents to visit the hotel by contacting our management company, Aimbridge Hospitality or myself directly," added Ronald Maidens, general manager. Room rates, per night start at $139.00 through the end of June with Carnival packages offered for July.
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