Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ decision to go forward on schedule with visits to Labadee, its private peninsula in Haiti, is more than a colossal public relations faux pas. “It is also an unsound tool for economic recovery,” says The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST).
CREST says it strongly disagrees with both Royal Caribbean officials and some tourism experts quoted in the press who contend that resuming cruise tourism is “critical to Haiti’s recovery.”
”This is a time for all hands on deck, not business as usual,” CREST says.
The unsightly image of thousands of cruise passengers lounging on beaches, sipping margaritas, and shopping for trinkets while being heavily guarded by Haitian forces hardly looks like a recipe for economic recovery.
“If anything, the humanitarian crisis is worsening…and security forces are desperately needed to protect relief supplies and distribution of food and water,” the organization says.
The group admits Royal Caribbean has shown initiatives in providing humanitarian relief.
“But it could do and should do much more,” the site says.
Among initiatives it suggests: dedicating several ships to ferry food and other supplies and use one or more cruise ships as shelters.
By David Wilkening
