 "Photo: MCT Campus")
Testing new water sports, shopping at local craft vendors and sipping margaritas in a hammock are all typical activities on a pristine and private beach in Labadee, Haiti.
Although this country may never be the same considering the Jan. 12 earthquake, which flattened Port-au-Prince, Royal Caribbean International cruise line has been continuing with business as usual. Currently, this nautical company is sifting through a sea of controversy as it continues to dock its ships at Labadee, which is a private resort about 90 miles away from the devastated Port-au-Prince.
However, passengers who purchased tickets prior to the earthquake are all facing an ethical question of whether or not it’s wrong to enjoy themselves. Critics are outraged and disgusted by the thought of tourists playing in beaches while bodies continue to pile up in Port-au-Prince. However, Royal Caribbean insists on its positive influence by generating tourism for Haiti in the present and future.
According to www.cnn.com, Royal Caribbean has been one of Haiti's largest foreign investors for almost 30 years and has spent $50 million developing Labadee.
"The idea to relax so close to the death and destruction was definitely awkward," passenger Daniel Melleby said in an article in Newsweek. “But it became clear pretty quickly that the people there were very happy and relieved to see us.”
Cruise line officials have been trying to reassure customers who are reconsidering going on a trip that includes a stop in Haiti.
"My view is it isn't better to replace a visit to Labadee — or for that matter, to stay on the ship while it's docked in Labadee — with a visit to another destination for a vacation," Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said on his blog. "Why? Because being on the island and generating economic activity for the straw market vendors, the hair-braiders and our 230 employees helps with relief while being somewhere else does not help."
Nonetheless, according to Newsweek, passengers still support Royal Caribbean’s choice as 85 percent of guests who docked at Labadee ultimately went ashore.
According to its Web site, Royal Caribbean has made humanitarian efforts by donating $1 million to Haiti and used its ships to bring supplies such as rice, dried beans, powdered milk, water and canned goods. Royal Caribbean also stated on its site that 100 percent of the company's net revenue from the destination will be contributed to the relief effort.
In spite of this, opponents argue that Royal Caribbean is making an unethical choice by continuing to visit Haiti and that it could be doing more to help the country. Dr. Jess Ponting, a hospitality and tourism management assistant professor at San Diego State, believes now is not the time for such recreation and the company could offer more of its resources.
“There are assets Royal Caribbean has and could bring to the country to restore order such as use the ships to house people, provide hospital service or even house relief workers,” Ponting said.
“As they come in, they take away valuable resources needed. Cruise ships have even been used to house (Hurricane) Katrina victims.”
He also said the company’s contribution to the Haitian economy is very minimal.
“The nation receives 800 percent more taxes from a regular visitor compared to cruise visitors who come for a day,” Ponting said. “The regular tourist pays more taxes for drinks and different things they purchase, whereas cruise ships are profitable because (the passenger’s money) doesn’t go into the economy, the money goes back to cruise.”
Most of his Ponting’s research came from the Center for Responsible Travel and he found that the Labadee beaches need extensive security to protect tourists. He said this is diverting much needed guards who can help restore order in Port-au-Prince.
“I don’t want to kick Royal Caribbean, but they don’t contribute to the economy,” he said. “They have been helping, but they continue with business as usual and it’s clearly not (enough).”
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