LaPerle_HT

We are a team of dedicated and aspiring haitian data scientists committed to using digital tools for positive change in our country.This project count as our capstone project for our graduation in Data and Computer Science program lead by MIT-Emerging Talent program.

Overview of the project

Through this project, we seek to transform Haiti's global image, highlight its cultural,natural beauty and promote sustainable tourism by using modern digital technologies, data analysis and community-driven insights all that on a website.

Why tourism

Tourism is one of the most promising sectors for Caribbean countries, attracting an increasing number of visitors every year. However, it remains underdeveloped in several destinations across the region. According to the WTTC, the tourism sector contributed more than 91 million dollars to the region’s GDP in 2024 and is expected to grow by 7.4% in 2025. In addition, a study conducted by the World Tourism Organization in partnership with Oxford Economics shows that the sector supports nearly 3 million jobs—representing 15.7% of total employment in the Caribbean for 2024.

problem statement

We grew up with the image that Haiti cannot fully manage its economic expenditures. Food insecurity and unemployment are increasing day by day. Yet, the tourism sector remains neglected, and the country's image is constantly tarnished online and internationally. As a result, tourism stagnates in Haiti, despite strong growth in the Caribbean. Three(3) of the five(5) most visited countries(Dominican Republic,Jamaica, Cuba) in the region are just a few kilometers away from Haiti. The Dominican Republic, which shares the same island with Haiti, ranks first among these destinations. Both countries have similar natural assets. The only difference lies in how crises (political, natural disasters) are managed and the importance given to the tourism sector.

In this context, the question arises: do crisis (political, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic) have a significant impact on tourist arrivals in Haiti?

research question

'How can data-driven digital platforms showcasing Haiti’s natural beauty, culture, and historical heritage change the global perception of Haiti and promote sustainable tourism?'

Findinds

Our correlation analyses show that political crisis and natural disaster have not significant linear impact on tourist arrivals in Haiti. This indicates that the country’s tourism potential remains relatively stable, even during times of crisis. At the same time, our predictive model for 2026–2027 indicates a general upward trend in tourist arrivals in the Caribbean region, suggesting a growing tourism market and potential demand that Haiti can tap into.

Since crisis do not significantly affect tourism, digital platforms have a stable foundation to showcase Haiti’s assets.The projected growth in Caribbean tourism represents an opportunity to seize. Well-targeted digital initiatives can capture this demand, attract more visitors, and enhance the country’s international image. By leveraging data-driven content on Haiti’s cultural, natural, and historical heritage, digital platforms can not only strengthen global perceptions of the country but also encourage more responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

The results confirm that Haiti has exploitable tourism potential and that digital platforms can play a key role in transforming global perception and promoting sustainable tourism, relying on a stable foundation and a growing regional market.

Background review

A brief overview of our shared insights on the tourism sector and caribbean region and Haiti.

Located in the '0_domain_study' folder. Link : (https://github.com/MIT-Emerging-Talent/ELO2_LAPERLE_HT/tree/main/0_domain_study)

Non-technical explanation of the domain

In this project, we plan to create a data-driven website to promote sustainable tourism in Haiti. Beforehand, we are conducting a study on regional tourism trends and examining how political crisis and natural disasters affect the tourism sector in Haiti. Many neighboring countries, such as the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, rely heavily on large-scale tourism promotion, and this strategy has proven successful, as both countries are among the five(5) most visited destinations in 2024.

We are using data on inbound tourist in Haiti and across the Caribbean(1995-2022). Additionally, we are collecting information on Haiti’s tourism assets, including beaches, tourist sites, cultural attractions, safe areas, hotels, and more.

Our analysis focuses on the relationship between years of crisis in Haiti and tourist arrivals, as well as regional tourism trends,whether tourism is increasing or decreasing, and what Haiti can potentially expect. The data on Haiti’s tourism assets will be used to showcase content on the website.

Limitation

• The data do not allow us to capture seasonality and do not enable us to identify peak periods within each year.

Summary of our analysis approach

• We conducted statistical and machine learning analysis to evaluate how do years of crisis correlate with tourist arrival in Haiti.

• We conduct a linear correlation to see if there is significant linear correlation between political crisis, natural disaster and tourists arrival in Haiti

• Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) to visualize trends in the tourist sector both in Haiti and in the caribbean region

Team members

Pierre Kenley MERVIL

Kervens Hubert LOUIS

Cliforde EXAEL