Exclusive with G Adventure’s Bruce Poon Tip

In case you’ve been living under a rock, let us update you. Trump recently called Haiti and a number of other countries “shithole countries”.

The result has been a worldwide shaking of the head, not just because of the sheer stupidity of this statement, but also because all of the countries are in fact, pretty great.

Upon hearing the comments, G Adventures Founder Bruce Poon Tip has a thing or two to say about the issue, so don’t just listen to us, listen to an industry pro.

“I was shocked by what I saw when we arrived and to this day I can’t escape the horrors I saw on the ground – it still haunts me.

What struck me most about the Haitian people, however, was their strength and resilience under the most devastating conditions. There was total destruction and the country was forced into survival mode.

When I landed there were people waiting on the airstrips for aid and the world responded, but at a pace that just didn’t seem fast enough.

These people had lost everything; their homes, their possessions and their loved ones, yet they were still strong in faith and spirit.

When one of our fellow global brothers and sisters is hurting, it is our duty to respond to that call for help. To use a natural disaster to form opinions on race, and to shape immigration policy, is simply inhuman.

Fast-forward to 2013, when our good deed was returned and G Adventures’ non-profit organization, Planeterra, was contracted by the Inter-American Development Bank to consult on accessing Haiti’s tourism potential.

What my team found when they got to Haiti was a vibrant country bursting with art and culture, friendly and welcoming locals, and a wealth of natural wonders like cave systems, waterfalls and swimming holes.

As a result of our findings, we decided to launch our small group adventure tours in Haiti in 2015 – the first operator to do so – and we’re still running those trips today.

Tourism is one of the main ways we can redistribute wealth to countries that need it, and one of the main ways we help change the perception of a place.

Yes, Haiti is still rebuilding, but it’s a beautiful country with a lot to offer, and I’m proud our travellers are helping make a difference to the lives of the people who live there and have had to endure so much.

As an immigrant of a Caribbean nation, I am passionate about supporting Haiti. And anyone visiting won’t be disappointed

Bruce’s top five must-do highlights when visiting Haiti:

Visit Haiti’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site – The Citadel near Cap Haitien in the north of Haiti dates back to 1805. It’s known as the Haitian symbol of liberty, as it was built by the first black slaves to gain their freedom.
Explore the arts scene in Port-au-Prince – From raw and gritty sculptures through to stunning painted canvases, the Haitian people have a talent for expressing themselves through art.
Experience a vodou ceremony – The vodou religion was carried to Haiti from West Africa, and it continues today. A far cry from the ‘voodoo’ seen in Hollywood films, a visit to a vodou priest is a unique cultural experience.
Get out in nature – Located just outside Jacmel, nature has gifted Haiti three all-natural swimming pools. You have to put the work in to get to get to Basson Blue, but will be rewarded with a swim in clear blue water under a beautiful waterfall.
Hit the beach – This is the Caribbean afterall. Enjoy beautiful beaches with few tourists, and indulge in some of the local seafood.

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