Above: Ile de la Tortue (Photo: MT Haiti)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti has begun the groundwork for the development of the new Carnival cruise port on the island of Ile de la Tortue.

Haiti Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin recently led a delegation to the island, aiming to “establish a first contact with the people of the area to inform them about the proposed development,” according to a statement from the Ministry.

Haiti and Carnival signed an agreement in the summer on a $70 million cruise port project on the island, which is located off Haiti’s northern coast.

It would be the second major cruise port in Haiti, along with the longstanding Royal Caribbean port in Labadee.

Villedrouin said she was emphasizing the benefits of this investment for locals, particularly the industries of agriculture and fisheries.

“This project will also support the promotion of handicrafts, training young people for careers in tourism and the creation of direct and indirect jobs in the region,” Villedrouin said.