According to the United Nations, more than 5,600 people were killed in gang violence in Haiti in 2024, with another 2,212 injured and 1,494 kidnapped. This stands in stark contrast to the luxury cruise ships that dock on the island every few days, bringing thousands of affluent tourists.
I was aboard one of those ships, shielded by a mountain range that made it nearly impossible for locals to even catch a glimpse of the vessels by road.
Tourists grappled with the realization that they weren’t experiencing authentic Haiti. Instead, they wandered within a tightly controlled, sanitized environment where Haitian vendors were restricted to specific zones. Security was discreet, carefully preserving the illusion of a carefree vacation.
Warnings were posted, advising tourists not to venture beyond their designated areas, creating a feeling of a manufactured, gated experience—almost like a modern-day Jurassic Park. Visitors could buy a keychain or a fridge magnet as proof of their trip, while outside the protected zones, half the population was struggling to survive.
Why is this even a tourist spot?
GTA 6 will drop this year and the hype train will explode as casual and pro gamers move into this new world and ditch their real lives.