This footage was filmed and produced in March 2024.

Haiti's economy has taken a massive hit as gang violence continues to wreak havoc, further cementing its status as the Caribbean's poorest nation.

Ever since heavily armed gangs launched a coordinated assault on Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince one month ago, criminals have had a stranglehold on the seaport, airport and roads.

As a result, Haiti's second-largest city Cap-Haitien is struggling to receive supplies from the capital despite having a port.

"The worst thing is the supply of fuel because we as a construction and transport company, our basic need is fuel. Once you don't have fuel, it's really hard. Fuel prices keep rising [to an] extraordinarily high level," said businessman Christopher Etienne.

Mayor Patrick Almonor said the tourism hub has seen a huge drop in visitors.

"The crisis has a really big negative impact on Cap-Haitien. Tourism, cultural activities and even planning were the first to suffer because the city had to cancel a lot of events that were already planned to take place this year. A lot of people from the Haitian diaspora were ready to come to Haiti, but they had to cancel, because there were no flights," said the mayor.

The hotel sector is also feeling the pinch without the usual year-round festivals and events.

The Retrouvailles Hotel, which can accommodate 50 guests, now stands empty, according to manager Kareen Bell. However, she insists that the city remains safe.

"We have a beautiful city, a very touristic place where people feel safe to go around. So, I would love to invite everybody to come to Haiti as well when things calm down," said the manager.

The beaches of Haiti's northern coast, usually a major tourist attraction, are currently deserted. The crisis in the capital has led to the closure of airports and hotels, deterring tourists.

Jean Bernard Simonnet, Executive Director of the Cormier Plage Resort Beach Hotel, says he's shutting down.

"I'm closing the hotel, and I will just keep the beach and the restaurant to keep my workers, the people, my employees with me. The worst thing is I don't see something happening. I don't see a future," he said.

While Haiti's beaches may seem like paradise, the absence of stability and security not only hampers tourism but also negatively impacts the lives of Haitians.

SHOTLIST

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - March 2024
1. Materials burning on street;

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti - March 2024
2. Government forces patrolling street;
3. Armed gang members on street;

Cap-Haitien, Haiti - Recent
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Etienne, businessman (ending with shot 5):
"The worst thing is the supply of fuel because we as a construction and transport company, our basic need is fuel. Once you don't have fuel, it's really hard. Fuel prices keep rising [to an] extraordinarily high level.";
5. Various of street views, driver refueling manually;
6. SOUNDBITE (Creole, dubbed in English) Patrick Almonor, Mayor, Cap-Haitien:
"The crisis has a really big negative impact on Cap-Haitien. Tourism, cultural activities and even planning were the first to suffer because the city had to cancel a lot of events that were already planned to take place this year. A lot of people from the Haitian diaspora were ready to come to Haiti, but they had to cancel, because there were no flights.";
7. Various of hotel manager telling business plight, showing empty room
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Kareen Bell, manager, Retrouvailles Hotel:
"We have a beautiful city, a very touristic place where people feel safe to go around. So, I would love to invite everybody to come to Haiti as well when things calm down.";
9. Various of traffic, pedestrians;
10. Various of beach views, people;
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean Bernard Simonnet, Executive Director, Cormier Plage Resort Beach Hotel (starting with shot 10):
"I'm closing the hotel, and I will just keep the beach and the restaurant to keep my workers, the people, my employees with me. The worst thing is I don't see something happening. I don't see a future.";
12. Various of children having fun at beach, beach views.

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