If you build it, they will come: Haitian capital is hoping to boost economy with new hotels

In one of the biggest signs of recovery since the devastating earthquake two years ago, Port-au-Prince is getting seven new hotels.

The Haitian capital and surrounding area will be home to at least seven new hotels and see renovations to damaged ones, totaling $100 million in new investment in the area, The Associated Press reports.

While tourism would be a significant boost to the area, it isn't the reason the hotels are going up; tourists tend to avoid the Haitian capital. The plan is to attract investors interested in building factories, adding thousands of jobs to the still-struggling Port-au-Prince area, and give them somewhere to stay.

Building business-class hotels was one of the recommendations made by the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, led by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The charity has given a $2 million equity investment to support the development of the hotels.

There's high hopes those hotels will soon be filled with investors, as those who are there already have quickly filled what's available to capacity.

"Right now, there's such a demand that the market can absorb several hotels," said Marriott International executive Alejandro Acevedo to AP. On a recent visit, Acevedo shared a hotel room with his boss because of a lack of available space.

"There's nowhere to stay," he said.

Much of the investment in the area is dependent on increased political stability. Differences between President Michel Martelly and the outgoing prime minister, as well as illegal armed forces roaming the country have led to the departure of previous investors, like Club Med and Holiday Inn.

But the promise of new investors if these issues are addressed has those involved cautiously optimistic about Haiti's future.

"This is going to be one of the most palpable signs of modernity emerging from the ashes of the earthquake," Jerry Tardieu, President and General Director of the Royal Oasis hotel, told AP.