Haiti launches TV ad campaign to woo American vacationers

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti is launching what officials say is its first TV advertising campaign aimed at encouraging Americans to vacation in the poor Caribbean country.

The country's tourism ministry and a U.S. cable provider have developed TV spots and a Cablevision destination channel dubbed "Haiti: Experience It!" to woo people living in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

President Michel Martelly's administration hopes foreign visitors can help revive the economy in the country of 10 million people, where most adults lack steady work and survive on less than $2.50 a day.

There are ambitious plans to develop some coastal areas into resorts.