Haiti doesn’t typically bring to mind images of a peaceful vacation spot. A South Florida travel business, however, is trying to convince vacationers to give the country a try.

Recent news from Haiti does not promise relaxation: Gang violence and kidnappings have surged in the capital of the Western hemisphere’s poorest country.

Belfort is asking travelers to look beyond the problems in Port-au-Prince and give the rest of the country a chance. His Haitian-American-owned company sees increasing tourism as Haiti’s best chance to improve its crippled economy and finally achieve political stability - a plan Haiti’s new president also proposed at a Florida tourism conference in June.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is currently making a stop on the private Labadie Beach on the north coast of Haiti. But the port of call is a heavily guarded compound. The U.S. Department of State currently warns travellers about the dangers involved with a trip to Haiti.

Travel can be hazardous within Port-au-Prince. Some areas are off-limits to embassy staff, including downtown Port-au-Prince after dark. U.S. Embassy personnel are under an embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew. The embassy has limited travel by its staff outside of Port-au-Prince and therefore its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port-au-Prince is constrained. The UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) remains fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security.

Due to the current security situation in Haiti, the Department of State reminds U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Haiti to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security

Pierre Chauvet, president of Agence Citadelle, a Port-au-Prince travel agency, says the warnings are unfair and aren’t representative of the situation across the entire country.

The warnings unfairly paint Haiti as the only victim of crime and poverty in the Caribbean, said Pierre Chauvet, president of Agence Citadelle, a Port-au-Prince travel agency his father opened in 1946.

“It’s like saying problems in Miami mean one shouldn’t go to Florida. In Jamaica, not everybody goes to downtown Kingston - everybody goes to Montego Bay,” Chauvet said by phone from Port-au-Prince.

Because of the search for a missing U.S. woman in Aruba, there seems to be an increase in interest in the crime levels of various Caribbean islands. A good place to look before heading anywhere overseas is the U.S. Department of State website. The State Department offers advice about the level of crime in various countries and offers specific advice on travelling to Caribbean destinations. Below I’ve compiled the State Department’s crime information for Caribbean nations:

Antigua and Barbuda
Violent crimes have increased and armed assaults have been perpetrated against tourists. Petty street crime also occurs and valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Bahamas
Visitors should exercise normal caution in safeguarding valuables left on the beach. Woman may wish to avoid deserted areas, especially at night. Crime is more prevalent in major population centers, particularly the “over-the-hill” area of Nassau.

Barbados
Street crime sometimes occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Bermuda
Bermuda has a low crime rate. However, during the tourist season, pick pocketing and theft of unattended baggage can occur.

Dominica
Street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Dominican Republic
Valuables left unattended in parked cars, on beaches, and in other public places are subject to theft. Burglaries of private residences have increased. Some resort areas have experienced an increase in violent crime. The larger resort complexes, which rely on private security services, have generally not been affected.

French West Indies
The French West Indies include the islands of Guadeloupe, Isles des Saintes, La Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin and Martinique. Street crime, sometimes involving armed assault, appears to be on the rise in St. Martin. In the other territories, petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Grenada
Tourists have been victims of armed robbery in isolated areas, particularly after dark. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Haiti
Reports of crime, including armed and sometimes violent robbery, are increasing. Crimes involving occupied and unoccupied vehicles along Route Nationale No. 1 in the port area, in Cite Soleil, and along the airport road continue to be a problem.

Jamaica
Crime is a serious problem in and around Kingston, Jamaica’s capital. Criminal acts can rapidly turn violent. Visitors should exercise common sense, not walk around at night, and use only licensed taxis or hotel-recommended transportation. In tourist areas, be careful at isolated villas and small establishments.

Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles include the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius (also known as Statia), and St. Maarten. Petty street crime and armed robbery, including shooting of the victims, are increasing.

St. Kitts and Nevis
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

St. Lucia
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Trinidad and Tobago
Violent crime, including murder, is on the rise. While crime is significantly lower in Tobago, travelers may wish to avoid traveling alone.

In an effort to reduce a growing homicide rate, the prime minister of St. Lucia says he won’t hesitate to hang murderers. St. Lucia has experienced 17 murders this year, double the number at the same time last year.

Violent crimes don’t typically reach into the tourist community, but increasing crime rates do seem to be a distrubing trend across the Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who has responsibility in the quasi-Cabinet of CARICOM for crime and security, admitted that the profile of crime and security in the Caribbean has changed significantly over the last two decades.

“Today the trafficking and proliferation of illegal firearms, the emergence of new forms of crime, cyber attacks on financial institutions, and the threat of terrorism dictate that we address crime as a major concern for the region,” he said.

Manning said he is fearful that over the next three years, the potential for further criminal and security threats could emerge, as the Caribbean moves towards establishing its own single market and economy, the possible emergence of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), and the hosting of the Cricket World Cup in 2007.