Tourism in Madagascar

The tourism in Madagascar is a very recent phenomenon (beginning of 80s). It is universally recognized that there are magnificent beaches in Nosy Be, Sainte Marie , Fort Dauphin,... But the seaside resort tourism is neither the main nor the only one kind of tourism in Madagascar. And concurrents are numerous because there are also beautiful beaches elsewhere in the world and somewhere in the Indian Ocean . Tourism planners and contractors recognize that Madagascar is badly prepared to be able to compete luxury tourism beaches on bordering cities . However its endemic fauna and flora, its unique nature, its population of varied origin confer it a serious advantage compared with countries devoid of these cultural and natural resources .

Ecotourism

The ecotourism is defined as being a trip aiming to give visitors a sense of responsibility to the nature protection and to the local population well being . In Madagascar , ecotourism is based on protected areas constituted by integral natural reserves , national parks and special reserves which offer a great variety of resources to favor its development and concern increasingly numerous tourist operators.

Madagascar and its protected aereas

The protected areas choice are justified by :

The application of an environment development program benefitting from a financed operational structure .
The ecotourism capacity to perpetuate protected areas conservation program and consequently to perpetuate ecosystems. Although incomplete, Malagasy protected areas system represents the different aspects of its natural ecosystems
A well targeted development policy in peripheral zones which would lighten pressures on protected areas and would insure a durable development.
A conservation strategy considered not as a constraint but rather as a means and a purpose of education. Ecotourism aims at all levels the education of the bordering population , operators, decisoin-makers . Protected areas management would have to integrate the bordering population and the ecotourism is one of the ways and means allowing this integration .

A coherent governmental ecotourism policy

Ecotourism is translated as :
A high level tourism without for all that being a luxury tourism .
A change of scene tourism : acceptance of some constraints such as infrastructures inadequacy and architectures simplicity.
A tourism without loss of culture and with a progressive development.

Caracteristics of ecotourism in Madagascar

Ecotourism in madagascar is then characterized by :
Its educative and amusing aspect.
Its location : natural sites
Its concern for nature conservation and local culture respect .
Its beneficial spin off on local population.
Its exploitation devoid of mercantilism.
Its capacity to contribute to perpetuate protected Areas program.

The points of fall of the ecotourism development

They can be summarized as follows :
Natural sites , « slightly humanized » landscape and cultural sites.
Natural sites:Forest mountains with its different status . Lacustrine landscapes . Coral reef zones ( marine environment ). Particular geomorphological sites .
Human landscapes :forest and piscicultural stations. Reafforestation perimeters …
Cultural sites : traditional cult places, tombs .Historical and/ or traditional architectures . Historical vestiges (museums )

Ecotourism in Madagascar potential

It is undeniable that Madagascar ecotourism potential is universally recognized, however a lot of constraints prevent its development , such the political instability, or the insufficiency of the air and road transportation , the lack of adequate accommodation .…

To the unique character of the nature is added Malagasy culture originality. These fundamental elements make the ecotourism in Madagascar one of the integrated and durable forms of development aiming the conservation of the ecosystem.

Despite its present potential, ecotourism in Madagascar is still reduced refering to international norms . Ecotourism in Madagascar is yet at experimentation stage. Nevertheless, it has a promising future, and if it is well managed , it can considerably contribute to national natural reserve movement conservation and to economic development. Let's discover all Discover Madagascar ecotour circuits.