Clouded perspectives: Malagasy tourism caught up in trouble20/04/2010 | 17:55:47
The icelandic ash cloud which troubles the european air traffic is having the same effect on Madagascar's tourism. The re launch expected to come true shortly before the upper season is being jeopardized. The series of flight cancellations has drawn strings of some serious financial losses.
In response to six flight cancellations from France, Air Madagascar made the effort to charter a Spanish aircraft to link Antananarivo to the outside world. France's northern part got affected by the ashy cloud, the plane took off from Marseille. Some 470 passengers made the trip. This is, however, far from satisfying for professionals reckoning with the incoming upper season's massive flow of tourists.
Cautiousness remains the main response the European sky situation. Air Madagascar, all as the other companies, are advising their passengers to postpone their trip if possible. The national airliner is bound to repay tickets if customers ever decide to cancel trips for good. "We've got to face up to significant losses, but it's not really in our hands no more ", regreted a tour operator. Cancelations are actually growing in number. "Inn keepers and we are in the same boat", he said.
A resumption of fligths from Europe is being expected to come true on Thursday April 22nd, 2010. French political officials have to grant their consent prior to such a thing. France represents nearly 2/3 of Madagascar's tourism business. Could the weather keep on being reluctant in Iceland, Madagascar's tourism might well be its next victim
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