No visa rights for tourists in 201008/01/2010 | 15:12:13
All along the year 2010, tourists will not have to pay for visa rights to enter Madagascar’s borders. Though being relatively insignificant, such rights used to be a cause for grumbles at the Ivato airport.
In view of sustaining tourism recovery, visa rights have been suspended by the ministry in charge within the finance law. Short term stays of less than three months are being concerned. Here at last is one of those too seldom news which might give a boost to Destination Madagascar. 2009 was the year whose tourist flow plummeted as a direct consequence of the political crisis. The sector generated in all an amount of 308 billions of ariary. The government invested some 30 billions of ariary in building projects.
Technical layoffs have taken a toll on tourism oriented businesses, and did not spare the highest ranked ones. One thousand jobs have, however, been created in the sector. New hotels and travel agencies have opened up during the crisis. The year 2009, as far as tourism is concerned, has been saved from collapse by promotions conceded by airline companies. Air Madagascar filled its airliners up thanks to BOGOF tickets: one free ticket for one ticket purchased. Operators were able to keep relying on tourist flow in provinces, while Antananarivo has been deserted due to political demonstrations
Madagascar's National Tourism Office is taking part in ITB Berlin, the world's greates tourism show, from March 10th to March 14th, 2010. The Great Isle's representatives are located in the hall 20.[See]
The Vakinankaratra regional office of Tourism is standing by the "long term" label to kick start activities undermined by the home grown political crisis and the backlashes of the global economic downturn. The idea is compliance with the western tourists' requirements for defence of the environment and populations' well-being.[See]
The ministry in charge of tourism and handicraft is joining forces with a NGO while starting a pioneer project of struggle against sexual tourism. The preservation of cultural heritage is put forward as a way to attract genuine tourists into the Great Isle.[See]
On January 28th and 29th, 2010, the second national reflection meeting in some months for tourism's actors are taking place. This time around, it is the public sector's turn. The Tourism ministry is mobilizing the communal administration officials in order to implement the national assemblies' resolutions. The decentralization of formalities and the regional development are the on going topics.[See]
One of the leading symbols of tourism in Antsirabe city throws the towel. The Hôtel des Termes is planning technical unemployment at the beginning of December.[See]
This year, the Jerijery festival, held in the commune of Vavatenina, in the region of Analanjirofo east of the Great Isle, is celebrating its tenth birthday.[See]
Madagascar's Innkeepers' Federation (FHORM) wants to re-launch the Destination Madagascar from the French market. The "Carrefour des métiers de bouche et de l'hôtellerie", an inn keeping and restoration show meant to be held in Niort in November 2009, happens to be an opportunity to polish the Great Isle's reputation.[See]
The ONTM, supported by the IFC (International Finance Corporation) and by the CI (Conservation International), has just made an "interactive Sales Manual DVD" public. This communication medium is featuring information concerning the Destination Madagascar addressed to foreign tourism experts.[See]
Madagascar's tourism national office (ONTM) is one of the three recipients of 1,5 millions euros as financial commercial capability enhancement program or PRCC 2. Such financial help is stemming from the French development agency (AFD) in right time for the institution in charge of promoting the Madagascar destination.[See]
