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
Series of tourist reports concerning Madagascar is to be broadcasted in Italy by the beginning of 2012. The show is likely to draw more Italians to the Great Isle. It will focus on seven young ladiesī adventures throughout the Great Isleīs marvels, like the whales, the baobabs, the Tsingy and the white sandy beaches. The touristic branch is expecting substantial profits from the Donnaventura concept in 2012[See]
In a long statement, the professional group gathered within Madagascarīs national office of Tourism makes no secret of its concerns in face of the Air Madagascar airline companyīs difficulties of these latest months.[See]
The place called Soatanāna is a cause for a certain interest. "Soatanāna: cultural destination" is the title of researches led by the interdisciplinary Department and the letters departmentīs professional training in the university of Antananarivo. The researches were brilliantly presented by Razaka Oliva on April 13th.[See]
The ministry in charge of tourism is expecting this year some 250000 tourists. Professionnals making their money from this sector are regaining confidence although the situation is far form matching that of before the crisis.[See]
Madagascar's northern part might be soon entitled to a new airport in order to attract more visitors. Antsiranana's current airfield is being rated as dangerous by many airline companies[See]
Bush fires are continuously ruining the Great Isle, as reflected by the latest incident in the Isalo national park, on the famous national road 7. On this account, rangers are meant to be empowered in Ankarafantsika, in the capital city's North west.[See]
Antananarivo used to be a simple stopover for foreign tourists in the Great Isle. The national Office for Tourism is longing for bringing a change[See]
