According to the UNWTO (World tourism organization), tourism is the practice of travelling for recreation as well as the promotion of tourism and management of tourists. Tourism, due to its being the first foreign currency provider in global economy, is considered by many countries as an efficient local and regional development tool.

In this flourishing industry, which has created more than 100 million jobs in 2000, the most dynamic branch is ecotourism, with an annual growth comprised between 10% and 30%, whereas the whole sector’s growth is around 4%.

International tourism: comparative advantages of Madagascar

International tourism can be subdivided into four main categories: resort tourism, nature tourism, adventure and sports tourism, and cruise tourism. Madagascar can propose all four categories in various area around the island, which gives this country an advantage over other destinations.

Thanks to its huge biodiversity and to its geographical and climatic diversity, Madagascar is indeed one of the most promising destinations in the world for ecotourism, provided that huge investments are made in terms of accommodation infrastructures and destination marketing.

Madagascar, given its unique and diversified assets, should generate unlimited demand, though it is not the case at the moment. The island’s bad performance is due to lack of marketing and supplies. Any efforts made to palliate these lacks are bound to bear significant results.

Yet, any future development of tourism depends on the country’s ability to cope up with the constraints and to apply the recommendations, especially those concerning the investment climate, environment conservation and international marketing.

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