Towards better-structured tourism management

Nosy Iranja, a tourist gem in northwestern Madagascar, is taking another step towards more structured management.

During a key meeting held under the leadership of the Governor of the Diana Region, Rakotomanga Taciano, several resolutions were adopted to oversee the island’s development. Among the major decisions were the creation of a provisional committee to manage the site, the acceleration of the adoption of a regional decree on the management of strategic tourist areas, and the establishment of a permanent structure that includes all relevant stakeholders.

The Integrated Growth Poles Project (ICP), funded by the World Bank and mandated by the Malagasy government, will support this process by providing technical and institutional support. On March 5, an official delegation led by the Governor and the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, Randriamialison T. Yvon, visited the site.

Welcomed by village associations, the delegation discussed with the local population the proposed management model, including financing the site through entrance fees. The goal is to ensure a fair distribution of benefits and the sustained involvement of communities.

With its 180 hectares and 44,521 visitors in 2023, Nosy Iranja aims to become a benchmark in sustainable tourism management. This project could serve as a model for other emblematic sites in Madagascar, where economic development and environmental preservation must advance hand in hand.