Strengthening the reputation of the Big Island

Tourism sector indicators reveal a slow yet steady increase, with 28,260 tourists visiting Madagascar last month. While this figure surpasses that of July 2019, it remains slightly below the same period last year.

This data, released by the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, suggests a promising recovery for the industry, which is gradually overcoming the challenges of recent years. In the first seven months of this year, Madagascar welcomed just over 126,000 tourists, marking an increase of 25,000 compared to the same period in 2023 when 111,105 visitors were recorded.

To further bolster the island’s reputation, there is a growing emphasis on attracting large-scale investments. Industry operators are particularly keen on improving road and hotel infrastructure, as well as enhancing the efficiency of air services. The current state of the roads presents a significant challenge for tourists, who often face delays in their travel schedules due to limited time and poor land transportation options.

Industry experts highlight the importance of seeking investments and expanding the domestic network to drive the growth of the tourism sector, which contributes 13 % to Madagascar’s GDP.