Ecotourism in Madagascar - Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development - page 17

2

Ecotourism in Madagascar:
How a Sleeping Beauty is Finally Awakening

Michaela Pawliczek and Hitesh Mehta

Introduction

Madagascar is located in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique (Africa
mainland) and the islands of Mauritius and Reunion. It is the fourth largest island
in the world, and is home to 5 per cent of the world's plant and animal species, of
which more than 80 per cent are endemic. Most notable are the lemur infraorder of
primates, the carnivorous fossa, three endemic bird families and six endemic
baobab species (Goodman et al, 2003). However, due to various political,
economic, and social factors, Madagascar's tourism and, in particular ecotourism, 1
potentials have been 'asleep' for a long time. The story of Madagascar is similar to
that of Walt Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty'. Often called 'divine creation', a 'biodiver-
sity hot spot', a 'Garden of Eden', 'The kingdom of baobabs' or 'Madagascar - La
vie en grand', these slogans are increasingly matching the reality. Madagascar is
currently awakening to its potential for tourism development and has much to
offer to tourists. Some of Madagascar's attractions include:

• 4828km of mostly untouched coastline (CIA World Factbook, 2008);

• the third largest reef in the world and several world renowned spots for diving;

• a unique population, combining African and Asian influences, integrating

ancient traditions into modern living;

• a wide variety of options for tourists, including sun and sand tourism, nature

and cultural tourism, and adventure tourism; and

• 46 existing protected areas (one of the highest levels in the world for one

country) covering 1,700,000ha and hosting 6 natural heritage sites. 2 In and