Ecotourism in Madagascar - Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development - page 23

Glorioso Islands

COMOROS

Antsiranana
M o n t a g n e
d' A m b r e
N a t i o n a l
P a r k

Nosy Be

Mayotte

M O Z A M B I Q U E
C H A N N E L

Mahajanga

MADAGASCAR

IIe Ste-Marie

Amparafaravola
Toamasina

T s i n g y
N a t u r e
R e s e r v e

Nosy
Barren

ANTANANARIVO

P e r i n e t
R a i n f o r e s t

Antanifotsy
Antsirabe

Morondava

R a n o m a f a n a
N a t i o n a l P a r k

Mananjary

Manakara

I s a l o
N a t i o n a l P a r k

Toliara

I N D I A N
O C E A N

Ambovombe

F o r t
D a u p h i n

100 km
100 miles

© wordtravels.com

Source: World Bank (2003)

Figure 2.2 Map of Madagascar showing protected areas and major towns

international investors is still coming mainly from the private sector and donor
institutions. Ecotourism is practised on only a small scale in the country. It is
concentrated mainly on visits to the several National Parks and special reserves
during tours lasting for a day or two. Many parks and reserves are situated along
the well known tourism roads, for example, the National Parks of Montagne
d'Ambre, Ankarana, Andasibe-Mantadia, Tsingy de Bermaraha (a World
Heritage Site), Ranomafana, Andringitra and Isalo and to some extent Ste. Marie
Island and Baie d'Antongil. The training for tourist guides is normally handled by
ANGAP (Association Nationale pour la Gestion des Aires Protégées), the
national park institution. A three-month training course is given (to be paid by the
guide), combined with field work in one of the National Parks. Nevertheless, this
is still only a basic level of training and the majority of guides are practising 'learn-
ing by doing' or are undertaking self-study courses (e.g. languages). The
Chamber of Commerce has established, beginning in 2007, a new one-year dual
training course for local guides (50 per cent theory, 50 per cent practice) follow-
ing a highly successful model from Germany. If this new course is successfully
received by students and the private sector, it will be further implemented by
Chambers of Commerce in the provinces.