Ecotourism in Madagascar - Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development - page 27

its value to the country's overall economic development has still not been recog-
nized.
It seems that the necessary points for tourism development, especially for
sustainable ecotourism development, need to be reinforced or adapted to ensure
more successful tourism development in the future. Looking at Madagascar's
main competitors cited in the masterplan (GATO, 2005) - Costa Rica, Australia,
Brazil, Belize, South Africa, Ecuador, and Mozambique and Kenya - and how
they manage and direct their tourism development, a number of elements can be
identified that seem to serve as a basis for their successful approach:

• A harmonization of stakeholders' efforts with the creation of synergies

between them on a national, regional and local level.

• A clear and practical administrative structure.

• A proper vision and policy for ecotourism development through a realistic

development plan, with achievable objectives and concrete activities in a set
timeframe; supported by a legal framework that works correctly.

• The development of the countries' unique selling points (USP) with the help

of specific products and services, especially at the regional level; increased
national and regional promotion and marketing efforts.

• Sufficient education and training systems of a high quality.

• Well-established guiding, tour operator and accommodation certification

programmes, such as the Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program
(NEAP3), International Ecotourism Standard (Green Globe), Eco-rating
Scheme (Kenya) and the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)
(Mehta, 2007).

• A government that facilitates the tourism development approach for the

country by providing and supporting the necessary investment climate and
conditions.

• A private sector that wants to produce a profit, but follows a sustainable way

as supported by the government and donor institutions.

• The integration of and benefit for the local population from tourism develop-

ment.

It is clear that one competitor alone is not able to provide all these elements in
common but together they provide a framework for long-term ecotourism devel-
opment focusing on sustainability.

Challenges to address

There are still several hindrances which need to be eliminated or facilitated to
finally realize the government's vision as described in the MAP. Some have been
already mentioned and will be explained in more detail now. In addition, there are
a number of views and suggestions which are currently under discussion by stake-
holders that can offer a wider picture to the reader.