20 February 2021

Support for tourism professionals

News, Economy, Madagascar, Organizer of trips and tours, Sustainable tourism

Support for tourism professionals

In support of tourism professionals, the program “Dealing with Covid” organize free training. A component of the Multisectoral Emergency Plan highly appreciated by the guides.

The Midi Madagascar team carried out an interview with Manitra Honeymoon, President of the National Federation of Guides (FNG).

Interview

Midi Madagascar (MM). Faced with the health crisis, the government is pushing tourist operators to bet on local tourism. What about guides ?

Fragrant Honeymoon (FNG). You should know that 29 guide associations on 37 existing include guides who work in national parks. Actually, the development of local tourism can have an impact because the guide service is compulsory in the parks for both foreigners and nationals. On the other hand, the other associations represent car rental companies and tour guides. These are left out, because local tourists do not necessarily need their services. As such, some guides strive to convert to other professions, because it's about survival.

How are today's activities going? ?

FNG. On the 29 associations I mentioned, only 10 still have enough customers, like those operating in Isalo, Ranomafana, Andasibe, Ankarafantsika, etc. But in a park, there is on average 80 guides. They apply a rotation system and the frequency is very slow today. The guides accumulate debts. Some sell their possessions to survive. According to our survey, children of guides are forced to stop their studies, lack of means. Parents prioritize the little ones and sacrifice the studies of the older ones.

Are solutions planned to deal with this disastrous situation? ?

FNG. Indeed the Federation has sought solutions. We applied for state subsidies. Lobbying was done with the CTM (Madagascar Tourism Confederation) to obtain cash transfers. But the message from leaders was clear : « By principle, there will be no subsidy ». We then asked for a guarantee fund to facilitate access to credit.. Negotiations are still ongoing. But something is already acquired. Training as part of the Miatrika Covid Program, seen as an answer to our cry for help. We have already requested capacity building to support the revival of the sector. The requested modules mainly concern basic training, language, entrepreneurship, etc. Today, we benefit from free training corresponding to these expectations, through the Miatrika Program and at the same time receive compensation.

Are the guides enthusiastic, against this program ?

FNG. The Miatrika Program is implemented in several areas such as Antananarivo, Diego, Sainte-Marie, in the Southwest, etc. Many guides from these regions ask us how to subscribe and participate in this project. As a federation, we show them how. It must be said that initially, there were concerns about the eligibility criteria. But officials at Miatrika later explained that all players in the tourism sector can benefit from the Program., at the request of companies or formal or informal associations, provided that they operate in tourism. After an information session organized in Antananarivo, all the guides of Madagascar are interested in the program, even those who grumbled before. This program represents a breath of fresh air for tourism professionals, “asphyxiated” by the crisis.

So are you satisfied ?

FNG. Yes, but this is not the only request expressed by the FNG. L'Etat, in partnership with the PIC project (Integrated growth pole) responded to some of our requests, but other processes are underway and we hope that they will lead to projects to be implemented.