“Responsible and sustainable tourism” : l’hôtel★★★ restaurant Coco Lodge s’engage
Awareness of the issues (environmental, social and economic) sustainable tourism is recent in Madagascar but already translates into a multitude of realities.
It is worth noting that to compensate for regular infrastructure, private Malagasy tourism services providers have taken, for a very long time initiatives, including socially : help at local school, support to the clinic, staff training...
Several players intervened for the protection of their natural environment, which is often their real stock in trade.
The assistance of agencies and donors helped raise awareness and train operators to the concrete realities of sustainable development (NGO Acting For Life in the Vakinankaratra, decentralized cooperation Ille-et-Vilaine in the Alaotra Mangoro...).
There is also the most elaborate project which saw the accession of some 30 operators in the island of perfumes. The Charter "Nosy Be is committed to sustainable tourism", with the initial support of the German Cooperation (GIZ), will continue, in this year 2013, to implement best practices in order to improve the 'sustainable' tourism activities in this island in the Northwest of Madagascar.
Apart from these few projects that could affect dozens of operators in limited areas, It should be noted the many accomplishments that punctuate the island having had a strong impact among the local populations.
If it is not, sometimes, sustainable actions (because financial independence may not be, always guaranteed without the support of the NGO or donor at the initiative of the project) the 'responsible' actors behavior, both the environmental and social, is often remarkable.
The transfer of management of a few structures that tends towards a true "community tourism" is, in many cases, excellent track.
Without being exhaustive, a list of 'products' in which tourists will be able to have the certainty of travel in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility :
Madagascar National Parks.
Leader institution of ecotourism in the big island, Madagascar National Parks manages fifty protected areas including national parks that make up products 'lighthouses' of Madagascar tourism.
50% the benefits of parks entry fees are dedicated to the development of community projects identified by local communities of the parks themselves : water supply, market, school, Road...
Madagascar National Parks play a vital role in the conservation of the biodiversity of the country but also in the provision of alternative income and the improvement of the living conditions of a large number of villagers : guides, Parks officers, bed and breakfast tables, craft sale...
