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Some hints for successful ecotourism in Madagascar
Follow the rules of responsible tourism Many organizations far more qualified than I will give you the "rules" for running a ecologically and socially responsible tour operation. Take a look at Conservation International for ideas. Marketing Madagascar as it stands today is not a destination suited for all travelers. Target your market by focusing on ecotourists who are willing to overlook the rough edges of travel in Madagascar. Do not overlook the special interest travelers: those who fixate on wildlife, birding, or cultural experiences. Build on the media wave created with the release of Dreamworks' movie release "Madagascar" and the launch of the Bronx zoo exhibit on Madagascar. Encourage visits by credible members of the media Logistics Encourage the development of resources and materials that will be useful to visiting tourists. Specifically I'm looking at print materials that can be sold in national parks. Materials like maps, pamphlets on local ecology and history, and cards listing species found in a particular protected area. Continue teaching English and other languages in school. The more languages spoken in tourist areas the better. Local tourists Malagasy tourists need to show respect for their environment as well when they travel to other parts of Madagascar. There's nothing that will rile an ecotourist faster than watching other tourists littering the ground with their trash and cigarette butts. Keep the ecotourists happy, discourage littering. << Previous | Next >> Threats | Saving Madagascar's Environment Find a mistake? Want to submit pictures or content? Contact WildMadagascar.org Almost all pictures on this site were taken with a Konica Minolta |
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RECENT NEWS Dell becomes carbon neutral by saving endangered lemurs (08/06/2008)Every year as much as one-third of Dell, the world's largest computer maker, announced it has become the first major technology company to achieve carbon neutrality. Population of critically endangered lemurs discovered in Madagascar (7/22/2008) Scientists in Madagascar have discovered a population of greater bamboo lemurs (Prolemur simus), a critically endangered species of primate, in an area more than 400 kilometers away from its only known refuge, reports conservation International. Lemurs are key to health of Madagascar's rainforests (06/12/2008) Lemurs play a key role in the health of Madagascar's tropical rainforests said a renowned primatologist speaking at a meeting of conservation biologists in Paramaribo, Suriname. Madagascar signs big carbon deal to fund rainforest conservation (06/11/2008> Madagascar will sell more than nine million tons of carbon offsets to fund rainforest conservation in a newly established protected area. conservationists say the deal protect endangered wildlife, promote sustainable development to improve the economic well-being of people living in and around the park area, and help fight global warming. Conservation is saving lemurs and helping people in Madagascar (5/7/2007) Madagascar, an island nation that lies off the coast of southeastern Africa, has long been famous for its unique and diverse species of wildlife, especially lemurs--primates found nowhere else on the planet. In recent years, the island country has also become world-renowned for conservation efforts that are succeeding in spite of extraordinary pressures from a poor population that relies heavily on forest burning for basic subsistence. A large part of this success is due to the early efforts of Patricia Wright, a primatologist who has been working in the country for more than 20 years. Wright led the effort to launch the country's leading protected area and helped Madagascar become a leading global example of conservation despite its economic adversity. More news GEAR 
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