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| Handshake between the PIC coordinator and the PCA of the Madagascar National Tourism Office. |
Palpable support. The economic transformation project for inclusive growth (PIC) supports tourism, one of the growth sectors of the economy. The latest edition of the ITM (International Tourism Fair of Madagascar), coupled with the International Handicraft Fair of Madagascar (IHM), was 60% financially supported by the project. The event helped position Madagascar as a leading tourist destination in the Indian Ocean and southern Africa.
But it is not only the organization of events of national and international scope, the project supports the field of institutional governance and public-private dialogue, land and maritime connectivity and the improvement of service offers and of tourism products. The PIC supports regional directors of Tourism and Crafts in the formalization of establishments and the control of tourist stickers. The ten regional tourism offices are supported in the tourism promotion of regional destinations until they achieve financial autonomy.
Government
Seven thousand tourism workers and almost two thousand tourist guides were trained under the “Miatrika” training program. The diversification of tourist products such as Mont Passot in Nosy Be, the Montagne des Français and the Tsingy Rouge in Antsiranana, Nosy Ve in Anakao, Toliara II and Pirates Island in Sainte-Marie, continues. Kitesurfing, crafts and cruise ship accommodation, considered key niche products, are in the development phase.
Details in a letter from the PIC underline that it supports the rehabilitation of roads and access tracks such as Joffreville and Montagne d’Ambre in Antsiranana, Manambato and Ambila Lemaitso, the river roads from Manangareza to Toamasina in Atsinanana . Sustainability infrastructure in favor of tourism such as drinking water supply in the tourist centers of Antsiranana, Toliara and Anakao have been put in place. The installation of night lighting at the airports of Antsiranana, Tolagnaro, Sainte-Marie and Toliara is to the credit of the PIC. As well as the development and construction of tourist infrastructure in the national parks of Antsiranana, Andasibe and Ranomafana.
A project to support young tourism entrepreneurs is also underway. The rehabilitation of the first Catholic church in Madagascar in Sainte-Marie with its UNESCO heritage listing was supported by the entity. “It should be noted that PIC 3 is the initiative of the government and aims to boost areas with high growth potential. Since its establishment in 2005, it has contributed to the tourism promotion of the Madagascar destination both nationally and internationally through the ITB Berlin, TOP RESA Paris and WTM London trade shows. These support interventions on behalf of the government are proof of the determination of the public authorities to support the development of tourism,” insists Ladislas Adrien Razafindrazaka, national coordinator of the PIC project.
Mirana Ihariliva