The new chairman of the board of directors of the Toliara Regional Tourism Office (ORTU), gives further details on the implementation strategy of the “Big South” project.
Can you explain to us what the “Big South” project is?
After the Covid-19 pandemic, it was felt that people need to travel and see other countries, other destinations. The Toliara Regional Tourism Office (ORTU) has therefore thought of enriching the tourist offers that the South of Madagascar already has. We are then talking about the South and not just the Atsimo-Andrefana region, because the destinations in the South are the baobab alleys, the Isalo national park, the Makay massif, the descent of Tsiribihina, the beaches of Toliara, and the beautiful landscape of Tolagnaro. In a personal approach, I approached the PCAs of the Tourist Offices of Menabe, Isalo and Anôsy to form a set of offers. Hence the birth of “Big South”, a consortium of four regions, Atsimo-Andrefana, Isalo-Ihorombe, Anosy and Menabe.
So is it a set of tourist destinations in the Deep South?
Yes, the consortium of four regions puts forward a comprehensive and differentiated tourism offer both nationally and internationally. We are joining successful African destinations, such as Cape Town in South Africa, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Mauritius in the establishment of new tourist routes.
Africa today presents itself as a breeze in the global tourism world. We are seizing this opportunity and starting from a concept of geographical proximity. When discussions took place with interlocutors from these three countries, ORTU highlighted the biodiversity, the endemicity of the fauna and flora and the beautiful landscapes of southern Madagascar.
How will this offer be offered and in what form can our South attract such customers?
Cape Town-Victoria Falls-Mauritius connections already exist and we are going to include the Big South destination. The aim is to create a fifteen to twenty day itinerary departing from Cape Town via Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Madagascar. We are considering creating a seven to twenty-one day circuit in the South, including Toliara,
Isalo, Morondava and Tolagnaro. Toliara can offer visits to renowned sites such as the Tsimanampetsotsa or Zombitse Vohibasia parks, Tsinjoriake, the Reniala Reserve, the Mikea Forest or the seaside resorts in the North or South. Without forgetting to present the flagship activities such as paragliding, hiking, snorkeling, kitesurfing or scuba diving. Isalo is on offer with its various circuits such as Malaso, Namaza, the rat canyon, the nymph waterfall or the Andranomilitsy cave. The avenue of the baobabs is not to be outdone, the Tsingy of Bemaraha, as well as the beach of Libanona in Anosy, the bay of Lokaro, the national park of Andohaela, etc.
How can tourists reach the Big South Loop?
Tsaradia airline is ready to go hand in hand with us in this project. It confirms the arrival of two planes in September and two others in the first quarter of 2025 and the company is ready to study the frequencies to be put in place as soon as possible for Toliara-Morondava-Tolagnaro. We must ensure a satisfactory occupancy rate of these connections. We are currently negotiating, the ORTU, the governor of the Atsimo-Andrefana region, the senators with the Ministry of Transport, to expand airlines and to grant domestic flights aboard private planes which will cover non-public destinations. served by Madagascar Airlines, such as Isalo, Ankasy and Tsingy. We remain confident with the announcement of the Emirates line in September, Air Mauritius, Ethiopian Airlines which could bring customers to the capital and the tour operators will do what is necessary to bring them to the South. Negotiations on the reopening of the South Africa-Toliara and Toliara-Tolagnaro-Reunion line are also in sight.
When will the first tourists from the Big South arrive?
We are expecting the first customers from “Big South” for the 2025 season. Tour operators will be able to start selling trips after the signing of the ORTU convention and South African friends next July. It is very likely that we will already be able to welcome tourists in the last quarter of this year.
What do tourism operators and professionals think in Atsimo-Andrefana in particular?
It’s all new to them, but ORTU is gradually starting to involve them. We have to be at the level because we are also tackling a high-level market. Our first estimates in terms of reception are between six hundred and seven hundred tourists per week for the four “Big South” regions. We need quality infrastructure and it will even be necessary to increase the number of establishments that can cater to this new niche of customers. The Integrated Growth Pole (PIC) project will support ORTU in implementing the project, particularly on the Communication part and on the renovation of certain tourist sites.
Mirana Ihariliva