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| Olivier Knoerich, German Ambassador during a brief interview with the press on Friday. |
Chocolate tourism. The concept has existed for several years, now cocoa is also among the “tourist products” that help develop the sector. The “Tree to Bar” exceptional cocoa route has just been launched. An initiative, promoted by Ambanja chocolatiers, who had the idea of showing tourists the world of chocolate.
“It is an adventure allowing visitors to delve into the heart of the world of cocoa, while savoring unique experiences,” explains Ambanja Chocolate Factory 2A. With the Kosama cooperative, this initiative was created to add added value to the chocolate, as well as cocoa, value chains. Flagship products in this region of the island, famous for its exceptional beans. Guided tours on site are therefore the preferred means of attracting more visitors and thus boosting the economy of this region. Madagascar cocoa has a well-established reputation. Its reputation for fine cocoa is a valuable asset, not only for operators in the sector, but also and especially for those in the tourism sector.
Village initiatives have even emerged for several years to trace circuits. Several tourist circuits have been set up by the villagers, in collaboration with tour operators. In addition to discovering the plantations and facilities used to prepare cocoa, this circuit also helps to better understand the development of agriculture and farming, based on respect for traditional and family culture. In addition, this type of community tourism promotes warm and spontaneous encounters. Without forgetting the discovery of exceptional landscapes made up of rice fields, cocoa plantations and authentic villages.
Itamara Randriamamonjy