Tourism operators in Madagascar say government-issued travel advisories continue to have a severe impact on tourism even as stability returns following recent political unrest.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office confirmed this week that it no longer advises against all but essential travel to Madagascar after the situation in the country normalised. Protests and isolated incidents of violence in September and early October have subsided with an interim president installed.
However, the damage to tourism momentum has already been felt. According to Martijn Mellaart , Sense of Oceans Chief Business Development Officer, the effect of prolonged travel warnings has been devastating for bookings, particularly from key European markets.