An attack on two tourists in Nosy Be, Madagascar, has had a negative impact on tourism to the country.
Earlier this month, two European tourists and a Madagscar resident died after being tortured and thrown into a bonfire by Madagascar locals who suspected them of mutilating and murdering a young boy, according to The Telegraph.
Njaka Ramandimbiarison, President and Co-Founder of Asisten Travel, said the incident had impacted travel to Madagascar and some tour operators had received cancellations after the event. Jonah Ramampionona, MD Ramartour, described the situation in Madagascar as “complicated”. He said that while Malagasy people were shocked by the incident, he was not optimistic about next year’s season because of the political situation.
Following the incident, a number of travel advisories were issued against travel to the island. While some of these have since been lifted, Ramandimbiarison said some advisories still warned against non-essential travel. He added that the tourism industry needed to reassure its partners. “We should learn from Kenya which, I believe, stood up pretty well after the Westgate Mall attack,” he said.
The Madagascar National Tourism Board described the incident as “isolated” and said it was not a precedent in the country. According to the board, since the event tourists and locals have been able to move about freely. “The situation calmed down in the island of Nosy Be,” the board said in a statement.
Daphné Parisot, from the Madagascar National Tourism Board, said that while there were a few cancellations on Nosy Be, the main island had been unaffected “This is due to the fact that the situation calmed down quickly and that Malagasy authorities have arrested 35 aggressors,” she said.
