Report of the Second Ecotourism Trial Run,Masoala Peninsula ...

The REPORT OF THE SECOND ECOTOURISM TRIAL RUN,
MASOALA PENINSULA, MADAGASCAR is a working document. It
reports on the results of the second ecotourism trial run on the Masoala
Peninsula, Madagascar, but also provides broad guidelines in the appendix
for a future ecotourism masterplan that has to be produced soon in the
interest of integrated conservation and development initiatives in the region.
The authors would therefore very much appreciate comments on the contents
of this report.
Francois J Odendaal
Marcel Kroese
7 July, 1995
Cape Town, South Africa
Printed on Recycled Paper
i

REPORT OF THE SECOND ECOTOURISM TRIAL RUN,
MASOALA PENINSULA, MADAGASCAR
by F J Odendaal 1,2 and M
Kroese 3
Coastal Conservation Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700,
South Africa
Center for the Environment, Connecticut State University, New Haven,
Connecticut CT 06515, USA
3 Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012, South
Africa
ii

CONTENTS
Page No
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................iv
1 SCOPE OF THIS REPORT ...................................................1
2 THE TRIAL RUN CONCEPT ........................................1
3 INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES......................... 2
4 TRIAL RUNS ON THE MASOALA PENINSULA .........3
4.1 GENERAL ........................................................................3
4.2 ROUTE ..........................................................................3
4.3 CORRELATION WITH PLANNED PROGRAM .......................8
5 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED ........................................9
6 FEEDBACK .....................................................................10
6.1 TRIAL RUN STAFF............................................................10
6.2 ECOTOURISTS .............................................................11
6.3 LOCAL INHABITANTS ...................................................11
7 FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ..........................12
8 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER
TRIAL RUNS ......................................................................14
8.1 BOATS ....................................................................14
8.2 GROUP SIZE AND COMPOSITION ........................................15
8.3 AIR MADAGASCAR ...........................................................16
8.4 THE ROUTE...................... ................................................16
8.5 THE WEATHER .............................................................17
9 OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS ............................17
10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................18
11 ENDNOTES .....................................................................18
APPENDIX ONE ..........................................................20

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ecotourism development is an integral part of the establishment of new
national parks and other protected areas. The critical importance of timely
and responsible ecotourism development has been discussed elsewhere. 1,2,3,4
With some notable exceptions many countries have failed in this respect,
with the unfortunate result that their ecotourism resources remain
underutilized and sometimes are destroyed.
Trial runs are useful tools in ecotourism development. They are expeditions
to novel or relatively new destinations in which real tourists participate. Their
aim is to gather a wide array of information that applies to all aspects of
ecotourism development. Trial runs can provide hands-on experience to local
park managers, guides in training, and various other people involved in
virtually all aspects of a budding ecotourism industry. Such people can
become progressively more involved in each subsequent trial run so that in
the end they will be able to take over and run the industry with minimal
involvement from outsiders. Most importantly, trial runs provide an
opportunity for the local inhabitants of a region to learn about and understand
the tourism industry, thus putting them in a position to promote their own
input throughout the development.
The first trial run took place in November 1993 and its was the success of
this trial run that inspired the next one. The second trial run, consisting of
eighteen participants, was an advancement over the first one in several
respects. Only local people were contracted to provide services such as the
preparation of meals, and the moving of luggage and other equipment. Local
people were also contracted to lead ecotourists through the forests at various
locations, and guide ecotourists up the Ampanavoana River in dugouts. A
number of factors accumulatively affected the second ecotourism trial run on
the Masoala Peninsula:
• A last-minute change of schedule by AIR MADAGASCAR shortened the
available time on the Masoala Peninsula itself from a total of twelve days
to nine, making a schedule which did not have much time to spare, even
tighter.
iv

• Both boat engines provided by Project Masoala for the purpose of sea
transport malfunctioned early in the trial run, despite being serviced the
week before, causing serious delays and a certain amount of discomfort to
, ecotourists.
• During the first half of November the Masoala Peninsula suffered
unseasonably bad weather which made traveling with bad engines risky,
causing further inconvenience to ecotourists.
• The group carried too much luggage which is unnecessary on outdoor
holidays in the tropics. A luggage allowance are recommended for future
excursions.
Feedback from participants in both trial runs, as well as the views of many
local inhabitants spoken to by tour staff, generally supported the notion that
the Masoala Peninsula can be developed into a most desirable ecotourism
destination.
The most important recommendation is that an ecotourism development
masterplan be commissioned immediately. The authors have warned
repeatedly 1,2,3,4,8 that ad hoc ecotourism developments, even well-intentioned
ones, will at best underutilize the ecotourism potential of the region. More
likely unguided developments will lead to a gradual destruction of this
valuable resource, thus placing in jeopardy the goals strived for by current
integrated conservation and development initiatives. Appendix One should
not be considered an ecotourism development masterplan. It only provides
rough guidelines for a masterplan which needs to be both all-encompassing
and specific at the same time, incorporating apparently divergent aspects of
ecotourism development such as environmental guidelines, management
suggestions and, finally, a business plan.
v

1 SCOPE OF THIS REPORT
Ecotourism development is a pivotal part of integrated
conservation and development projects, particularly when the
establishment of new national parks is involved. The role of
ecotourism in finding alternative and sustainable resource uses,
and the critical importance of timely and responsible ecotourism
development have been discussed elsewhere 1,2,3,4 and fall outside the
scope of this report. The current report is a brief overview of the
second ecotourism trial run conducted on the Masoala
Peninsula, Madagascar, where a large integrated conservation
and development project is in progress. 5 ' 6 Specific information
that was gathered during the trial run is not presented here but
instead is incorporated into a larger database that will be made
available for the writing of a comprehensive masterplan after
more trial runs have taken place. For the benefit of readers who
have not had access to a broader perspective of ecotourism
development on the Masoala Peninsula, an abridged version of
Chapter Ten of The Strategic Plan for the Management of the
Coastal Zone of the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar released
earlier, is included in this report as Appendix One.
2 THE TRIAL RUN CONCEPT
Trial runs are expeditions to novel or relatively new destinations
in which real tourists participate. The aim is to gather a wide
array of information that applies to all aspects of ecotourism
development. Trial runs have often been promoted 2 ' 3 ' 4 as useful
tools to examine the ecotourism potential of a region.
Additionally they serve to identify problems that can be resolved
progressively in subsequent trial runs. Trial runs can provide
hands-on experience to local park managers, guides in training,
and various other people involved in virtually all aspects of a
budding ecotourism industry. Through a series of trial runs such
people can become progressively more involved in each
1

subsequent trial run so that in the end they will be able to take
over and run the industry with minimal involvement from
outsiders. Most importantly, trial runs provide an opportunity for
the local inhabitants of a region to learn about and understand
the tourism industry, thus putting them in a position to promote
their own input throughout the development.
3 INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES
Interested and affected parties in ecotourism development on the
Masoala Peninsula would include all direct and indirect
participants in Project Masoala, 5 ' 6 as well as various sectors of
the Malagasy government, particularly the Department of Water
and Forestry, the recently formed Ministry for the Environment.
Other interested and affected parties are organizations such as
ANGAP (Association Nationale pour la gestion des Aires
Protegees), and the international community by way of flinders
such as USAID and NGOs such as CARE INTERNATIONAL
(MADAGASCAR), THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, THE
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY, and THE PEREGRINE
FUND.
A contract between CARE INTERNATIONAL (MADAGASCAR) and
ECO-AFRICA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS stipulated that
Dr F Odendaal would organize and run the second ecotourism
trial run on a voluntary basis while Project Masoala would
provide sea transport in the form of a boat and engines. PROJECT
MASOALA would have the opportunity to debrief ecotourists
afterwards and would dispatch a staff member to gather
economic information in the wake of the trial run.
The most important interested and affected parties are, of
course, the people of the Masoala Peninsula themselves, as they
are the ones who stand to gain or lose most by the proper
development of the region's ecotourism potential, or the lack
thereof.

4 TRIAL RUNS ON THE MASOALA PENINSULA
4.1 GENERAL
The first trial run, consisting of five participants, was held in
November 1993. Two of the five ecotourists returned to the
Masoala Peninsula for the second trial run. A third participant is
planning to return in the near future. It was the success of the
first trial run that inspired the second one.
The second trial run, consisting of eighteen participants, was an
advancement over the first one in several respects. Only local
people were contracted to provide services such as preparing
meals, and moving luggage and other equipment. Local people
were also contracted to lead ecotourists through the forests at
various locations, and guide ecotourists up the Ampanavoana
River in dugouts.
4.2 ROUTE
The intended route was based both on the experience of the first
trial run 2 and on the background gained by ECO-AFRICA
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS when working in the region
over the previous two years. An additional scouting trip was
held two weeks in advance of the trip to inform local inhabitants
of the forthcoming arrival of a group of tourists and to finalize
logistical support such as transport, food, accommodation and
guide services. Discussions were held with local entrepreneurs,
hotel owners and members of the relevant fokontany 1 As
usually happens during the running of ecotours in new
destinations, alternative arrangements often had to be made on
the spur of the moment by tour managers and/or tour guides, but
were always explained to the tourists and were generally wellaccepted.
Day 1
The group of 18 tourists and tour guide Brenda Berge (BB) departed on the early flight
from Antananarivo for Sambava. The original plan was to fly to Antalaha but a
changeover from winter to summer flight schedules by AIR MADAGASCAR required that a
3

different route be taken. These changes were not relayed to the tour organizers until
shortly before the group's departure from South Africa at which point flight bookings to
Antalaha were no longer possible. The nearest alternative was Sambava, but the change in
flight schedules would shorten the time on the Masoala Peninsula by three days. The
tourists were notified of this several days before leaving their country of origin.
The Sambava airport has regular flights to the capital, has better facilities than Antalaha,
and is serviced by Boeing 727 jet liners. Furthermore, unlike the Antalaha office, the one
in Sambava has direct contact with the head office in Antananarivo, which provided an
opportunity to confirm the return flight of the tourists from Maroantsetra to Antananarivo.
The tourists arrived early in the morning and were met by the tour leader Dr Francois J
Odendaal (FJO) at Sambava airport. A continental breakfast was served at a tourist hotel
on the beach. Foreign currency was exchanged at banks in Sambava. The group departed
for Antalaha by a local bus hired in advance. Although Sambava was not originally
included in the plan, this change was a positive one and the town is recommended as a
starting point for future trips to the Masoala Peninsula. The road from Sambava to
Antalaha afforded the ecotourists many interesting views and provided them with an
experience that they would not otherwise get on the Peninsula itself. During the journey
stops were made to point out to tourists various unique plants and animals as well as to
give them the opportunity to buy food at a traditional roadside stall.
The group arrived at Antalaha at noon and was served lunch at the Bamboo Restaurant.
Two specially chartered vehicles with canopies on the back had been arranged previously
through G van Schalkwyk to take the tourists to Cape Est. Upon arrival at
Ambohitralanana the low tide delayed the large ferry so that people were transported
across in local canoes. Once on the other side they were transported in a 4x4 vehicle to
George and Magali van Schalkwyk's hotel at Cape Est. After registration, the guests were
shown their quarters, which consisted of six bungalows for twelve people and a large
dormitory that can sleep an additional twelve people. After a three-course meal at dinner,
the group was introduced to resident marine biologist and tour guide, Marcel Kroese
(MK), and Project Masoala marine biologist Jaomanana (J). Glen Thomas (GT), a
filmmaker who had spent two months on the Masoala Peninsula, had also been enlisted as
a staff member. A short talk on various do's and don'ts and the expected itinerary was
given by the tour staff (FJO, BB, MK) after which the group retired for the night.
Day 2
After breakfast the whole group embarked on an early morning diving trip. The tourists
were shown the coral reef and seagrass systems, and the effects of unsound fishing
practices were pointed out to them. Unseasonably bad weather made diving conditions
less than optimal. Several members walked to the nearby village of Ambodirafia to
investigate Malagasy culture and do curio hunting. After lunch the group went for a
second diving trip near the small island at Cap Est. This night was also spent at the hotel in
Cap Est.
Day 3
Some of the ecotourists were taken on an early morning dive near the coral reef of Cap
Est, but continuing bad weather and strong tides had reduced the normally excellent
underwater visibility to only 3 meters. Afterwards it was then decided by tour managers to
proceed to the next stop over, Tanjokantafana, while the weather was reasonable.
Tanjokantafana was selected as the next stopover instead of Ratsianarana as the group
needed to make up the distance lost as a result of the change in Air Madagascar's

schedule. Subsequent to the printing of the brochures Tanjokantafana was discovered to
have better diving areas than Ratsianarana and to contain considerably more coastal forest.
Tanjokantafana also has more space to accommodate tourists. By arrangement two weeks
earlier, improvements to toilet and washing facilities had been made and an area cleared
for tents.
Two boats were used to transport tourists around the peninsula: the Perseverance (8 ton)
was provided by Project Masoala, and an additional vessel, the Marie-Joseph (4,5 ton)
was hired from a local entrepreneur by ECO-AFRICA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS as a
back-up. An inflatable boat was also hired from G van Schalkwyk at Cap Est to transport
small groups of people to more inaccessible diving areas and mangrove swamps, and as a
fast boat in case of emergency. Figure 1 shows different transport modes along the route.
Luggage and the food supply for the entire journey was loaded on the Perseverance. Most
tourists and staff traveled on this larger vessel, with five tourists and one tour guide (MK)
on the smaller vessel.
The Perseverance's main engine malfunctioned at Ambodirafia. A spare engine was
installed and the voyage continued. This engine malfunctioned a little later at Ratsianarana.
While the engine was being repaired by the crew, a doctor participating in the expedition
took the opportunity to examine a child with a palate deformity. The crew managed to
repair the engine, but this proved to be only temporary as it again broke while the boat
was passing the village of Antsiramianana. As the tide was slacking and night approaching,
the tour leader (FJO) decided to stay over at the village after permission was obtained.
The villagers provided cooking facilities, betsa-betsa beer, and a hut for several group
members with the rest sleeping in tents in a clearing behind the hut. These villagers were
compensated for their services.
The tourists aboard the second vessel, Marie-Joseph, reached Tanjokantafana and were
catered for by a local entrepreneur, Ms Marie-Helen, as previously arranged. The tourists
stayed in tents and in a house provided by Ms Marie-Helen. Toilets and showers had been
constructed at the camping site in anticipation of the group's visit.
Day 4
An observer, Jean-Pierre (JP), invited along to facilitate and comment on interactions
between local people and tourists, left Cap Est with the inflatable boat for Tanjokantafana
but the motor malfunctioned at Tanjonskolanana, a site approximately 4 km north of
Tanjokantafana. JP was then escorted to Tanjokantafana by a Project Masoala employee,
Max, who was on vacation at the time.
While the crew of the Perseverance were attempting to repair the broken engines, the
larger group, accompanied by J and BB, walked from Antsiramianana to Tanjokantafana,
a journey of approximately 10 km. The trail crosses several streams, and runs over flat,
even ground with interesting patches of forest along the way. The group reached
Tanjokantafana mid-day. Food was prepared for them and after lunch most of them went
walking on the beach or swimming in the lagoon. During the afternoon, the Perseverance
with FJO and the luggage arrived. Towards evening the weather began to deteriorate and
the wind speed increased to more than thirty knots. That night the group was formally
introduced to JP and to Max, who was hired as a guide during his vacation time. After
their return to South Africa several members of the group made special reference to this
talented young man. Several asked that photographs and notes be forwarded to him while
one group member complained that his English was bad.
5

Day 5
During the night heavy winds broke several trees and the condition of the sea deteriorated
significantly, ruling out travel by sea. This state of affairs posed no immediate problem as
an overland walk had been planned previously to the next scheduled stop-over,
Ampanavoana, approximately 15 km south of Tanjokantafana. The walk is ideal for
ecotourists as the clearly marked path runs through the coastal rain forest over even
ground. The trail had been scouted beforehand by FJO and Mr E Omar, a traveler from
Cape Town who considered this walk an excellent experience to be included in ecotourist
programs. Porters were hired to carry luggage and the group set off accompanied by J,
BB, Max, and Ms Marie-Helen. Some additional diving gear remained on the boats, as the
group would not need it in Ampanavoana. This proved to be unfortunate as the
Perseverance would never rejoin the expedition so that about half the tourists did not have
access to their diving gear until near the end of the marine part of the trip. As it turned out
bad weather made diving inadvisable at all sites after Tanjokantafana, except for Ankoala.
One tourist elected to stay behind as she expressed an interest in village life and preferred
traveling by boat to walking. The rest of the tourists arrived in Ampanavoana late
afternoon and were catered for by Ms Marie-Helen and other villagers. Following a
discussion between FJO and the fokontany president weeks before, the idea was that other
villagers would have the opportunity to learn from Ms Marie-Helen on how to cater for
visitors such as ecotourists. A camping site and local huts were provided by Ms Marie-
Helen and the fokontany of Ampanavoana, as previously arranged.
Day 6
The group at Ampanavoana departed on a previously arranged day trip up the
Ampanavoana river, which had proved very popular with the members of the first trial run.
Local guides and canoes provided by the fokontany took the tourists, J, BB and Max to
fotodrena, a waterfall in the river. Lunch was provided at the waterfall and the members
of the group explored the forest and swam in the river, before returning to Ampanavoana.
The night was again spent in Ampanavoana as the first trial run proved the river outing to
be virtually a full day affair.
Meanwhile, the continuing bad weather and bad sea conditions delayed the departure of
the two boats and the rest of the party from Tanjokantafana.
Day 7
The weather had improved slightly although sea conditions remained less than favorable.
Tour management decided to depart for Ampanavoana. Eight life jackets were transferred
from the Perseverance to the Marie-Joseph. The Marie-Joseph, with the remaining
tourist and MK, departed first as it was the slower boat and would reach Ampanavoana in
the late morning. On its way to the open sea the engine of the Perseverance again
developed problems and the boat turned back in the interest of safety. A message from
tour leader FJO was carried from Tanjokantafana to Ampanavoana advising the rest of the
staff to proceed along the route; however, the weather had deteriorated and low tide
retarded the progress of the boat further. However, Ankarandava was reached by sunset
where Ms Marie Helen again provided food and a camping site for the tourists.
Day 8
The captain of the Marie-Joseph advised a departure at first light to make use of the high
tide. Although conditions were still not satisfactory, the captain of the boat assured the
tour guides that it was safe to resume the journey by sea to Ambodiletra. The group

stopped briefly at Vinanivoa to look around and buy food and curios before resuming the
trip. At Ankazofotsy the tourists, J, BB and Max were put ashore to walk the last
remaining 5 km to Ambodiletra, as planned beforehand, while the boat with the luggage
proceeded on the open sea. This walk, scouted previously by FJO, meanders through a
unique swamp and littoral forests that occur along the Beankoraka river. The walk
involved crossing the wettest parts on walkways made of poles. Food for supper was
bought from the village and the expedition camped at a previously arranged campsite next
to the beach at Ambodiletra. A shower and toilet had been constructed at the campsite by
previous arrangement.
Day 9
The weather had improved overnight and the tour guides decided to proceed directly to
Maroantsetra with a stopover at Nosy Mangabe. Food and water was provided during the
boat trip, but the sudden heat after the unseasonably cool weather caused the drinking
water supply to run out after five hours. Some people wanted to swim in the waters of the
Bay D'Antongil, but because of the high number of sharks in the bay, the tour guides
strongly advised against it. The group stopped at Nosy Mangabe to refill water bottles and
have a look around. J, Max and national park guides on the island took a number of the
tourists on a short trail to look for lemurs and leaf-tailed geckos. An inflatable boat with
FJO, J-P, GT, and the outstanding luggage and diving gear arrived at the island. The
possibility of staying at Nosy Mangabe was discussed but it was decided to leave for
Maroantsetra as the tide was falling, which would make it difficult to enter the harbor the
next day. The night was spent in the Hotel Tropical and its guest house, which had been
arranged in advance.
Day 10
Although the seat reservations had been confirmed in Antananarivo and Sambava, the
tour arrived to find that the AIR MADAGASCAR office in Maroantsetra had not confirmed
the reservations. Lengthy deliberations by tour organizers and Project Masoala staff
followed, and eventually seats were allocated to the tourists and they departed for
Antananarivo.
Ironically, the day the group left the weather changed to the seasonally good weather
normally experienced in November.
4.3 CORRELATION WITH PLANNED PROGRAM
The following table lists the names of planned overnight stops as
presented beforehand to the participants in the expedition, and
the real overnight stops.
PLANNED I REAL OVERNIGHT I VISITS TO PLANNED STOPS
OVERNIGHT STOPS
STOPS
Cap Est __________ Cap Est________________________________________________
Cap Est __________ Cap Est________________________________________________
Ratsianarana *Tanjokantafana & most participants visit Ratsianarana
________________ I Antsiramianana___________ [ _____________________________

*Although Ratsianarana was originally planned as a stopover, it was replaced by
Tanjokantafana as a planned stopover before the arrival of the group for reasons
mentioned above. It is therefore considered to be a planned stopover.
The table above shows that the only planned overnight stop that
was never visited was Cap Masoala as the group had to be in
Maroantsetra three days earlier than planned. Ankarandava
replaced Vinanivao as an overnight stop and Nosy Mangabe
became a stopping over point but not an overnight stop. As it
turned out camping on Nosy Mangabe had become prohibited
by new park planners in the period between the planning of the
trip and the arrival of the group.
5 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
The following main problems accumulatively affected the
second ecotourism trial run on the Masoala Peninsula:
• A last-minute change in schedule by AIR MADAGASCAR
shortened the available time on the Masoala Peninsula itself
from a total of twelve to nine days. Participants in the trial
run were aware of these changes in flight schedules before
their departure from South Africa. These changes made the
trial run schedule around the Peninsula, which did not have
much time to spare, even tighter.
• Both boat engines provided by Project Masoala
malfunctioned early in the trial run, despite being serviced
the week before, as did the engine of the Zodiac hired from
G van Schalkwyk at Cap Est. These malfunctions caused
delays amounting to about three days, mostly around
Tanjokantafana and Ampanavoana, and caused a certain
9

amount of discomfort to ecotourists on the Marie-Joseph
during the latter part of the trial run.
• During the first half of November the Masoala Peninsula
suffered unseasonably bad weather with a cyclone raging
some 600 km to the southeast over the Indian Ocean.
Participants had been made aware beforehand that the
weather and the state of the seas will sometimes dictate when
and how far the group will travel on a particular day. The
bad weather caused a delay at Tanjokantafana and, together
with the malfunctioning engines, put the Perseverance out of
commission for the trial run.
• The group carried too much luggage which is unnecessary on
outdoor holidays in the tropics. Requests to bring less
luggage along need to be put stronger. Tourists need to be
able to handle all their own luggage themselves, as the
loading of luggage consumes time.
6 FEEDBACK
Feedback from participants in both trial runs, as well as the
views of many local inhabitants spoken to by tour staff,
generally supported the notion that the Masoala Peninsula can be
developed into a most desirable ecotourism destination.
6.1 TRIAL RUN STAFF
Trial run staff learned a great deal from the second trial run and
regard this run as a most successful one from the point of view
of identifying pitfalls and developing guidelines for future trial
runs (see section 8). The staff enjoyed interactions with local
inhabitants as well as participants but thought that participants
in future trial runs need to be screened according to certain
guidelines to ensure their own enjoyment and that of the people
they will encounter. These guidelines should take into account
the experience and abilities of participants as well as certain

social sentiments. On one unfortunate occasion one of the tour
participants exhibited racist views that were offensive to several
people including a Malagasy observer who speaks excellent
English. During the first trial run a complaint was received from
an inhabitant of Ampanavoana regarding skimpy clothes worn
by one of the participants during a dinner at which several
important elders were present. The staff thought that a video
about tourists and tourism for consumption by local inhabitants,
and another marketing video for prospective participants in trial
runs, would be very helpful.
6.2 ECOTOURISTS
Most participants were extremely helpful in terms of giving
feedback throughout the expedition to staff who noted down
pertinent points. Ecotourists gave further feedback at the Hotel
Tropical, the Restaurant Filant, and while waiting at the
Maroantsetra landing strip. More feedback was given at a
reunion held in mid-January in Cape Town which was attended
by thirteen participants, as well as BB, FJO, MK, and
Jaomanana who was on a study tour from Madagascar.
By and large the verdict on the trial was a mixed one. A number
of positive letters, cards and phone calls was received. On the
other hand, one participant wrote a letter wanting about 30% of
his money back. This person also wrote an anonymous letter of
complaint to Project Masoala management in Madagascar. This
person later had meetings with three other participants, and the
number of complainants grew to four. Thirteen participants
indicated their desire to be informed about future developments
on the Masoala Peninsula. Several of them want to visit the
Masoala Peninsula again and have indicated their willingness to
be involved in future ecotourism development in the region on a
voluntary basis.
6.3 LOCAL INHABITANTS
Ten days after the end of the trial run the authors traveled back
along the same route, stopping at all the places visited by the
11

ecotourists except Antsiramianana and Ampanavoana. Later the
authors made an unscheduled stop by small aircraft at this
village and had the opportunity to discuss the trial run with the
president of the fokontany and local villagers, including the
youths who took the party upriver in pirogues.
The discussions with these parties were conducted in a
conversational method and no formal data were collected. It is
imperative that a system be devised by which local inhabitants
can give their input. There are a number of techniques available
to this end. The authors nevertheless were given the impression
at all sites that local inhabitants are in favor of, and would like
to become involved in ecotourism developments. A number of
them have already done so on their own initiative (see Appendix
One). Lengthy discussions were held with the presidents of the
Cap Masoala and Ampanavoana fokontany and they once again
conveyed a desire for local inhabitants to be involved in
ecotourism developments. No complaints were received from
any villagers who had contact with the participants in the second
trial run.
7 FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Putting the group together required an enormous amount of hard
work and expenditure beforehand. Administrative services were
allocated specifically for the trial run. Brochures were written
and produced. Advertisements were placed in two outdoor
magazines, one in South Africa 10 and one in the United States. 12
Inquiries were processed and potential clients signed up. When
possible Dr F Odendaal had telephone conversations with
prospective participants. Meetings with those in the Cape Town
area were arranged before Dr F Odendaal's departure for
Madagascar. Clients were recruited as long as six months ahead
of time. Other expenses involved mailing brochures, sending
faxes, and making phone calls. Airline and hotel bookings had
to be made. The average client required seven phone calls before
arrangements were finalized. Over sixty individuals from South

Africa were interested in signing up, and about twenty people
from the United States 9 .
Eighteen South African ecotourists paid a fee of R4990 each,
including airline tickets, from which all direct and indirect costs
had to be covered. Ms B Berge also paid the full price with the
understanding that she would be a sponsored guide for the next
trial run. Certain unexpected costs arose due to a rise in the cost
of living in Madagascar between the two trial runs. The
scheduling changes by AIR MADAGASCAR required the addition
of an extra leg to Perinet Reserve so that participants did not
have to spend four days in Antananarivo. These additional
expenses were covered by the trial run so that expedition
members did not suffer an increase in the tour cost.
The income and expenses in South African Rands (US$1 = 3.6
Rand) from the trial run are listed as follows:

The profits shown by this trial run were small because of three
factors: extra and unforeseen expenses were incurred; the price
of the trial run was very cheap in comparison with other twoweek
excursions to Madagascar; and the indirect costs such as
administartion and advertising were covered by the organizers
themselves and subtracted from the profits. The indirect costs
would normally be covered in whole or part by travel agents,
wholesalers, and other marketing mechanisms. When indirect
costs are carried by marketing agencies, and the trip is offered at
a more realistic price, a profit of at least $ 500 per participant is
quite realistic. Therefore a profit of about $ 5000 can be made
from a group of ten people. There is no doubt that considerable
revenue can be generated through ecotourism on the Peninsula,
particularly when the park and reserves are set up so that they
can provide most services themselves.
8 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER TRIAL RUNS
The following are recommendations that stem from experience
accrued during the second trial run:
8.1 BOATS
Seaworthy boats with reliable engines are essential components
of the hardware needed to run future trial runs on the Masoala
Peninsula. Such boats are very rare indeed, and ECO-AFRICA
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS is. presently corresponding with
several boat owners who are refurbishing their craft and having
new diesel engines installed. It is highly recommended that boats
in the region be given a certificate by an appropriate authority

that will declare them seaworthy and properly equipped to
handle emergencies at sea. Standards for acceptable safety
requirements need to be set as those on the Masoala Peninsula
do not necessarily reflect western standards that are acceptable
to ecotourists. For instance, there are few life jackets available in
Madagascar and then only at exorbitant prices that are out of
reach of the local population. There are many experienced
captains on the Peninsula, such as the captains of the
Perseverance and the Marie-Joseph, and it is recommended that
captains and mates be rated as well.
8.2 GROUP SIZE AND COMPOSITION
The size of any particular group should be restricted to ten
ecotourists and a staffxlient ratio of 1:5 is recommended,
particularly if diving is involved. A smaller group is easier to
handle in the case of emergencies and can be moved around the
Peninsula with greater ease. Unfortunately small group size will
make the inclusion of more than one craft, or different types of
craft, expensive. The large group size on the second trial run
would hardly have been a problem if the engines of the
Perseverance and the Zodiac had not failed. The intention had
been all along to have enough craft to split the group into
subgroups of like interests. The idea behind the inflatable boat
was to take smaller groups into the mangroves at
Ambohimahery as well as facilitate diving in the larger and
deeper lagoons at Tanjona.
Group size is also important from other points of view. Local
facilities on the Masoala Peninsula and in most parts of
Madagascar generally are not designed to handle large groups.
Local resources can easily be drained, but with advance warning
this need not be a problem as many local inhabitants would
welcome the opportunity to produce food and other resources
for a small but steady flow of ecotourists. The problem of
insufficient facilities can be overcome by proper planning, such
as at Cap Est and Tanjokantafana, where facilities were enlarged
sufficiently beforehand to accommodate the group.

It is recommended that the tour leader interview all prospective
participants personally, or at least telephonically, and use a set of
guidelines to determine their suitability for participation. By and
large, the Masoala Peninsula is not a difficult or unsafe area to
visit. Local people have remained rather unaffected by certain
negative outside forces such as racism and overt commercialism.
Participants in trial runs therefore need to be sympathetic to
certain guidelines such as to not buy shells or wild animal
products, and to treat local inhabitants with the greatest respect
at all times.
8.3 AIR MADAGASCAR
The airline is experiencing growing pains that are typical of
airlines in many developing countries and cannot be expected to
change overnight. However, pressure should be brought to bear
on the airline to improve communications between head office
and outlying air fields such as the one in Maroantsetra. The
airline needs to be made aware of its pivotal role in the tourist
industry. To this end ECO-AFRICA ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSULTANTS has already had useful discussions with an airline
official at a very high level. Tariff structures should be
comparable to other countries with developing ecotourism
industries. This will certainly increase passenger flow to the
more outlying areas where most protected areas and reserves are
situated.
8.4 THE ROUTE
Proposed trips around the Peninsula should allow for at least
twelve days, as originally planned but not afforded in the second
trial run. However, programs that require an absence of longer
than two weeks from the home country require a slightly
different marketing strategy aimed at a somewhat different
target audience. Several alternatives exist to the route around the
coast. Since the second trial run took place, several parks and

sanctuaries have been proposed and are in the process of being
officially declared. ' These areas can now become focus points
for future trips. Trips around the entire coast no longer need to
be the only attractive option.
8.5 THE WEATHER
The weather on the Masoala Peninsula is generally reasonable
from September to April, although long periods of bad weather
can occur during any of these months. November is probably the
safest. Any ecotourism operator wanting to extend visits beyond
the village of Ambanizana on the west coast or Cap Est on the
east coast needs to know the Peninsula very well in terms of safe
mooring spots and overland routes in case of bad weather.
9 OVERALL RECOMMENDATION
The single most important recommendation is that an
ecotourism development masterplan be commissioned
immediately. The authors have warned repeatedly 1,2,3,4,8 that ad
hoc ecotourism developments, even well-intentioned ones, will
at best underutilize the ecotourism potential of the region. More
likely they will lead to a gradual destruction of this valuable
resource and place in jeopardy the goals strived for by the
present integrated conservation and development initiatives. The
chapter on the strategic planning for ecotourism development in
an earlier report, 4 abridged in the current report as Appendix
One, should not be considered an ecotourism development
masterplan. It only provides rough guidelines for such an
masterplan which needs to be both all-encompassing and
specific at the same time, incorporating apparently divergent
aspects of ecotourism development such as environmental
guidelines, management suggestions and, finally, a business
plan.

10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank the people of the Masoala
Peninsula for their enthusiasm and support before, during and
after the second ecotourism trial run. There simply are too many
to mention. A number of officials in Project Masoala and
collaborative organizations were particularly supportive during
various stages of the ecotourism trial runs. They include
(alphabetically): Herve Delsol, Jean-Pierre, Jaomanana, Philip
Guillery, Max, and John Veerkamp. George and Magali van
Schalkwyk and Marie-Helen did their best to make life as
comfortable and enjoyable as possible for participants in the trial
run.
11 ENDNOTES
1 Odendaal FJ. 1993. Preliminary report on marine conservation and exploitation
of marine resources on the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar. Consultation Report
to CARE INTERNATIONAL (MADAGASCAR). 68 pp.
2 Odendaal FJ. 1993. Preliminary report on Ecotourism on the Masoala Peninsula,
Madagascar. Consultation Report to CARE INTERNATIONAL
(MADAGASCAR). 12 pp.
3 Odendaal FJ, Jaomanana, Kroese M. 1995. The delimitation of marine reserves
on the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar. Consultation Report for CARE
INTERNATIONAL (MADAGASCAR). 92 pp.
4 Odendaal FJ, Kroese M, Jaomanana. 1995. The strategic plan for the
management of the coastal zone of the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar.
Consultation Report for CARE INTERNATIONAL (MADAGASCAR). 226 pp.
5 Masoala Integrated Conservation and Development Project. With various
appendices. CARE INTERNATIONAL (MADAGASCAR), THE NEW YORK
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY/THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY.
77 pp.
6 Proposition des Limites du Parc National Masoala. CARE INTERNATIONAL
(MADAGASCAR), THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY/THE
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY. 79 pp.
7 Fokontany are traditional leadership structures consisting of a president and
elders. These structures are still very strong on the Masoala Peninsula although
western structures are replacing them in the larger towns.
8 Dr F Odendaal has promoted the importance of ecotourism development in a
number of meetings with aid organizations, USAID staff, ANGAP and certain

government officials between December 1992 and January 1995.
9 As a result of the popularity of the excursion many people had to be turned away.
Eco-Africa Environmental Consultants is busy compiling a database of people
interested in visiting the Masoala Peninsula.
10 Advertisements were placed over a six-month period in Getaway Magazine in
South Africa, and one advertisement was placed in The Citizen newspaper.
11 Local expenses included the hire of boats, provisions for the journey around the
Peninsula, porters, runners, guides, various site fees and donations to the
fokontany.
12 Four advertisements were placed in Outside Magazine. Marketing in the United
States involved the setting up of a temporary administrative structure inside the
offices of Ocean Cruises, the installation of a phone line for the purposes of
handling inquiries, and the purchase of an answering machine. Since the trial run
Eco-Africa Environmental Consultants have opened a permanent office in the
USA to market trial runs.
13 Brenda Berge came on the first trial run. She agreed to be a co-organizer whose
duties included a variety of pre-trip activities. She also accompanied team
members on their journey from South Africa, did bookkeeping inside
Madagascar, and other tasks. In exchange for her work she stayed on another
three weeks on the Masoala Peninsula at no additional cost.
14 Marcel Kroese was contracted as resident marine biologist and expedition guide
in exchange for a plane ticket from Johannesburg.
15 Heather Kent was hired to take care of all administrative duties related to the trial
run over a period of almost ten months, including the processing of inquiries and
applications.
16 The profit is being spent on conservation and development initiatives on the
Peninsula, such as equipping a woman's cooperative with materials to make
handicrafts, and providing medical care to a girl with a severe palate deformity.

APPENDIX ONE
CHAPTER 10 (ABRIDGED) OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN
FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COASTAL ZONE OF
THEMASOALA PENINSULA, MADAGASCAR, 226 PR
10.1 INTRODUCTION 21
10.1.1 THE MASOALA PENINSULA AS AN ECOTOURISM DESTINATION 21
10.1.2 THE RELATIVE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ECOTOURISM 22
10.2 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 22
10.2.1 CURRENT STATUS 22
10.3 Ecotourism Trial Runs 24
10.3.1 THE NEED FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS 24
10.4 TOURISM RESOURCES, AND TOURISM RESOURCE ZONES 25
10.4.1 SEASONALITY, GATEWAYS, ACCESS ROUTES, AND TRANSPORTATION 28
10.4.2 PROJECTIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY 31
10.5 GENERAL MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 32
10.6 SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND PROBLEMS 33
10.6.1 LACK OF VISION 33
10.6.2 LACK OF REGULATIONS 34
10.6.3 LACK OF MONITORING 34
10.6.4 LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 35
10.7 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT 37
10.7. l AN ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT MASTERPLAN 37
10.7.2 IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY OF TOURISM RESOURCES 37
10.7.3 TOURISM RESOURCE ZONES AND MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION 42
10.7.4 TOURISM AUTHORITY 42
10.7.5 AREA-SPECIFIC ACTIONS 43
10.7.6 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 43
10.7.7 PRIVATE OPERATORS 44
10.7.8 THE PARK SYSTEM AS AN OPERATOR 45
10.7.9 COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE PARK AND OUTSIDE INTERESTS 46
10.7.10 LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 47
10.7.11 THE ROLE OF TRIAL RUNS 48
10.7.12 DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL NATURE TOURISM 50
10.8 ENDNOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 51

10.1 INTRODUCTION
10.1.1 THE MASOALA PENINSULA AS AN ECOTOURISM DESTINATION The
Masoala Peninsula is one of few areas in Madagascar where a
considerable amount of pristine environment remains. There are a variety of
coral reefs and other coastal zone systems making this region very special, as
well as pristine tropical rainforest. Therefore the Masoala Peninsula is a very
valuable and important national asset of the Republic of Madagascar.
Sections of the marine as well as terrestrial environments in Masoala are
currently being delimited for reserves. The proposed terrestrial National Park
and the system of marine reserves flanked by other protected areas, will only
succeed if the local population accrues some benefit from their
establishment. 1,2 The key to benefits for the local population lies in the
development of ecotourism. Ecotourism, when properly planned, will infuse
money into a variety of sectors of the local economy, provide employment
and training to inhabitants of the region 3 and provide funds for the
management of the various protected areas. 4 ' 5 There are other advantages to
responsible ecotourism development. 6,7 In various parts of the world
ecotourists and operators form important lobby groups that have enough
strength to influence government decisions at high levels. 8 ' 9 In addition, the
local inhabitants often become involved in ecotourism operations, and often
play a watchdog role in the conservation of an area. 10
If properly developed, the Masoala Peninsula will become a highly successful
ecotourism destination. The region has numerous attractions that will be of
interest to the ever-growing ecotourism industry. Unfortunately no long-term
planning exists for the region, in spite of urgent calls for a cohesive
strategy. 10,11 This lack of planning could lead to the degradation of
resources, 12,13,14 alienation of the local people, 13 and the eventual demise of
21

Heritage sites: 12 ECONOMIC I % RELATIVE
the industry. 616 Without proper advance planning the positive influence that
ecotourism would have on the region will not be realized. The region could
fall prey to the many negative sides of irresponsible development. 4,17,18
10.1.2 THE RELATIVE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ECOTOURISM Ecotourism can
potentially be the most important source of income for local
populations as is revealed inthe following survey results of seventy World
ACTIVITY
EARNINGS
Hunting 16
Industry 21
Fishing 29
Trade 29
Stock Farming 33
Agriculture 51
Tourism 53
Tourism also boosts virtually all other sectors of society as well, such as food
production and craft markets aimed at ecotourists.
10.2 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
10.2.1 CURRENT STATUS
Tourism, especially commercial tourism, is a relatively new phenomenon on
the Masoala Peninsula. There are no quantitative estimates available 19 , but
until a few years ago few outsiders had ventured beyond the two main towns
of Antalaha and Maroantsetra, and the island of Nosy Mangabe. Recently,
however, several operators have made appearances in the more remote areas
of the region. For instance, Ambanizana is listed by name in a current
22

advertisement placed by Madagascar Adventures in Getaway Magazine, a
South African publication with a readership of almost 300,000 outdoor
enthusiasts. Although small groups are infrequently seen outside the main
centers, the route going all the way around the Peninsula is becoming
increasingly popular. Although no information has been collected about such
groups, some of them may in fact be commercially organized.
There is no doubt that interest in the coastal route is rising. Local inhabitants
reported that in October 1994 a group of about twenty tourists landed at
Ambodiletra. There currently exists only one unofficial monitoring point
along the coastal route: At Aime's hotel at Cap Masoala, Dr F Odendaal
installed a visitor's book in which the hotel's proprietor encourages visitors to
write down their names. Six tourists 20 passed through this point in 1992, but
three years later this number has risen five-fold in 1995, excluding the
ecotourists on the trial run. Most visitors to Cap Masoala came via
Maroantsetra or Antalaha, but several of them had crossed the Baie
d'Antongil from Mananara and were on their way to Antalaha or Sambava.
Presently the centers of ecotourism activity appear to be:
• The general surroundings of Maroantsetra, including Nosy Mangabe and
Ambanizana, and the Maroantsetra-Antalaha walking trail.
• The general surroundings of Antalaha with visits as far south as Cap Est.
• The coastal route between Antalaha and Maroantsetra: Dr F Odendaal has
been approached by local business people in Antalaha for information on
diving sites and beaches that are suitable for tourism. He has also been
approached by business people from Ile St Marie who are interested in
operating along certain sections of the coastal route.
• In addition, new routes that are opening up, such as an overland route
between Ambohitralanana and Maroantsetra promoted by G van
Schalkwyk at the hotel at Cap Est.

10.3 ECOTOURISM TRIAL RUNS
Dr F Odendaal strongly promoted 10,11 the use of ecotourism trial runs as a tool
for testing the viability of ecotourism development in the region. The first trial
run, consisting of five participants, was run in November 1993. Two of the
original participants returned for the second time, and a third participant is
planning to join the next trial run. It was the success of the first trial run that
inspired the second one. It is the second trial run, offered in November 1994,
that is described in the current report.
10.3.1 THE NEED FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
ANALYSIS
Poor ecotourism development has many serious ramifications that can impact
negatively on the environment and the social fibber of indigenous
communities. An urgent masterplan needs to designed specifically for the
Masoala Peninsula as development is proceeding in an uncontrolled fashion,
as shown by the unregulated construction of several hotels with unsuitable
sitings. Many of the problems experienced elsewhere can be avoided by the
proper steering of development. For example, a survey 17 of seventy World
Heritage sites revealed the following tourism related problems as experienced
by the local communities:

The management plan for ecotourism needs to take into account these types of
problems in order that actions be taken to avoid or minimize them.
10.4 TOURISM RESOURCES, AND TOURISM RESOURCE ZONES
Tourism resources are defined as the resources available to visitors of a
particular region. Tourism resource zones can be broadly categorized for a
given region, based on the existing demand for and supply of these resources
for tourism purposes. 29 The zoning is based on environmental considerations,
management objectives, existing facilities 30 and the numbers of local
inhabitants that will benefit from ecotourism development. Current tourism
resources in the region include the following:
• Coral Reefs and Lagoons
The region contains a large variety of coral reefs, lagoons, and other areas
where coral colonies grow in profusion. Some of these sites are
comparable to the best in the world in terms of ecotourism.
• Littoral and Other Forests
Several beautiful littoral forests are ideal for visits lasting a day or less:
the fokontany forest at Ambavazaha, the littoral forests recommended for
inclusion in the Tanjona Marine Reserve, the swampy forests between
Ambodiletra and the Beankoraka river recommended for inclusion into
the Masoala Marine Reserve, forest fragments near Vinanivao, the forests
inland from Ratsianarana, and the fragments of forest near Cap Est.
• Islands and Pristine Beaches
A number of islands and beaches exist that have excellent ecotourism
potential, the beaches on the west side of the Peninsula, islands off the tip
and near Vinanivao, Nosy Fenala near Ratsianarana, opposite Cap Est,
r\ c

Nosy Ndrendra in the Tampolo Marine Reserve, and Nosy Nanto, Nosy
Nepato and Nosy Behentona in the Masoala Marine Reserve.
• Sites of Historical and Cultural Interest
Since visitors find Malagasy culture and history of interest access to sites
such as Anjagnaharibe near Ambodiletra, three light houses, several burial
grounds, and a variety of holy sites can be arranged.
• Rivers, Estuaries and Mangroves
Rivers, estuaries and mangroves open up a range of potential outdoor
activities to ecotourists, such as cruises by pirogue or inflatable boats, birdwatching,
and educational walks. All the large rivers along the eastern
shores, including the Andranotsimanga, Anaovandrano, Ampanio,
Fampotakely, Ratsianarana and Onive rivers, are suitable for journeys
lasting a day or longer. The journey up the Ampanavoana to the Fotodrena
rapids proved most popular with participants on both ecotourism trial runs.
This journey can be extended as far inland as Arantavato where the
fokontany has shown Dr F Odendaal numerous points of interest attractive
to outsiders, such as swimming holes, rapids, islands, and the hill of
Vohibe that towers over the countryside. The Ambohimahery river offers a
half-day trip that goes through dense mangrove stands. The west side has
fewer large rivers, although the Ambanizana and Fampotabe rivers are
suitable for longer journeys, the Sahaleno, Marofototra and Antalavia
rivers inside the Tampolo Marine Reserve are suitable for lovely half-day
journeys and the Marofototra river can be followed up by kayak through
the lowland forest to a gorge in the sides of the mountain. Five hours walk
from Ambodiforaha is a waterfall that plunges hundreds of meters down
the mountainside. The Antalavia river has an estuary of clear water which
is suitable for swimming and bird-watching.

• Villages and Other Settlements
A number of villages and settlements on the Peninsula welcome
outsiders. Participants in both trial runs were received warmly in
Ampanavoana and Vinanivao, as well as in smaller settlements such as
Antsiramiana, Ratsianarana, Ambodiletra and Cap Masoala.
• Existing and Potential Infrastructure
Contrary to popular belief among outsiders, some infrastructure does
exist on the Masoala Peninsula. Local boats, available for rent, are based
at Ifaho, Maroantsetra, Antalaha, Cap Masoala, Vinanivao, Ratsianarana,
Ambodirafia, and Cap Est, and there are a number of highly experienced
boat captains and mates on the Peninsula.
• Tourism Accommodation
A wide variety of accommodation suitable for ecotourists exists
throughout the Peninsula, from a modern hotel at Cap Est, to traditional
ones in Antalaha, Maroantsetra and Ambanizana, a small bush hotel at
Cap Masoala, a local style hotel at Ambodirafia and bungalows at
Vinanivao and Ifaho. Great potential exists for hybrids between regular
hotels and guest houses, such as the Hotel Tropical in Maroantsetra.
Both trial runs made extensive use of accommodations owned by
communities, for which there is great growth potential. This type of
accommodation includes already existing fokontany guest houses and
privately owned houses that are sporadically made available to visitors
free of charge or for a small fee. Local people are eager to be contracted
to prepare food and other services. Community tourism accommodation
adds a cultural and social dimension to the overall experience that is
much sought after by ecotourists.

10.4.1 SEASONALITY, GATEWAYS, ACCESS ROUTES, AND TRANSPORTATION
The Masoala Peninsula is a high rainfall zone with an annual precipitation of
4 meters or more in certain parts. The best months for visiting the region are
from September to December, with October and November probably being
the most suitable period. However, excellent weather for as long as two weeks
at a time can be had until early May. From late May to August the weather is
frequently poor with extended periods of little or no sunshine. There are three
main gateways to the Masoala Peninsula:

THE MAROANTSETRA GATEWAY
Maroantsetra is regularly serviced by Air Madagascar with small to mediumscale
aircraft. All Air Madagascar business is handled on behalf of the airline
by an agency in this town. Communication between the agency and the airline
offices in Antalaha and Sambava, dependent on messages carried by arriving
and departing airline staff, is inadequate. Often airplanes are overbooked and
passengers are stranded in town for several days. However, Maroantsetra is an
ideal gateway to the west side of the Peninsula which can be reached by
several boats that are based in the town. Prices are not regulated and can
sometimes be excessive for voyages even as near as Nosy Mangabe.
THE ANTALAHA GATEWAY
Antalaha is also regularly serviced by Air Madagascar with small to mediumscale
aircraft and does have a proper airline office which facilitates travel
arrangements. A second major advantage of Antalaha as a gateway is its
proximity (80 km) by road to Sambava. This town is well-connected to other
parts of the country by Air Madagascar by large Boeing aircraft that can
operate in poorer weather than the smaller craft. While Antalaha is also
connected by road to Cap Est, but this road is in such poor condition that the
40 km journey usually takes four hours. Furthermore, few people in Antalaha
are willing to take travelers to Cap Est by car, and those that are tend to ask
exorbitant prices. Another major problem with this gateway is that access to
the west side of the Peninsula involves going around the tip of the Peninsula.
Large distances are involved and part of the voyage is on the open sea so that
good weather and sound craft are essential.
THE MANANARA / ILE ST MARIE GATEWAY
Mananara across the Baie d'Antongil from the Peninsula is a third potential
gateway to the region, utilization of which would require traveling across the
bay to Cap Est. This gateway has the potential to become very important if it

ecomes connected to tourism activities on Ile St Marie, such as whale
watching, that can be extended into the Baie d' Antongil itself. Mananara is
an attractive town with hotel accommodation and is serviced regularly by
small aircraft.
The following five potential ecotourism routes are based on the above
gateways:
• From Maroantsetra to Nosy Mangabe continuing to the terrestrial National
Park at Ambanizana, then southward to Tampolo Marine Reserve and
Masoala Marine Reserve, and finally back to Maroantsetra.
• From Maroantsetra to Nosy Mangabe continuing to the terrestrial National
Park at Ambanizana, then southward to Tampolo Marine Reserve and
Masoala Marine Reserve, and finally proceeding to Tanjona Marine
Reserve, Cap Est, and Antalaha.
• Ile St Marie to Mananara, then crossing the Baie d'Antongil to Cap
Masoala and continuing northwards to Tampolo Marine Reserve and the
terrestrial National Park, crossing to Nosy Mangabe and finally ending at
Maroantsetra.
• Ile St Marie to Mananara, then crossing the Baie d'Antongil to Masoala
Marine Reserve and continuing to Tanjona Marine Reserve, Cap Est, and
Antalaha.
• Antalaha to Cap Est, then proceeding to Tanjona Marine Reserve and
Masoala Marine Reserve and back to Cap Est, or continuing on to Nosy
Mangabe and Maroantsetra.

Various permutations of the above routes exist, some of which may include
long or short excursions into the interior and/or walks across the Peninsula.
These are currently being compiled by Eco-Africa Environmental Consultants.
Different modes of transport can be used to further enhance the experience,
including travel by boat, pirogue, kayaks, mountain bicycles, or foot. The Baie
d' Antongil is excellent for traveling by sea kayak, particularly as access to
many of the small bays and beaches is difficult by motorized craft. Trails and
derelict roads suitable for mountain biking run all the way from Antalaha to
Cap Masoala. Walking trials run all the way along the west side of the
Peninsula. This diversity of routes and potential modes of transport provide
the groundwork lattice that can be used for the design of innovative packages.
10.4.2 PROJECTIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY
In the last few years, there has been a noticeable rise in numbers of visitors to
Madagascar in general, and the Masoala Peninsula in particular, especially by
South Africans. Throughout southern Africa ecotourism is rising sharply; it is
entirely possible that the countries comprising this region can be linked in
terms of marketing. Eco-Africa Expeditions (a division of Eco-Africa
Environmental Consultants used for the marketing and running of trial runs)
regularly receive inquiries from overseas visitors who are interested in
extending a South African visit to Madagascar. Whilst travel books for many
years virtually ignored the Masoala Peninsula, except perhaps for a fleeting
mention of Nosy Mangabe and Maroantsetra, later editions as well as new
books promote the region to the same extent as some other popular
destinations in Madagascar. The March 1995 issue of BBC Wildlife lists the
newly delimited Masoala Peninsula terrestrial park. The establishment of a
National Park and marine reserve system would heighten the profile of the
region and the number of annual visitors should continue to increase
exponentially.

10.5 GENERAL MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goals of the management of ecotourism development must be
conceptually clear, simple, and sufficiently practical for implementation. The
overall goal of any strategic management plan should be to provide
guidelines for the management of tourism as an environmentally and socially
sustainable industry. The objectives should be to:
• minimize the negative impacts of ecotourism development on coastal
ecosystems;
• aid the terrestrial National Park, marine reserve system and other
protected areas to become financially self-sufficient;
• preserve areas of outstanding natural beauty as well as sensitive coastal,
marine or estuarine habitats that are not included in protected areas;
• guide current and future development pressures so as to lessen their
impacts in any particular area(s);
• ensure that all development proposals are evaluated so that they do not
adversely affect the environment;
• minimize negative influences and promote positive influences on the
social and cultural fabric of local communities in the region.

10.6 SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND PROBLEMS
10.6.1 LACK OF VISION
The biggest problem facing ecotourism development is the lack of vision by
virtually all involved. Local inhabitants understandably have unclear ideas
what tourism is about or what it holds for them. Those organizations and
people involved in integrated conservation and development initiatives have
thus far adopted a wait-and-see attitude towards ecotourism development.
This is to some extent understandable as the development of ecotourism in a
region like the Masoala Peninsula is a daunting concept to people who are not
familiar with the process. However, to not take the opportunity to steer the
industry at an early stage would be irresponsible. Steering a fledgling industry
is immeasurably easier than trying to mold it at a later stage. Needless to say it
will not be possible to plot an appropriate course of development without a
clear idea of where the industry should be heading.
Many local businessmen have already considered ecotourism as a potential
source of income. Several are building cottages and hotels, even at localities
as remote as Ambanizana, Vinanivao and Ifaho. The integrated conservation
and development community urgently needs to take up the leadership role in
ecotourism development. It is imperative that a workshop of interested and
affected parties be organized and held as soon as possible to consider and
implement aims and guidelines for development. A responsible ecotourism
industry does not evolve spontaneously or appear overnight, but takes years to
develop. Further delays will increase the risk of losing a rare opportunity to
get in at the ground level, so that the benefits from ecotourism can be
maximized for the proposed National Park, the marine reserve system, and
especially the local community.

10.6.2 LACK OF REGULATIONS
Very few regulations, if any, exist to control what is and is not allowed on the
Peninsula, even in terms of development. This is apparently true even for
major developments such as hotel construction. For example, a hotel was
recently constructed at Ambanizana inside the thin corridor that lies between
two large sections of the terrestrial National Park. The building of this hotel
was uncontrolled in terms of siting or materials that were used. Developments
such as this one obviously can be very difficult and expensive to undo or curb
at a later stage. Regulations are not intended to make life difficult for
developers but rather safeguard natural resources for all the parties involved
in, or are otherwise affected, by development.
To a large extent regulations will depend on the aims of development and the
vision that all involved parties hold for the region. There will need to be a set
of rules and regulations for developers not only inside the protected areas but
everywhere on the Masoala Peninsula. Until these rules are established, the
region will remain a free-for-all target for entrepreneurs from near and far. As
has been experienced in other developing nations, most developers will
pursue their goals without regard for the local inhabitants or the conservation
of the area. It should be borne in mind that the key does not lie as much in the
enforcement of regulations as the proper planning beforehand of all types of
coastal zone development. 33
10.6.3 LACK OF MONITORING
Information on the numbers and flow of tourists is an essential component of
planning. There are various techniques that will be helpful in monitoring
different aspects of ecotourism development. 34,35 Without the proper
implementation of these techniques an assessment of the impact of tourism
development cannot be made, and the balancing of economic and social
benefits and environmental Costs will not be achieved. A comprehensive

monitoring system of tourism activity in the region needs to be put in place as
soon as possible. Such a system need not be costly nor complicated. A key
principle of the assessment exercise will be the need to solicit and incorporate
early and continuous public and local involvement in the impact assessment
process. 15
There are many advantages to local participation 15,36,37,38 in a project, and these
need to be brought to the attention of project managers at all levels. Local
people are more familiar with their environment than outsiders and will be
able to detect changes more quickly. Furthermore, there has often been
inadequate consideration of the carrying capacity of local communities to
accommodate the development of tourism. 15 International donor agencies also
should assume a more assertive role in promoting or encouraging
comprehensive assessments of project impacts during sectoral and regional
planning stages when considering funding requests. 15
It is recommended that:
• A public participation program in monitoring the effect of tourism be
developed;
• A environmental and social assessment team be put together to assess the
impact of tourism;
• Information be reviewed regularly so it can be duly incorporated into
strategic planning at an early stage.
10.6.4 LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The role of the different legal and institutional structures in the budding
ecotourism industry is unclear. Roles, responsibilities, and the relationship
35

etween role players in ecotourism development need to be defined or a
climate may evolve that will foster undesirable phenomena such as bribery
and other forms of corruption. The following organizations may all play a
potential role in ecotourism development, although this is not an exhaustive
list:
• Local government structures may play a role in issuing permission for
conducting tourism operations, granting permits for the construction of
hotels and other facilities, and inspecting such facilities sporadically;
• Traditional structures such as the fokontany can undoubtedly play an
important role in organizing services, particularly away from main centers,
or by regulating services provided by local people;
• The Malagasy Police (Gendarmes) are potential role players in regulating
tourism, dealing with emergencies, and providing recourse to law
enforcement when necessary;
• Fisher associations are potential service providers in the form of
knowledgeable guides or boat owners;
• Local business communities or organizations are obvious catalysts in
ecotourism development;
• Various government department departments such as DEF, agencies such
as ANGAP, and the large collection of NGOs involved in integrated
development and conservation initiatives are obvious role players, but the
relationships and power balances between them are sometimes not clear
should be addressed.
36

10.7 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Regions where ecotourism was planned and managed from the start are more
likely to develop into socially and ecologically sustainable destinations than
those regions where development took place before planning. Therefore the
low level of ecotourism development that currently exists on the Masoala
Peninsula is an advantage.
10.7.1 AN ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT MASTERPLAN
An ecotourism development masterplan needs to be drawn up as soon as
possible, incorporating a management component for the reserves as well as a
component for the area outside reserves. It needs to include a business plan
for starting up a responsible ecotourism industry, but must also address
marine issues, such as watching whales, other marine mammals and reptiles.
It is recommended that Project Masoala appoint one or several technical
officers who will specifically be concerned with ecotourism development.
These officers will need to work with a knowledgeable consultant appointed
by Project Masoala to construct a masterplan that will incorporate all the
aspects of ecotourism development mentioned in the current report. It is
strongly recommended that the ecotourism development officer(s) be
accompanied by the consultant on an extensive tour to comparable ecotourism
destinations elsewhere, such as Northern Natal in South Africa, Costa Rica,
and Mozambique, before the masterplan is finalized.
10.7.2 IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY OF TOURISM RESOURCES
Much can be done to make the current ecotourism resources more accessible
to visitors:
37

• Coral Reefs and Lagoons
Requests for information on diving sites have been received from two
local business people as well as one overseas operator. Eco-Africa
Environmental Consultants is able to put together a map of such sites of
interest with their viewing potential, but for the sake of the survival of
these unique biological features such a map will be released only when
proper mechanisms of protection and regulation are firmly in place. The
masterplan needs to include rules and regulations regarding ecotourists
that come on their own initiative as well as regulations to which operators
need to adhere to in order to minimize damage to the sensitive reefs by
boat anchors and effluent from engines. An access route to the totally
protected part of the Cap Masoala Marine Reserve needs to planned which
may involve transport by local pirogues. Therefore, local pirogue owners
need to be educated as to how they can minimize damage when taking
tourists there.
• Littoral and Other Forests
Access to littoral and other forests can be improved by making maps
available of existing trails. Great care should be taken in making new
paths, and such developments must be guided strictly by a plan approved
by the Coastal Zone Management Authority. Access can further be
improved by making guides and porters available as occurred during the
second ecotourism trial run. Management units can play a role in
organizing and regulating guides and porters.
• Islands and Pristine Beaches
Islands are important resources that need stringent regulation for their use.
They have great potential as camping sites, preferably making use of
temporary structures brought in from elsewhere, or in the case of Nosy
Behentona as a site for a basic hotel run by the Masoala Marine Park. It is
38

ecommended that a special action management plan be drawn up for each
island where development will take place, and that no development be
allowed on any island without a management plan. No development
should be allowed near beaches without a proposal that will be properly
evaluated to assess the impact of the proposed development.
• Sites of Historical and Cultural Interest
A number of points of interest exist such as Anjagnaharibe near
Ambodiletra, three light houses, and various holy sites. The utmost care
needs to be taken if cultural sites are made accessible to ecotourists. It is
also recommended that these cultural and historical artifacts, relics and
locations be identified, restored and promoted. Oral traditions should be
recorded and presented in interpretive exhibits in locations like hotels. Any
development should be carefully managed to minimize its impact on
historical and cultural points of interest.
• Rivers, Estuaries and Mangroves
Rivers, estuaries and mangroves are fragile environments and any
improved access to them needs to follow strict guidelines outlined in a
management plan. Most of the large rivers are suitable for low level
development such as constructing temporary shelters and making available
facilities for refuse disposal. No mangrove forests should be converted for
tourist development (buildings with a buffer area of less than 400 m from
the mangroves can still affect the mangrove environment through changes
in drainage patters, soil erosion and pollution run-off), and any access to
mangroves for ecotourists should be carefully planned.
39

• Villages and Other Settlements
It is recommended that the ecotourism development officer(s) and
consultant visit these villages to obtain the views of villagers toward
ecotourists and ecotourist development. There are standard time proven
checklists and questionnaires available that can be modified for the
Masoala Peninsula. An inventory of villages and the facilities in them that
pertain to ecotourism development needs to be made. For instance, Dr F
Odendaal has had extensive discussions with the fokontany and
reamanriny in Ampanavoana and found that in this village several areas
can be made available for the construction of a. fokontany hotel and other
facilities can be upgraded, such as a landing strip, a clinic, and a fleet of
pirogues to carry tourists upriver. Ways need to be investigated in which
such facilities can be used so that the community accrues much of the
benefit from ecotourism activities. The authors believe there is great
potential on the Peninsula for community-based and community-run
ecotourism.
• Existing and Potential Infrastructure
An inventory of existing infrastructure on the Peninsula needs to be
commissioned. Boats for hire at the main centers and further afield need
to be listed and classified in terms of their seaworthiness. Prices should be
regulated which would prevent overcharging of short journeys, such as the
4 km run from Maroantsetra to Nosy Mangabe.
• Tourism Accommodation
It is recommended that an inventory be made of available accommodation
on the Peninsula using a rating system. Since there are currently several
hotel construction projects occurring on the Peninsula, guidelines need to
be established immediately. The following recommendations are only a
40

few examples of regulations that should govern hotel construction in the
coastal zone:
♦
All construction must be 60 m from the high water mark in order
to avoid erosion and protect beaches;
♦
There needs to be a minimum distance from freshwater sources to
avoid pollution and contamination of these sources;
♦
There needs to be adequate facilities for sewage disposal and
effluent should be released far enough from the shore and in such
a location in order to avoid affecting any sensitive habitats, such
as coral reefs and seagrass beds;
♦
Solid waste receptacles, such as plastic bags or other containers,
need to be provided for refuse;
♦
Where groundwater is scarce, such as Cap Masoala and islands,
hotels should collect enough rainwater for consumption by their
guests so that this limited resource is not further exhausted;
♦
Regulations controlling construction or other development in the
coastal zone in order to assess the impact of the proposed
construction need to be designed;
♦
The carrying capacity of isolated areas, such as islands or sites
adjacent to protected areas, should be assessed as part of the
evaluation exercise for any development proposal;
41

♦
The local community should be included in all local tourist projects,
either as a direct or indirect work force.
• Community Tourism Accommodation
It is recommended that an education officer be employed to offer advice to
interested parties on how they can improve their accommodation for the
ecotourist market and use local resources wisely. Local inhabitants on the
Peninsula are not always aware of certain needs of tourists such as water
for washing and drinking. For example, local inhabitants do not normally
drink cold water but prefer warm rice water, an acquired taste. It is also
recommended that local hotel or guest house owners be aided to catch
rainwater to boost freshwater supplies, a particularly important point in
areas where groundwater is scarce, such as at Cap Masoala.
10.7.3 TOURISM RESOURCE ZONES AND MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
The management units proposed for other aspects of coastal zone management
in The Strategic Plan for the Management of the Coastal Zone of the Masoala
Peninsula also apply to the development of ecotourism. Tourism development
zones need to take into account the borders of management units within which
there are specific economic and environmental considerations and
management solutions to address them.
10.7.4 TOURISM AUTHORITY
It is recommended that a tourism commission be established, with offices in
Antalaha and Maroantsetra. The commission can be modeled after similar
structures in developing countries such as Costa Rica and Namibia. The
commission will fulfill the broad function of increasing access of tourists to
resources, enriching the quality of their experience, and acting as a central
point for processing input from local communities.
42

10.7.5 AREA-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
There are several important localities that fall outside reserves but need
specific action plans to promote both their proper development as ecotourism
destinations and their conservation. These should be designed in conjunction
with all the local interested and affected parties.
One such area, for example, is Cap Est. This site has several biologically
unique features that warrant conservation measures, such as the swamps,
fringing mangroves, an island, and the coral reefs and lagoons with their
channels that are very important for the dissemination of fish larvae. Under
other circumstances these features would warrant the establishment of a fullfledged
reserve. However, another reserve on the Peninsula may very well
stretch administrative and management resources allocated to areas already
designated as parks. Therefore a separate action plan has to be worked out for
the area. The participants in this plan should include the local fishers
association, hotel owners, palm oil plantation administrators, and whatever
other local authorities may exist. Hotel owners may play a definitive role. In
discussions with the authors they have indicated a willingness to build
research and educational facilities and assist with the funding and
administration of a local marine reserve honored by common agreement
between all local interested and affected parties. In the view of the current
consultants all the ingredients for constructing a local action plan are there,
and it is recommended that the construction of such a plan, and its
implementation, proceed as speedily as possible.
10.7.6 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Community involvement in ecotourism is central to the development and
maintenance of a successful industry. Much is known in this regard from
study cases elsewhere. The first two ecotourism trial runs indicated a large
potential for community involvement. If local communities are not thoroughly
43

involved, resentment will quickly build up and the resource will be destroyed.
Community involvement can include such activities as growing food or
manufacturing products to sell to tourists. The tourism carrying capacity of
different villages needs to be studied carefully using already existing
protocols. It is recommended that a special project be commissioned in which
community involvement in ecotourism at all levels be researched in the very
near future.
10.7.7 PRIVATE OPERATORS
There are two potential types of private operators that may run tours on the
Masoala Peninsula. One type would be outside operators that bring tourists to
the region from elsewhere. They can be either a blessing or a curse.
Unfortunately they have proved to be a curse more often than not. A
benevolent outside operator would make use of local services as far as
possible and would provide local people with training opportunities and pay
them decent salaries. Benevolent outside operators would also be involved in
conservation initiatives as far as possible. Malevolent operators would bring
little money to the Peninsula, and would be involved only in activities that
further their own interests. Most people are in the ecotourism business for the
purpose of making money so it is not surprising that actions and practices are
more often than not driven by monetary rather than social or conservation
considerations.
Malevolent operators have caused substantial damage in many parts of the
world, with some of the most striking case studies in developing countries
such as Peru and Brazil. Luckily, they are not too difficult to tell apart from
benevolent operators, due to the efforts of a host of non-profit organizations
of which The Ecotourism Society is the biggest and best known. There exist
today guidelines to help prospective ecotourists distinguish between good and
bad operators before they sign up for tours. However, the people on the
44

Masoala Peninsula also need guidelines to help them distinguish between
good and bad operators. This would provide local inhabitants with some
recourse in the form of petitioning the Ecotourism Commission in Antalaha
and Maroantsetra. In this way, access to the Peninsula and the parks system by
bad operators can be curbed or eliminated.
Clear guidelines for outside operators need to be drawn up or the fragile
coastal resources will be easily damaged or destroyed. Operators need to be
thoroughly informed as to the local customs, in order to select ecotour
participants and maintain some measure of control over their behavior.
Valuable lessons in this regard were learned during the second ecotourism
trial run. After a few more trial runs a set of guidelines for operators needs to
be drawn up in conjunction with the local inhabitants of the region.
Local operators can also be good or bad. An emerging ecotourism industry
often is witness to innovative locals starting up their own businesses as well
as copycat locals who are in it for a fast buck. Unprofessional local operators
can damage the budding industry as a whole. Local operators often need
training to handle westerners and it is recommended that a training program
be started as soon as possible. Such training programs can be highly
successful. The consultants know a number of people that, with some training,
will be excellent local operators. Local operators need to adhere to strict
guidelines as well. The rise of local tyrants is a well-known syndrome in
developing economies.
10.7.8 THE PARK SYSTEM AS AN OPERATOR
After the delimitation and establishment of parks and reserves, they still need
to be made to work financially. Parks and reserves that can pay for
themselves, as well as bestow benefit on the local population, have a great
chance of succeeding and surviving into the future. The most obvious, and
45

perhaps only way, in which the reserves can become financially independent,
is through the development of a responsible ecotourism industry which is
controlled largely by the parks and reserves themselves. It is not enough for a
park to make money from entrance only fees. When set up and run correctly, a
reserve or park will be able to take a large cut of the operator's profit itself,
money which normally goes to an operator at a locality far away from the park
and therefore remain out of reach of the inhabitants. The parks and reserves
can then receive a sufficiently large slice of the profits to pay for park
maintenance and management. A properly run park will often show profit
beyond its own requirements. Such surplus income can be used for the
establishment of new parks and for assisting parks going through difficult
periods. It is recommended that a training course be given to park managers
and personnel, and that key individuals be given the chance to visit parks
elsewhere where the park acts as operator.
10.7.9 COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE PARK AND OUTSIDE INTERESTS
Potential collaboration between the park system and outside interests need to
be investigated and encouraged. Even when the park system can provide good
service, it will still need assistance recruiting participants into its programs.
Dr F Odendaal has already recommended that feelers be put out toward the
National Parks Board in South Africa and progress is being made in this
regard. There are also other official entities that may be interested in joint
marketing, such as the South African Tourism Commission. However,
collaboration need not be restricted to official organizations. Should the park
system on the Masoala Peninsula be in the position to provide excellent
service, there is every possibility of a joint venture with private businesses
who can recruit and sign up prospective clients.
The consultants suggest a two-step approach: the first step is for outside
interests to use park facilities such as accommodation, but to provide most of
46

the services themselves, particularly those that lie outside park boundaries.
Through a system of trial runs the park personnel can be trained to provide
services and progressively become more involved in this regard. Eventually
the parks will not only provide facilities but services as well. A number of
successful parks have emerged recently following this route. These
possibilities need to be investigated as soon as possible since time is required
to raise money for joint ventures.
10.7.10 LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The role of the different legal and institutional structures in the budding
ecotourism industry needs to be defined as soon as possible. For instance, the
following structures all play a potential role in ecotourism development: local
government, fokontany, police and fisher associations.
• Local government structures may play a role in issuing permission for
conducting tourism operations, permits for the construction of hotels and
other facilities, and may inspect such facilities sporadically;
• Traditional structures such as the fokontany can undoubtedly play an
important role in organizing services, particularly away from main centers,
or by regulating services provided by local people;
• The Malagasy Police (Gendarmes) are potential role players in regulating
tourism, or providing recourse to law enforcement when necessary;
• Fisher associations are potential service providers in the form of
knowledgeable guides or boat owners.
47

Potential role players need to be identified and their roles defined, so that
appropriate relationships can be forged between them in order to minimizes
the occurrence of actions that affect the market negatively, such as corruption
and bribery which has ruined these industries in several African countries.
Procedures in the event of emergencies, such as ecotourists that become lost
or evacuations in the event of natural disasters, need to be defined.
Neither the relationships and power balance between the various government
departments, ANGAP, and the NGOs involved in integrated development and
conservation initiatives nor the relationship between park authorities and
Eaux de Foret are clear. For example, visitor permits should be available at
park entrances and not only in Antananarivo.
10.7.11 THE ROLE OF TRIAL RUNS
An useful way to start up a responsible ecotourism industry is to make use of
trial runs. This means involving real ecotourists who join the tour with the
understanding that they are embarking on an experimental route.
Trial runs have several advantages: they facilitate the gradual involvement of
the parks and reserves in the process, they provide a real-life training ground
for park guides and managers, they bring in real funds that can be applied to
park management and other running costs and, most importantly, they provide
word-of-mouth advertisement for the growing ecotourism industry which
eventually can be almost entirely controlled by the parks and reserves and
local inhabitants.
It is proposed that a program of trial runs be designed with the aim that after
the last one the park system will assume full and unsupervised control of
further groups of visiting ecotourists.
48

The following recommendations are made:
• That twenty trial runs be conducted over the next three years on the
Masoala Peninsula.
• That the involvement of park managers and local inhabitants be increased
progressively with each consecutive trial run;
• That the trail runs be adapted gradually to be a practical training ground
for park guides and administrators;
• That routes be varied so the full potential of the region can be discovered;
• That the program be carefully monitored by ANGAP ecotourism officials;
• That marketing mechanisms be set up in South Africa, Europe and the
United States.
• That the target would be to bring three hundred ecotourists to the Masoala
Peninsula over the next three years. Not only the park's involvement but
also its income will increase with each trial run.
• The expectation would be that after the last trial run the parks and reserves
would be able to act independently and provide high quality service to
prospective visitors. In such a scenario, a large percentage of the operator's
profit would find its way into the hands of the parks and reserves
themselves.
49

Agreements with one or more consultants and/or outside operators need to be
made so that trial runs in which local people become progressively more
involved, will continue as soon as possible. Several local businessmen are
building cottages, and are looking at ecotourism as a potential source of
income. They need to be brought together so that all aspects of ecotourism
development can be discussed with them.
10.7.12 DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL NATURE TOURISM Educational
nature tourism is a fast-growing type of ecotourism that comes in the form of
expeditions or excursions offered to the general public or specialist groups.
Lately the marketing of educational nature tourism has been extending from
more conventional marketing techniques into other effective methods of
reaching clients, such as electronic mail networks, and the publishing of
bare-bone directories distributed via nature clubs and larger organizations
such as societies, zoos, and educational institutions. The following
recommendations are made specifically for the development of nature
tourism.
• Tourism programs should be designed that highlight the commercial
development of coastal activities such as aquaculture, pelagic fishing,
agriculture, and traditional fishing villages. This would minimize the
impacts and wastage of such resources and conflicts from their uses 15 .
This would also increase community participation in development and
management efforts.
• A guidebook should be written and made available to arriving tourists
through the offices of the Masoala Tourism Commission in Maroantsetra
and Antalaha and other agencies further afield, in the capital and other
popular destinations. Such a guidebook should be written in that particular
style which is becoming increasingly popular: linking the text to particular
50

landmarks that the reader will encounter on their journey from a particular
gateway following a certain access route. Apart from pertinent natural
history information the booklet will include other points of interest. For
instance, the tourism project staff should interview farmers and fishermen,
and encourage them to establish a program whereby they will explain to
the tourists how their farms or boats operate. If they are willing to do this,
their names will be included in the booklet. The names and photographs
of guides approved by the Masoala Tourism Commission will be listed in
the booklet. This booklet can be an important promotional and
educational tool to highlight human activities on the Masoala Peninsula.
• Educational programs promoting the various ecotypes and related
activities in the region should be established. These programs need to
focus on activities such as snorkeling, bird-watching, river cruising,
fishing, and agricultural activity. Such programs will especially be helpful
to tour operators and park guides (who will need to be thoroughly
educated in these matters), the relevant non-governmental agencies and
government officials (who make policies that influence the use of these
resources), tour book writers (for promotional purposes), and local
educational institutions such as schools (where the education of children
can be augmented). It will be necessary for project staff to work with
outside expertise to determine the best examples of the various resources
that should be highlighted and promoted.
10.8 END NOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 Budowski G. 1976. Tourism and Conservation: conflict, coexistence or
symbiosis? Environ Cons 3:27-31.
2 Smith AH, Berkes F. 1993. Community-based use of mangrove resources in St
Lucia. Intern J Environ Studies 43:123-131.
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3 Jacobsen SK, Robles R. 1992. Ecotourism, sustainable development, and
conservation education: development of a tour guide training program in
Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Environ Manage 16(6):701-713.
4 Kenchington R. 1990. Tourism and conservation in the Galapagos Islands, the
Great Barrier Reef and the Republic of the Maldives. In: Camp Network, the
International Newsletter of the Coastal Area Management and Planning (3):1-
2.
5 Gibson J (1990) Tourism and Coastal Development in Belize. In: Camp
Network, the International Newsletter of the Coastal Area Management and
Planning (3): 1-2.
6 Miller ML, Ditton R. 1986. Travel, tourism, and marine affairs. Coastal Zone
Manage J 14:1-19.
7 WTO. 1983. Study of tourism's contribution to protecting the environment.
World Tourism Organization, Madrid.
8 Dutton P. 1992. Dolphin rescue. Underwater (20):28.
9 There are many examples of ecotourists putting pressure on governments in
developing countries, such as lobby groups against the damming of the Bio-
Bio river in Chile. There are numerous other examples in Central America.
Ecotourists who liked an area often retain an interest in its well-being after
returning to their home countries. Lobby groups such as Rainforest Action
Network (RAN) get much of their support from ecotourists that have visited
Latin American rainforests. These supporters often are prepared to picket or
write letters to the US Congress or government officials in the relevant
countries. Several ecotourists from the second trial run to the Masoala
Peninsula are presently looking into the idea of starting an informal FRIENDS
OF MASOALA organization to coordinate aspects such as ecotourism or
other services that may benefit the local population in the region.
10 Odendaal FJ. 1993. Preliminary report on marine conservation and
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exploitation of marine resources on the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar.
Consultation Report to CARE INTERNATIONAL (MADAGASCAR). 68 PP
11 Odendaal FJ. 1993. Preliminary report on Ecotourism on the Masoala
Peninsula, Madagascar. Consultation Report to CARE INTERNATIONAL
(MADAGASCAR), 12 pp.
12 UNESCO. 1994. Island Agenda: An overview of UNESCO's work on island
environments, territories, and societies. 131pp.
13 Marion JL, Rogers CS. 1994. The applicability of terrestrial visitor
management strategies to the protection of coral reefs. Ocean & Coastal
Manage 22:153-163.
14 Liddle MJ. 1991. Recreation ecology: Effects of trampling on plants and
corals. Trends in Ecol and Evol 6(1): 13-16.
15 McLaren DE. 1993. Environmental considerations and public involvement in
the assessment of the impacts of tourism development in third world countries.
Impact Assessment 11(2): 175-202.
16 Duffield BS, Walher SE. 1984. The assessment of tourism impacts. In:
Perspectives on Environmental Impact Assessment. BD Clark el ah (Ed). D
Reidel Publishing Co.
17 Boo E. 1990. Ecotourism:the potentials and pitfalls, Vols I and II. World
Wildlife Fund, Washington DC.
18 Beekhuis JV. 1981. Tourism in the Caribbean: Impacts on the economic,
social and natural environments. Ambio 10(6).
19 Visits to Nosy Mangabe require permits which presently can be obtained at
the Coco Beach Hotel. Unfortunately many visitors go to the island
unauthorized, but there are guards on the island so that an estimation of the
number of visitors to the island can be made.
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20 This number was given to Dr F Odendaal by Mr Aime who has a strategically
located hut where food is served to visitors. The number was confirmed by the
shopkeeper who owns the boat Flarina, and a fisher named Pierre. The six
visitors were German and travelled by mountain bicycle.
21 Twenty serious responses were elicited in the United States but the expedition
was already fully booked by South Africans before any of the American
applications could be processed by Ocean Cruises in Connecticut.
22 Advertisements were placed over a six month period in Getaway Magazine in
South Africa as well as The Citizen newspaper.
23 Local Expenses included the hire of boats, provisions for the journey around
the Peninsula, porters, runners, guides, various site fees such as well as two
different donations to the fokontany.
24 Four advertisements were placed in Outside Magazine. Marketing in the
United States involved the setting up of a temporary administrative structure
inside the offices of Ocean Cruises, the installation of a phone line particularly
for the purpose of marketing this trial run, and the purchase of an answering
machine. Eco-Africa Environmental Consultants have since opened a
permanent office in North Carolina to market trial runs.
25 Brenda Berge came on the first trial run. She agreed to be a co-organizer
whose duties included a variety of pre-trip activities. She also accompanied
team members on their journey from South Africa, did bookkeeping inside
Madagascar, and other tasks. In exchange for her work she stayed on another
three weeks on the Masoala Peninsula at no additional cost.
26 Marcel Kroese was contracted as resident marine biologist and expedition
guide in exchange for a plane ticket from Johannesburg.
27 H Kent took care of all administrative duties related to the trial run which ran
over a period of almost ten months, including the processing of enquiries and
applications.
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28 The left-over money is being spent on conservation and development
initiatives on the Peninsula, such as equipping a women's cooperative with
materials to make handicrafts to sell to future ecotourists and providing
medical help for a girl with a severe palate deformity.
29 Kechik ATH, Ibrahim M, Hamzah A, Jaffar A. 1991. Guidelines for coastal
resources management for tourism and recreation in South Johore, Malaysia.
In: LM Chou, T-E Chua, HW Khoo, PE Lim, JN Paw, GT Silvestre, MJ
Valencia AR White and PK Wong (eds). Towards an integrated management
of tropical coastal resources. ICLARM Conf Proc 22: pp 355-364.
30 ICLARM. 1992. The coastal resources management plan for South Johore,
Malaysia. Technical Publications Series 11, 291 pp.
31 Many successful ecotourism destinations have foul weather for much of the
time. These include rainforests in Amazonia and Costa Rica that have long wet
seasons, Northern Alaska that can be bitterly cold, Patagonia in Chile that is
usually very windy and cold, and arid zone destinations such as the Fish River
canyon in Namibia that is closed four months of the year because of soaring
temperatures.
32 Lindberg K. 1991. Policies for maximizing nature tourism's ecological and
economic benefits. Washington DC: World Resources Institute.
33 Maragos JE, Soegiarto A, Gomez ED, Dow MA (1983) Development
planning for tropical coastal ecosystems. In: R Carpenter (Ed) Natural systems
for development: what planners need to know. MacMillan Publishing Co, New
York, p 229-298
34 Green H, Hunter C, Moore B. 1989. Assessing the environmental impact of
tourism development: the use of the Delphi technique. Int J Environ Studies
35:51-62.
35 Richey JS, Mar BW, Horner R. 1985. The Delphi Technique in environmental
assessment. J Environ Management 21:135-146.
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36 Drake S. 1991. Development of a local participation plan for ecotourism
projects. In: Ecotourism and resource Conservation. Omnipress.
37 Hudspeth TR. 1982. Citizen participation in revitalization of the Burlington,
Vermont, Waterfront. Dissertation thesis. Univ of Vermont.
38 Coser LA. 1956. The Functions of Social Conflict. Free Press, Glencoe,
Illinois, USA.
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