Vacation in Madagascar in the Covid-19 crisis
The world situation and the chaos we are going through are unprecedented. In my 20 years of service, I have never experienced a comparable situation, neither on September 11, 2001, nor afterwards during the long crisis in Madagascar in 2001/2002 or the coup of 2009.
What is happening right now is far worse than all of that put together. Neither terrorism nor the previous pandemics have had such an impact on the lives of the planet's citizens and our societies.
The impact is immense: it destabilizes the fragile socio-economic balance at a global level, especially in Madagascar to name only the targets that directly affect us.
Five days after the curfew
In Madagascar, the epidemic has not yet hit the island that hard: According to the official count, 17 cases have been officially registered since Friday, March 20. However, the effects of the global pandemic are already putting a strain on the country's economy, which is heavily dependent on imports.
The most affected sector so far: tourism, which now records 100% cancellations of international customers. And the complete closure of the borders since Thursday, March 19, for one month is not expected to improve the situation in the coming weeks.
Against the backdrop of this unique ambience, I make a committed decision that I hope will last: that the entire Madagascar leave will continue its activities, continue to work in the office, contain anxiety and psychosis, and prepare for the future.
Here in Madagascar, it is amazing to hear about "technical unemployment" as we imagine it in Europe. Since there is no unemployment benefit, a worker who remains "unemployed" at home is a worker without income, exposed to a future that is all the more uncertain.
I therefore make the decision that our entire team should benefit from this imposed off-peak period, as long as we are not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing our activities, completing the training of each person involved in the preparation of your trips, strengthening our capacity and the quality of the services we offer. All this to make us more efficient once the good times return.
Because they will undeniably come back, and we need to be prepared for them now.
Travel preparations for the time after the crisis
In fact, we are at the full disposal of travelers who dream of their next trip ,. I am here in Antananarivo, at your service to transform your travel desires into a future reality.
Of course, I allow myself to do this because, as I write these few lines, Madagascar is still escaping the pandemic.
If the epidemic breaks out on the Big Island despite the strict measures taken by the authorities, we will all work together to adjust our policies and take the necessary measures for each of us and for our society.
Until today, everything prevents the inhabitants of Madagascar to travel, our beautiful island with all its facets, our secret gardens, is affected by a global curfew.
Vacation in Madagascar during the pandemic.
The pandemic is possible since 12 cases have been reported, it can be deadly for us, panic is deadly. The disintegration of the social fabric would be terrible and harmful in the long run.
Under these conditions, we resolve to do this little: let us maintain a network of activities to avoid sinking into a catastrophic health crisis for this fragile country.
It is precisely for this purpose that the entire team of Holidays in Madagascar is currently working intensively on the elaboration of travel proposals for weekends or stays of several weeks; in the Makay Massif, on Nosy Be, Diving or simply in the Antananarivo area. Our guides and our teams want to share with you the love of the country, the pleasure of discovering unsuspected corners.
These moments push us to give the best of ourselves to continue being imaginative and creative.
We are dedicated to our passion for the "truly beautiful journey" to emerge from these complex, troubling and economically challenging times.
The future of our business is also linked to the ability of curious travelers to trust us, to share our love of freedom and nature. This is an opportune time for us to expand our vision of the Big Island beyond the rice paddies.
Even under threatening skies, it is our will to transmit and make accessible these gems.
See you soon on the roads of this fascinating island,