Ethical Impact Analysis - Détours Madagascar
Ethical Impact Analysis

Ethical Impact Analysis

  • The entire activity of Détours Madagascar is based on the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the Charter for Sustainable Tourism, which state that sustainable tourism must contribute to improving living conditions and the well-being of local populations.  

  • The agency is also certified by Leave No Trace, Voyageons Autrement, and VVE.

  • The company’s leaders (Sylvain PHILIP and Noro RAFARALAHY) are involved in local tourism networks and organizations (founding members of the Madagascar Tourism Confederation, the Antso Re network for solidarity tourism). Through this, the agency contributes to networking tourism stakeholders and establishing collective reflections on the development of a more human- and environmentally-respectful tourism at a global level.  The agency’s actions alone are not enough to make a real social, economic, or environmental impact on the country: the reflection must be global, involving all tourism stakeholders, public authorities, local populations, and travelers.

  • The company is moving towards a policy of raising awareness about gift-giving and tips, which can destabilize the social order and the local economy when given indiscriminately. Détours Madagascar tries to raise awareness among both its teams and travelers about the impact of giving gifts in villages, which can promote begging and dependency, unless the gifts are genuinely suited to the needs of the people targeted and redistributed through a local, reliable association, structure, or resource person.

  • Regarding tips, guides advise travelers on appropriate amounts to give (local guides, porters, restaurants, etc.), or sometimes these tips are included in the travel price upfront, in which case the guide manages the distribution of tips to local service providers.  However, it remains difficult to control these realities on the ground, as they are entirely dependent on the level of engagement and awareness of the guides, and the travelers themselves. Training and awareness-raising actions on these matters could be strengthened, so that actions on the ground help reinforce the values promoted by the agency.

  • The agency is constantly seeking to establish partnerships with service providers who share a similar ethical view of tourism and sustainable development at large: ecolodges, cruise operators on traditional boats offering "truly beautiful and committed journeys" such as Alefa or Nofy Be; local NGOs and associations; and stakeholders involved in various projects.  

For example, the agency has collaborated on itineraries with specific themes, involving stakeholders at the forefront of the subject who share a common vision (the car manufacturer Karenjy, the chocolatiers Kabos, the circus company Aléa des Possibles…); setting up Zero Waste Toilet Kits; permaculture training, etc.

  • The agency is generally active on all fronts and open to all possibilities in terms of sustainable development. New projects and partnerships are regularly studied, and pursued or not depending on real possibilities, but the agency’s open-mindedness, willingness to engage, and innovate are clearly present.

Points for Improvement

  • Détours could further improve its internal and external communication to inform its teams, partners, and travelers about the agency's commitments and results regarding sustainability.

  • It could also establish more links with local associations to implement solidarity projects or participate in local solidarity actions.

  • The agency could work with integration structures, both in the offices and/or on the ground, to benefit both travelers and the professional training of people in difficulty.

  • Finally, the agency could participate in experimental programs, such as entrepreneurship or innovation competitions, to further foster the culture of innovation within its teams.  This would add real value to the company and the products created, while stimulating employees in their daily work: it would be a great way to bring new knowledge and open-mindedness to both travel design and field interactions with travelers.

Thesis Excerpt - Maëlle GUILLET 

Tourism in Madagascar, a Naturally Responsible Destination? The Case of Détours Madagascar 

Professional License in Tourism and Solidarity Economy,  

University of Avignon and the Vaucluse Region

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