Ecotourism and Sustainable Development in Protected Areas: Analysis of the Economic Impact of Tourism in Marojejy National Park

Abstract

Dr. Georges Solofoson

Ecotourism is widely recognized as a strategic approach that reconciled biodiversity conservation with local economic development in protected areas. This study Analyzes the direct and indirect economic impacts of tourism in Parc national de Marojejy, located in northeastern Madagascar and part of the UNESCO- listed Atsinanana humid forests. Field surveys conducted with local stakeholder’s guides, hotel owners, artisans, and households were combined with secondary data from Madagascar National Parks and the World Tourism Organization to assess tourism's contribution to local incomes and identify structural constraints limiting its potential. Findings indicate that ecotourism creates seasonal employment , incentives related activities ( handicrafts , transport, supply agriculture), and strengthens community incentives for conservation. However , these benefits remain constrained by poor access infrastructure, weak territorial marketing, seasonality of tourists flows , and unequal distribution of revenues among stakeholders . The lack of formal revenue-sharing mechanisms and participatory governance reduces the expected redistributive impact. The paper highlights the need for better structuring of the ecotourism value chain , strengthened local capacities , and shared governance involving park authorities , local governments , private operators , and communities . It recommends improving local value chains , professionalizing services, and implementing targeted promotion strategies to enhance ecotourism's contribution to sustainability development.

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