The traditional influx of vacationers to northern Madagascar is lagging this year. Transport operators, tourism professionals, and economic actors are reporting an unusual decline in visitor numbers. Ramena beach is less crowded than last year. In Antsiranana, the holiday season lacks its usual vibrancy. While the summer period is traditionally marked by a significant flow of visitors to the northern region, transport operators are noting a significant drop in passenger numbers this year.
In bus stations, the contrast is striking. National transport vehicles remain parked for several days waiting to gather enough passengers to depart, an unusual situation for this time of year. Sector professionals report sluggish activity, far from seasons when departures followed one another and demand sometimes exceeded transport capacity.
The decline in visitors is also explained by the absence of major religious gatherings that typically animate the city. For five years, Antsiranana regularly hosted church congresses or "Zaikabe" events, attracting thousands of participants. This year, no such large-scale events are currently scheduled, depriving the city of a significant visitor flow.
At the Kofmad cooperative, the situation is clear. According to its manager, only one vehicle currently operates daily connections to Antsiranana. Main reservations recorded concern mainly church members attending general assemblies scheduled for August.
Beyond these temporary factors, a climate of fear has taken hold. According to several testimonies from transport operators, the surge in kidnappings and kidnapping attempts reported in recent months across different regions of the country strongly influences families' travel decisions. "Many of our regular clients tell us they prefer to give up traveling with their loved ones out of concern for their safety," says Abdou, ticket clerk at Kofmad Antsiranana cooperative.
This concern now extends beyond long-distance travel. Even city movements warrant greater caution. Bajaj users are exercising increased vigilance, while safety recommendations multiply on social media and in neighborhoods.
Adding to this worry is the spread of numerous rumors, often shared without verification, fueling a climate of panic. For some parents, fear is so great that the threat of "child abductors" is sometimes used to discourage young people from leaving home. This anxious atmosphere translates into reduced attendance at leisure spaces, particularly amusement rides and bumper cars.
On beaches too, vigilance is paramount. Parents accompanying their children now keep constant watch over them, illustrating growing concern for their safety.
While no official statistics yet allow precise measurement of this situation's impact, transport professionals are already observing the first effects of an insecurity climate weighing on household mobility and, consequently, on northern Madagascar's economic activity.