Travelers and their luggage arriving at Antananarivo international airport. Madagascar's tourism sector shows slight growth in the first half of 2026. Madagascar welcomed 151,532 foreign visitors during the first six months of the year, compared to 150,757 over the same period in 2025. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Crafts, this represents 775 additional visitors, a 0.51% increase year-on-year.
This growth remains modest. It comes amid an international context marked by several challenges, compounded by air transport constraints. Despite these difficulties, tourist arrivals are holding steady and demonstrate continued interest in Madagascar as a destination.
For the full year 2026, authorities are targeting 400,000 foreign visitors. The pace recorded during the first six months must therefore accelerate in the second half to reach this goal. The Ministry of Tourism and Crafts intends to continue its efforts with sector professionals and various partners to improve the destination's appeal.
Promoting Madagascar, consolidating partnerships, and continuing efforts in the sector should help sustain arrivals in the coming months. The challenge is to maintain the momentum observed in the first half and attract more foreign visitors.
Updated figures
Available data remains provisional. The ministry notes that first-half figures may be updated after receiving, verifying, and consolidating information from various sources. Final results could therefore change.
With 151,532 visitors recorded at the halfway point, Madagascar still falls 248,468 arrivals short of the annual target of 400,000 tourists. The second half of the year will thus be crucial in measuring the sector's ability to accelerate and approach the 2026 target.
Lucia Rabarijaona