World Tourism Day will be celebrated this year in Mahajanga. The National Tourism Office of Madagascar (ONTM), in collaboration with its supervising ministry, will celebrate World Tourism Day in the city of Mahajanga from September 24-27, 2026. Over one hundred stands will be set up to showcase the attractions of this regional destination. Tour operators, travel agencies and other local tourism operators affiliated with the Boeny Regional Tourism Office have proposed the Bombetoka Protected Area to mark the celebration of this World Tourism Day. Indeed, "it is a bird sanctuary hosting 111 bird species, most of which are aquatic species. The park serves, among other things, as a refuge for sacred ibises, pink flamingos and herons. However, it remains little known to tourists, both national and international. Organizing this event will thus be an opportunity for local operators to highlight the wealth and tourism offerings that make the Boeny region unique, including the blue economy, the craftsmanship of artisans and the various circuits available in the region," explained ONTM's Chairman, Mirana Rasanjison.
Still in the context of celebrating World Tourism Day in Mahajanga, the use of digital technologies will be highlighted to promote Madagascar as a destination on the international stage. Round tables will be organized to bring together tourism operator groups, digital actors and other partners. The opportunities and challenges posed by digital technology and artificial intelligence, as well as the benefits of digital transformation in the tourism sector, will be discussed to improve services and promote sustainable tourism development. It should be noted that the theme chosen by the World Tourism Organization for this year focuses on "Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Service of Tourism Innovation." "The ministry in charge of Digital Development, Posts and Telecommunications will join hands with our ministry to highlight the use of these digital technologies in improving and innovating tourism offerings. The objective is to make Madagascar a more connected, innovative and accessible tourist destination, capable of meeting the requirements of modern tourism," said the supervising minister, Lily Rafaralahy. Speaking about tourism evolution in the country, she reported over 151,000 international tourists arriving in Madagascar during the first half of 2026, representing a 0.5% increase compared to the same period the previous year.