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Madagascar to organize Whale-Watching Festival in July

Xinhua, May 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Madagascar will organize its second International Whale Watching Festival between July 2 to 10, in the eastern region of Sainte Marie Island which is frequented by a high number of humpback whales, organizers said on Wednesday.

"Parades, carnivals, sports animation and tours of Sainte Marie Island have been programed for the 2016 edition," head of Sainte Marie Tourism Office Rindra Rakotoarisoa told Xinhua.

This year's festival will be sponsored by Julien Lepers, a French television star who will also attend the exhibition of the event during the Madagascar International Tourism fair that will kick off on June 2, 2016.

"Whale eco-tourism or watching of whales in their natural habitat, is a tourism activity that has today gained huge popularity and it offers the country strong tourism potential," Rakotoarisoa said.

The official said between four to five thousand tourists are expected to attend the festival which will be an occasion to create awareness about this mode of tourism that encourages respect for the environment and protection of the ecosystem. Endit