The second edition of the Festkite Madagascar competition is launched. The opportunity for the tourism sector locally and internationally to develop further.
On the rise. The beaches of Antsiranana transform for a few days into a paradise for Kit-surfers, those who practice this water sport at sea on windy days. The board secured to the feet and towed by a kite wing, a sail fixed by harnesses.
Yesterday, the first opening day of the second edition of this competition, the athletes, representatives of the Ministry of Tourism as well as Fisheries and the blue economy met on Sakalava Bay. An opening hosted by athletes and fans of this discipline who have just arrived on the beaches of the Big Island for free navigation.
This second edition will be held at Sakalava Bay until September 10, under favorable weather and a summer atmosphere. According to Mada Kite Bros, first Kit-surfing school in Madagascar but also organizers of Festkite Madagascar, “more than sixty participants and a thousand visitors are expected at this event”. Today will begin the competition itself with the launch of the elimination phase.
Ideal destination
On the marketing side, the very composition of the athletes does the job with the presence in Antsiranana of one of the leading figures of the discipline, the Dutchman, Stig Hoefnagel, one of the best Kit-surfers in the world. Enough to attract sports tourists from all walks of life.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, “this is the perfect opportunity to further develop the Madagascar destination” through this sport. The disciplines are as varied as they are adapted to each age category. The Big Island with its five thousand kilometers of more or less welcoming coastline seems to be an ideal spot for practicing this sport.
The objective of the MinTour as well as that of the taxpayers is to further develop the practice of this sport in order to classify the Red Island among the international Kit-surfing destinations. With a successful first edition in 2022, the event is back with a vengeance and was the perfect opportunity to relaunch local tourism for a few days. Significant contributions which could help replenish the coffers of the tourism sector.
