Dear space explorers, 

Dear traveling friends, 

The global situation and the challenges we are facing are unprecedented. In 30 years of activity, I have never experienced anything like what we are living through today. Neither the events of September 11, 2001, terrorism, nor the pandemics experienced until now have impacted the lives of the planet’s citizens and our societies to this extent. 

The repercussions are immense, profoundly destabilizing the fragile socio-economic balance on a global scale, even more so in Madagascar and Mauritania, to name just two destinations directly tied to us. 

It is within this extraordinary context that I have made a committed, hopeful, and enduring choice: for the entire Détours team (in Madagascar and Mauritania) to continue working, staying active, to counter fear, avoid paralysis, and prepare for the future. 

Here in Madagascar, it is surprising to hear terms like "technical unemployment" as we might imagine them in France. With no unemployment benefits, an employee staying home without work is left without income, facing an even more uncertain future. 

Thus, I have chosen to use this imposed downtime to ensure our team remains engaged. As long as the Covid-19 pandemic does not reach us, we will: 

- Continue our activities, 

- Enhance the training of every team member involved in designing your trips, 

- Strengthen our skills and improve the quality of services we offer, 

This is all aimed at making us more effective once brighter days return. Because they will return, undeniably, and we must be ready.

Our commitment to future travelers

We remain fully available to travelers who wish to dream of their next escape. We are here to help transform your travel aspirations into future realities. 

This is also part of the social responsibility of our companies, Détours Madagascar and Détours Mauritania. 

Of course, I am taking this approach because, as I write these lines, Madagascar has not yet been affected by the pandemic. If, unfortunately, the virus reaches the Great Island despite the strong measures taken by public authorities, we will adjust our policies collectively and take the necessary steps to protect everyone and our company. 

At this time, there is nothing preventing residents of Madagascar from traveling, from discovering this beautiful island and its many facets, its hidden treasures.

Preserving activity in a fragile context

Isolation could be fatal to us; panic is deadly. The breakdown of the social fabric would be catastrophic and harmful in the long term. In this context, we have decided to do what little we can: maintain a thread of activity to avoid descending into a post-health-crisis catastrophe for this fragile country. 

This is why the entire Détours Madagascar team is working tirelessly to design travel opportunities for weekends or longer stays—to the Makay Massif, the Radama Islands, or even close to Antananarivo. Our guides and teams are eager to share their love for the country and the joy of discovering its hidden gems. 

These moments push us to give our best, to remain imaginative and creative. 

Dedicated to our passion for "truly beautiful travel," we aim to rise above these complex, anxiety-inducing, and economically restrictive times.

Looking to the Future

The future of our company also depends on the trust of curious travelers willing to share our love for Freedom and Nature. This period allows us to expand our visions of the Great Island beyond the rice fields. 

Even under threatening skies, our goal is to share and make accessible these moments of beauty and hope. 

We hope to see you soon on the paths of the world. 

Warm regards,

Sylvain PHILIP

And the entire teams at Détours Madagascar and Détours Mauritania

P.S. As of March 19, 2020, the Malagasy government confirms that no official cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Madagascar.