Antananarivo, Madagascar - Tourism industry officials in Madagascar are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of politcally motivated violence that has kept the island's capital Antananarivo in its grasp, media reports said Thursday.
"Reservations until and including March have been cancelled almost completely. Several thousands of jobs in hotels, restaurants and with travel offices are in danger," said Joel Randriamandranto of Madagascar's national tourism office.
While no tourist has been injured in the political violence and looting, frightening news reports from the spice island located off the eastern African coast has scared off tourists, he said.