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Published February 6, 2026 | Version v1
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EMPOWERING RURAL HOSPITALITY: A MIXED-METHODS EVALUATION OF LANGUAGE AND GUIDING CAPACITY-BUILDING IN AMBATOLAHY, MADAGASCAR

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ABSTRACT

 

Sustainable development in rural Madagascar is increasingly dependent on the ability of local communities to autonomously manage endogenous resources. This study evaluates the impact of targeted capacity-building initiatives—specifically linguistic instruction (French and English) and professional guiding training—implemented by the VARUNA project in the rural commune of Ambatolahy. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, the study triangulates qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and participant observations with quantitative results from longitudinal learning assessments. The findings reveal a significant enhancement of local human capital. Oral proficiency in foreign languages among participants rose from a baseline of 15% to 75% post-intervention, while guiding skills evolved from passive description to proactive heritage interpretation. Beyond technical gains, the pedagogical shift toward non-formal, experiential learning fostered a profound sense of collective efficacy and psychological empowerment. These results demonstrate that when instructional designs are aligned with adult learning theories and socio-economic aspirations, they can effectively dismantle the barriers that relegate rural populations to the periphery of the tourism value chain. However, the study also identifies critical challenges regarding the longitudinal sustainability of these competencies, highlighting the need for endogenous support structures to prevent skill attrition in the absence of consistent tourism flow. In conclusion, the research underscores that targeted training acts as a foundational "operational engine" within broader rural development strategies. It argues that human capital investment must be synchronized with organizational structuring to enable marginalized communities to transition from external dependency toward a professionalized, self-directed hospitality model.

 

 

Keywords: capacity-building, human capital, rural tourism, heritage interpretation

 

Corresponding Author: RAKOTONJOHARY Mamy Andrianiaina

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