Tourist arrivals in Mauritius have exceeded the island’s target of two million for the period between October 2021 and September 2023. The target was set after the opening of its borders following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism, Louis Steven Obeegadoo, provided the information during a press conference held at Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel in Port-Louis last week.
He indicated that the total tourism earnings from January to July 2023 amounted to more than MUR48 billion (€1bn) compared with MUR45 billion (€950m) for the same period in 2019, which, according to him, is significant proof of the reinforced dynamism of the sector.
Tourism, he said, contributed around 55% of Mauritius's economic growth and was a primary engine that had helped the country to thrive in its recovery process post-COVID-19.
The Minister stressed that tourism had managed to emerge as a resilient and sustainable sector. “In fact, four new hotels have been set since the opening of the frontiers, and 19 projects to the tune of MUR21.3 billion (€450m) have already been approved by the Economic Development Board.”
He added that key areas in terms of marketing, air connectivity, human resource, and diversification had been identified to further boost the sector.
Obeegadoo also pointed out that Mauritius would consolidate its existing tourist markets, such as France, Réunion, Italy, South Africa and Germany, and would explore potential markets like India, China, northern and eastern Europe and the Persian Gulf.
He indicated that the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority was negotiating with other airlines such as Air France and Turkish Airlines to compensate for the loss of tourist seats, due to Air Belgium’s cancellation of all its scheduled flights.
However, Obeegadoo added he was pleased that Air Mauritius was increasing its flights to London, Delhi, Perth and Cape Town. Other airlines such as Vistara, Kenya Airways, Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines and Air Austral were also increasing the number of flights to and from Mauritius.
He said government was finalising a new approach with the private sector for more foreign labour. However, he underlined that it was also important to attract Mauritians, and especially the youth, to take up employment opportunities in the tourism sector.
With regard to diversification, he highlighted the need to further develop cultural tourism and medical and wellness tourism to expand tourist experiences and activities.
Government, Obeegadoo emphasised, was working towards building an inclusive, sustainable, green and resilient tourism sector. In this endeavour, the 10-year blueprint for the future of the tourism sector, is being reviewed and will be presented at the beginning of next year.
