Mauritius has soared past its ambitious tourism target, welcoming over two million visitors between October 2021 and September 2023. This remarkable achievement comes on the heels of the island nation’s determined efforts to rebound from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism, Louis Steven Obeegadoo, shared this thrilling news during a recent press conference held at the elegant Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel in Port-Louis.
The heartening revelation didn’t stop there. Minister Obeegadoo unveiled that the total tourism earnings for the period spanning January to July 2023 had surpassed MUR 48 billion (approximately €1 billion), a noteworthy surge from the MUR 45 billion (around €950 million) recorded during the same period in 2019. This accomplishment underscores the rejuvenated vitality of Mauritius’ tourism sector.
Tourism, as emphasized by Minister Obeegadoo, has been a formidable engine of growth, contributing around 55% to Mauritius’s economic resurgence following the aftermath of the pandemic. Notably, this sector has shown resilience and sustainability, with the inauguration of four new hotels and the approval of 19 projects, collectively valued at MUR 21.3 billion (approximately €450 million) by the Economic Development Board since the reopening of borders.
Minister Obeegadoo also outlined key strategic areas for further strengthening the sector, encompassing marketing initiatives, enhanced air connectivity, nurturing the workforce, and diversification of offerings to tourists.
Highlighting the significance of marketing, the Minister affirmed Mauritius’s intent to consolidate its existing markets, including France, Réunion, Italy, South Africa, and Germany, while simultaneously exploring new horizons in India, China, northern and eastern Europe, and the Persian Gulf.
To mitigate the loss of tourist seats due to Air Belgium’s flight cancellations, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority is actively engaging in discussions with other airlines, such as Air France and Turkish Airlines. On a brighter note, Air Mauritius has upped its flights to London, Delhi, Perth, and Cape Town, with other carriers like Vistara, Kenya Airways, Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines, and Air Austral following suit by increasing their flight frequencies to and from Mauritius.
Furthermore, Minister Obeegadoo emphasized the government’s commitment to collaborating with the private sector to facilitate the employment of foreign labour. Simultaneously, they aim to inspire Mauritian citizens, particularly the youth, to seize employment opportunities within the tourism sector.
Diversification remains a key focus, with an emphasis on the development of cultural tourism and medical and wellness tourism to enrich the experiences and activities offered to visitors.
In the pursuit of a more inclusive, sustainable, green, and resilient tourism sector, the government is diligently reviewing the 10-year blueprint for the future of Mauritius’ tourism. This visionary roadmap is set to be unveiled at the beginning of the coming year, charting an exciting course for the island’s tourism landscape.
