Mauritius always shines with a thousand lights

The number of tourists to Mauritius is growing every year thanks in particular to the arrival of new airlines. The French remain the first visitors but the progression of German tourists is notable.

2017 was a record year for Mauritius

Mauritius’ tourism industry had a record year in 2017, surpassing official forecasts for tourist arrivals. The island attracted over 1.34 million visitors, according to statistics published by the Mauritius Tourist Promotion Office. Officials attribute continued growth to a variety of factors, including increased air access.

As air transport progresses, tourism also evolves

Hubert Golay, Director of HTI Consulting, a real estate and leisure consulting firm, said: « In recent years, we have witnessed the arrival of new flights and capacity building on existing flights to the island « . In 2017 and 2018, we saw arrivals from Kenya Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, Eurowings departing from Munich…

First numbers for 2018 are encouraging

The number of foreigners visiting Mauritius increased by 4.7% to 101,100 visitors in May 2018 compared to 96,600 in the same month a year earlier. The largest increases were recorded in France (+9.7% to 18,000), India (13.1% to 13,800), Germany (30.3% to 10,300), the United Kingdom (0.9% to 10,300) and South Africa (12%) to 7,800).
Some decreases with Switzerland (-0.6% to 1,600), Italy (-24.4% to 1,400) and Australia (-19.6% to 1,100). In the first five months of the year, the number of foreign visitors to Mauritius increased by 2.7 per cent to 562,500.

Fewer tourists from China

When you look at the figures, there are fewer tourists from China. This is a decrease of 12% and 5,600 arrivals. China Southern Airlines ceased flights in 2017. The impact is significant. Mauritius awaits the arrival of Hong Kong Airlines (a subsidiary of HNA). Mauritius hopes to see 100,000 Chinese visitors.

French tourists always at the rendez-vous

Whether they come from mainland France or neighbouring Reunion Island, the French are the first customers of Mauritian tourism. Figures remain on the rise
thanks to the work of the Tourist Office but also and especially the Tour Operators.

5-star market sees its occupancy rate climb

Visitor growth has been a boon to the island’s hotel industry.

In the five-star market, occupancy rates increased by 9.3% in 2017, compared with 8.9% the previous year. The current figures are also a significant improvement over the 1.9% gain in 2015.

Most of the major hotel chains are present such as Starwood / Marriott, AccorHotels, Hilton, IHG, Four Seasons, One & Only, Club Med, RIU, Outrigger, Sun Resorts, Shangri-la, Oberoi, Angsana, Constance, and especially Beachcomber.

Beachcomber, a success never denied

Guy Zekri, the general manager of Beachcomber in France, says it himself: »our group necessarily leaves with a definite advantage as far as Mauritius is concerned, given that we are able to integrate accommodation, transfers on site and excursions. We have real expertise in this destination and the Beachcomber Tours teams know the products inside out. Moreover, every new employee with us has to stay in a hotel of the group« . Despite Beachcomber’s power in Mauritius, Guy Zekri has been working hard to increase sales since his arrival in 2016.

Serge Fabre