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MAURITIUS TOURISM INTERVIEW
Mauritius — dedicated to balanced and responsible tourism
Business events (MICE) is an important segment for Mauritius. In a one-on-one interview with Arvind Bundhun, director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), he confirmed this, and outlined growth strategies. South Africa is one of the top five markets for Mauritius.
The MTPA recently organised a visit to South Africa with a delegation of 18 suppliers from Mauritius including MTPA, who put on a three-city roadshow — in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
Mr Bundhun said that sustainability is a key priority for Mauritius. “We are currently working with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and have one particular village in the south of Mauritius certified as sustainable. By 2030, with the help of the private sector, we intend to certify the whole island as sustainable.”
Mauritius is famed for its breathtaking scenery of sandy beaches, mountains, tea estates, waterfalls, forests, and coral-reefed lagoons.
Looking back on the success of the past year, Mr Bundhun stated: “2023 was a good year for Mauritius. Over the calendar year, we set an objective to attain 1.3 million tourists globally, and South Africa performed quite well. We have welcomed 106,169 arrivals from South Africa over 2023, and for 2024, we aim to exceed the 2023 arrival numbers.” The South African market has almost fully recovered.
Air connectivity between the two countries continues to increase. Mr Bundhun pointed out. “Currently, Air Mauritius and SAA operate daily flights from Johannesburg to Mauritius and has recently added two weekly flights from Cape Town, with plans to start direct flights from Durban later in the year.”
Currently, there are three airlines that fly between South Africa and Mauritius.
Sustainability
Additionally, small developing island states like Mauritius confront the impacts of changing climatic conditions daily. This presents a significant challenge for the island nation.
The pursuit of sustainability in Mauritius has been an enduring journey marked by the development of stringent regulations. Construction of properties with over fifty rooms now mandates the inclusion of sewage treatment plants, partial reliance on solar energy, and the use of biodegradable products. Moreover, the ban on single-use plastic and the provision of tax rebates for electric vehicles highlights the commitment to reducing carbon footprints. This dedication to sustainability reflects a broader global awareness of environmental concerns.
Mr Bundhun also mentioned some challenges. “Labour shortage is evident, and finding young qualified, skilled professionals in hospitality is a challenge.”
“Mauritius has got a number of hotel schools, but global recruitment drives are coming to the island for skilled professionals, i.e. cruise ships and recently an American hotel group, which leaves Mauritius with a problem,” he added.
“Amidst these endeavours, the overarching focus remains on sustainable and inclusive tourism development, ensuring the involvement of all Mauritians and equitable distribution of tourism benefits. This steadfast commitment highlights Mauritius’ dedication to balanced and responsible tourism practices,” Mr Bundhun concluded.
There are two MICE incentives currently available. For more information regarding these, please email the local MTPA office, mauritius@meropa.co.za
