Tourist arrivals in Mauritius have exceeded the set target of two million since the country opened its borders in October 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Louis Steven Obeegadoo, the Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism, tourist arrivals surpassed the two million mark between October 2021 and September 2023.
Obeegadoo also revealed that tourism earnings for the period from January to July 2023 exceeded MUR 48 billion (approximately €1 billion), compared to MUR 45 billion for the same period in 2019, showcasing the sector’s resilience and growth. Tourism contributes to around 55% of Mauritius’s economic growth and has played a crucial role in the country’s post-COVID-19 recovery.
To further boost the tourism sector, Mauritius plans to consolidate its existing tourist markets, including France, Réunion, Italy, South Africa, and Germany. Additionally, the country aims to explore potential markets such as India, China, northern and eastern Europe, and the Persian Gulf.
Efforts to enhance air connectivity are underway, with negotiations with airlines like Air France and Turkish Airlines to compensate for the loss of seats due to Air Belgium’s flight cancellations. Air Mauritius is increasing its flights to various destinations, further supporting tourism growth.
Mauritius is also looking to diversify its tourism offerings, focusing on cultural tourism and medical and wellness tourism to expand the range of experiences available to tourists. The government is committed to building an inclusive, sustainable, green, and resilient tourism sector, with a 10-year blueprint for the future of the tourism industry under review and set to be presented in the coming year.
These developments highlight Mauritius’s determination to revitalize its tourism sector and drive economic growth through tourism, even in the face of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
