India to be Primary Strategic Source Market for Mauritius Tourism

Company Brief

India, July 17, 2012

Hon. Minister Michael Sik Yuen, Ministry of Tourism & Leisure along with Mrs Premila Roy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Dr. Karl Mootoosamy Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and other high level delegates are taking a progressive step forward in consolidating its presence in the India Market.

With India being the strategic market, Mauritius Tourism Minister along with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority aims to expand and highlight the diverse product offering of the destination within the Travel Trade Fraternity and other key stakeholders in India.

Mr. Michael SIK YUEN, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Government of Mauritius, is on a business visit to tap the growing potential of the outbound market in India. The honourable Minister aspires to interface with the Indian travel trade fraternity in the top outbound producing cities of India - Mumbai and New Delhi.

Keeping in sight the Indian outbound market growth and augmenting the first mover advantage that destination Mauritius has established in the Indian market, Mr. Michael Sik Yuen, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Government of Mauritius highlights “Mauritius has received a prominent increase from the Indian market not only in arrivals but also on the yields. The average per person spent by Indian Travelers i.e. USD 360 per person per day, is contributing significantly to the tourism receipts of the destination. We intend to enhance this yield by targeting 100,000 arrivals in near future, where as destination received 53,955 arrivals in the year 2011 from India with an increase of 8.4%. Mauritius with its multi faceted offering is a perfect holiday getaway for Indians and offers a wide selection of accommodation along with multifaceted activities to indulge in.”

A recent trend indicates that over 75% of the Indians who travel to the destination opt for top of the line accommodations and spend heavily on activities like Sky Diving, Quad Bike, Segway, Wind Surfing, Water Skiing, Sub-Scooter, Submarine, Walk with the Lions, etc apart from the run of the mill. The more avid traveler focuses on soft adventures, safaris, self drive options, and spa breaks. More and more Indian Travelers are keen on exploring Mauritius in style, experiencing luxurious sailing & yachting options.

Dr. Karl Mootoosamy, Director – Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, further adds “Promoting Mauritius as a lifestyle statement and a shopping destination in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority has successfully organized the region’s newest shopping extravaganza, Mauritius Shopping Fiesta (MSF) from June 29 to 05 August 2012, attracting the consumer base of high – spending Tourists seeking unique activity based indulgences. Mauritius, being synonymous to fashion, glamour and luxury, organizing the Mauritius Shopping Fiesta is a perfect match and a great opportunity to penetrate the fashion and shopping segment. ”

In continuation of the association with Miss India’s in the past, Ms Rochelle Maria Rao, Miss India 2011 was invited to be a part of the Mauritius Carnival held on 1st of July 2012. Ms Rochelle Maria Rao got an overwhelming response in Mauritius and further enhanced the Indian connect.

Factors like top of the line product offering, concept holidays, proximity to the destination, direct air connectivity, option of dual destination visit and visa on arrival facility makes Mauritius a viable choice for an ultimate luxury escape for the globetrotting Indian Traveller.

Mauritius has now emerged as an epitome for Indian Weddings. India being one of the fastest growing economies has an affluent segment of destination weddings. Destination Mauritius has all the key ingredients, which has been enabling the destination to tap into this segment. Taking one step further MTPA enhances promoting the destination as a Wedding destination on a larger scale, since most hotels offer extensive wedding & honeymoon packages, which can become one stop for wedding & honeymoon.

Hon. Minister further elaborated on Mauritius - leadership role in the Indian Ocean region. Mauritius is focused on bridging Indian clients to South Africa. Further our ambition is to provide excellent access from Mauritius into African continent thus making Mauritius an ideal gateway to various countries in Africa.

The Mauritius delegation led by Hon. Minister will be holding discussions with various key stakeholders and based on the inputs and discussions, special incentives for MICE segment will be announced very soon.

Air Mauritius that plays a vital role in providing direct access to the Island destination from India and has connected all the prominent Indian metro cities and has enhanced the flight capacity from India. Currently national carrier has been operating 4 flights per week out of Mumbai and based on the positive results has expressed an ambition to introduce 5th flight very soon.

For further information, please contact:

TRAC Representations

Sandhya Hiteshi

Mobile: +919899639478

Email: pr1@tracrep.com