Mauritius ups unique offerings

MAURITIUS planned to
host more social and
cultural events as it sought
to establish itself as a
destination where there
was “always something
happening”, chairman of the
Mauritius Tourism Promotion
Authority, Arnaud Martin, told
delegates at a recent event
in Johannesburg.
Arnaud said Mauritius had
enjoyed an 11% increase in
South African tourist arrivals
for the year ending August
31, 2015. SA is the fifth
biggest market for Mauritius.
“We host about 90 000
South Africans every year and
this has become one of our
primary markets,” he said.
“We have created a series
of sporting and cultural
events to show that there
is more to Mauritius than
beautiful resorts,” Arnaud
said. The Sunshine Tour,
European Tour and Asian
Tour have been combined
to create a tri-continent
golfing tournament that will
be hosted on the island.
Additionally, a seven-a-side
rugby tournament will be
hosted in October, which will
involve the Springboks.
The weak rand was also
a benefit leading into the
upcoming holiday peak
season, as travellers who, for
instance, were prepared to
travel to Europe might opt for
Mauritius, said MTPA director,
Kevin Ramkaloan.
He added that, while the
MICE industry was not a
primary market for Mauritius,
it was part of the growth
strategy. “Of the 90 000
South African tourists we
had last year, 90% visited
for tourism purposes. So
leisure will remain our core
market out of South Africa,”
he said. “But there is an
opportunity for MICE that
has not been tapped into
as yet – especially for the
niche products we can add to
incentive trips.”