Mauritius - Tourism

Enquire about Mauritius Holidays

When are you thinking of travelling?

100% Privacy Guaranteed

Like many reputable holiday companies we are ABTA registered, our ABTA membership number is 65310.

We also use ATOL protected tour operators. However if you wish to use a tour operator who is not ATOL protected then we will take our supplier failure insurance on your behalf.

For full details click here

The first tourists to arrive in Mauritius by air were 50 passengers and crew on a Qantas flight from Australia to South Africa, who landed in 1952. The airline agents were asked in advance to find overnight accommodation for them and, seeing the possibilities, bought a colonial mansion in Curepipe. This became the Park Hotel and is now the administrative offices of the island’s Beachcomber group of hotels.

Today, tourism is the island’s third-largest foreign-exchange earner after the EPZ and sugar. The industry provides employment for nearly 30,000 people. Since earnings from tourism circulate very quickly into the economy, the impact is considerable. However, tourism has also been a factor in the increase in imports, especially foodstuffs.

In 2011, Mauritius attracted around 965,000 tourists. Of these, 12% came from Réunion, 9% came from the UK, around 6% from Germany, 9% from South Africa, 5% from India and 2% from Australia. France (excluding Réunion) topped the charts with 31% of tourist arrivals. Russia and China are becoming increasingly important markets for the Mauritian tourism industry and in 2011 arrivals from those countries rose 85% and 99% respectively against the previous year’s figures.

The popularity of Mauritius with French tourists is not only because of the common language; with cheap flights from France to Réunion and a separate ticket on to Mauritius, the French can reach Mauritius at much less expense than their European neighbours flying direct. For them, too, the cost of living in Mauritius is remarkably low compared with that of France and Réunion. Many – whether affluent middle-aged or youthful backpackers – visit as independent travellers and keep the non-package hotels and guesthouses and self-catering units in business.

Studies have been made on the careful development of tourism in the future and the prospects are, with careful management, that tourism will continue to be an asset and not a blight on the island.

At present the government policy of preserving Mauritius as an upmarket destination continues. Charter flights are not allowed and the emphasis throughout the industry is on quality rather than quantity.

In recent years, the global economic slowdown has taken its toll on the tourism industry. However, the island retains the numerous assets that set it apart from its competitors, including beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels, exceptional service and a fascinating blend of cultures. These assets, if well managed, will stand it in good stead for the future.

The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority is responsible for marketing the country as a tourist destination. As well as offices in Port Louis, the MTPA has representatives in many counties worldwide (see Chapter 2, Tourist information, page 44).

Get prices for Mauritius Holidays

When are you thinking of travelling?