The annual average rate of inflation in the tiny Indian Ocean state of Mauritius eased for the second consecutive month in January, according to a report from Reuters today. The fall opens a window for the central bank to lower interest rates, spurring growth and promising great tourism deals. The stabilising of prices means that Mauritius last minute deals for tourists this spring could represent great value and will further add to the attraction of the island as tourist destination.
Wednesday’s official data saw the inflations rate falling by one percentage point to 6.4 per cent. Although the year-on-year rate remains unchanged at 4.8 per cent, according to calculations by Thomson-Reuters, this compares favourably with the International Monetary fund’s estimate last month of 5 per cent for this year. The costs of housing and fuel rose 3.8 per cent in January and restaurant and hotel prices by 3.6 per cent, but local analysts put this down to peak usage during the high tourist season. That view is supported by a reported rise of only 0.8 per cent in food costs.
The slowing of inflation is great news for tourists from the northern hemisphere looking for a Mauritius last minute travel bargain. It means that the operating costs of the hospitality industry are remaining stable, while occupancy is falling following the peak season, leaving hotels in a good position to offer last minute deals in late winter and early spring in the northern hemisphere.
This makes the island, with its key beach attractions and luxury resorts, a desirable destination for tourists reeling from the freezing temperatures of the 2011-2012 European winter, and has buoyed the spirits of hotel and tour operators as they prepare to offer Mauritius last minute deals.
The subtropical island with its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches is a perfect destination for the northern spring, as the dry season begins in May, and will certainly not disappoint tourists seeking bargains in Mauritius last minute deals.
With the Bank of Mauritius trimming is key repo points on the basis of weak business confidence stemming from global uncertainty, the outlook was somewhat bleak for the island until these new inflation figures were released. A Reuter’s poll showed that inflation and interest rates could be expected to remain more or less stable despite the toll taken by the euro zone crisis on exports. The same poll forecast price stability by comparison with other African states, and predicted an average inflation rate of 5 per cent over the next two years.
This combination of factors appears to promise moderate good news for the island itself in the long term and excellent news in the short term for holidaymakers seeking to get away to this usually pricey Indian Ocean destination when they book Mauritius last minute deals.
The deals available are expected to be reflected in the Indian Ocean packages to the Indian Ocean which are a speciality of Mauritius holidays direct, the holiday company based in the UK.
