Bloomberg: Mauritius Needs More Air Flights

A November 23 (2011) report from Bloomberg highlights the need for more flights to Mauritius to keep up with burgeoning hotel capacity. Bloomberg's information comes from the Association des Hoteliers et Restaurateurs de l'Ile Maurice, the leading trade organization for the Mauritian hotel and restaurant industry. According to the Association, the 2011 occupancy rate for Mauritian hotels will finish at about 65%. However, that's expected to increase in the coming years if flights are increased in line with the ever-growing number of available beds.

The association's chief executive officer, Jocelyn Kwok, noted that bed capacity has increased 15% over the last four years while flight capacity has fallen by 2%. Part of the disparity can be attributed to protectionist policies used in recent years by Air Mauritius to retain an almost exclusive lock on flights coming in and off the island. But at start of the year Air Mauritius seemingly abandoned that philosophy and has since worked to open up Mauritian skies to other airlines.

In fact, as reported earlier this week, British Airways has transferred the hub of its pleasure travel business from Heathrow to Gatwick, and is increasing flights to many of its most sought-after destinations, including Mauritius. Furthermore, the airline just announced a flight schedule change which will allow tourists visiting Mauritius an extra day on the island. More flights could be added early next year as well. In addition, Air Mauritius noted that a prominent Asian airline, which it hasn't yet identified, will also be adding new flights in early 2012.

With plane seat capacity growing tourist officials expect hotel bookings to increase through 2013. They are especially excited about the industry's new emphasis on Mauritius family hotels as a way to promote the island ad more than just a romantic getaway for beach weddings and honeymoons. The Mauritian tourist industry is actively working on expanding family-based holidays through more activities, family-friendly accommodations, and even new construction projects currently under way.

Mauritius is focusing their family-friendly effort on activities that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. At the heart of those activities is the island's wide range of water sports which include everything from parasailing and kite surfing to deep-sea fishing and diving. The golfing sector has even gotten in on the act by developing family focused golf holidays which provide instruction and tee times for golfers of all ages and abilities. And if you know anything about golf in Mauritius, the island has some of the most spectacular courses in the world.

Mauritius leads the way in Indian Ocean travel primarily because they are proactive in developing both their brand and natural environment. If the nation's hotel and restaurant sector are correct in their assessments, the next two years could be extremely profitable for the Mauritian tourism industry. That would be great news for everyone involved.

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Economic Freedom Stimulates Mauritian Tourism Sector

Silicon India has just released its list of top 10 countries with the most economic freedom; a list which has garnered some interesting results. As far as Mauritius is concerned, it ranked first among 46 countries in Africa and the sub-Saharan region, as well as extremely high among all developed countries around the world. This economic freedom has spurred private sector growth, foreign and national investment, and confidence in both the tourism industry and arrivals coming to the island.

Central to their success is the fact that the Mauritian government plays very little direct role in economic development while keeping taxes and regulations as competitive as possible. Rather than trying to control markets through government fiat, Mauritius tends to allow the private sector to manage the open market system. Lest anybody disagree with their philosophy, it's hard to argue with the results. Mauritius has the strongest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of the strongest economies in the world, on a per-capita basis.

This can be seen throughout the Mauritian tourism industry in terms of the amount of new investment continuing to flow into the island. Among some of the developments over the last couple of years is a strong push by resort operators to make Mauritius the golfing capital of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius golf holidays are not only allowing arrivals to play on excellent championship-level courses, but many are developing complete packages which include instruction for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

What's more quite a few of the resorts are working together to offer golf packages which allow guests to play multiple courses during their stay. And the island has managed to land two major golf tournaments in 2011 that combine the best pros and their amateur counterparts. Much of this success may not have been possible had the Mauritian government insisted on continuing its previous philosophies of government-owned business and tight state regulation.

Another burgeoning sector in Mauritian tourism is the family holiday. More and more resorts are adopting family-friendly activities and renovating some of their guest rooms to make them practical for families. Things will only get better with a very ambitious construction project that has been undertaken in the northern part of the island; a project which will develop a brand-new, all-inclusive entertainment complex to include at least two new hotels and a theme park. The 10-year project is designed to be extremely family-friendly as a means of attracting new visitors and keeping them in the region.

Most Europeans know Mauritius for her stunning beaches and gorgeous tropical weather. But if not for a concerted effort by the Mauritian government to allow the economy to expand on its own, much of what we enjoy might not otherwise be accessible. Thankfully, free enterprise reigns in Mauritius, making it the perfect environment for a thriving tourism industry.

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Tourist Revenues Continue Upward Trend in Mauritius

Industry experts have been closely watching Mauritian tourism ever since the start of the 2011 calendar year. Almost immediately they began noticing a jump in the number of arrivals to the island, usually hovering around 4.5% to 5% per month. By early summer arrivals had increased some 7%, even as the Mauritian government was in full court press promoting the island around the world as a top-notch holiday destination. Their efforts appear to be continuing to pay off according to recent statistics just announced by the Bank of Mauritius.

As reported by Reuters, the Bank of Mauritius announced earlier this week that tourism revenues rose by some 9.7% over the twelve months ending on August 31. For that same period in 2009/2010, revenue stood at approximately 37.8 billion rupees as opposed to the 41.5 billion rupees realised this year. That's quite an economic boost when one considers the fact that tourism makes up roughly 10% of the Mauritian GDP. The revenue increase simply adds to what is already one of the best economies in the Indian Ocean region.

In addition to revenues being up, the total number of arrivals also increased from 903,867 in 2010 to 963,078 this year. That's an increase of nearly 7%, keeping in line with the numbers being recorded in June and July. Overall the tourism picture in Mauritius looks very good for 2011. Government officials are hoping to see even better numbers as the peak travel season opens in December. With the addition of a pro golf tournament and a couple of other special events, Mauritius should see good numbers through December and into 2012.

Experts attribute much of the increase to a better economy in Europe, which supplies nearly 2/3 of the region's annual visitors. But they also don't discount the Herculean efforts made by the Ministry of Tourism to boost the island's profile. In addition to working on quite a bit of self-promotion, Mauritius has also joined with the Vanilla Islands cooperative that seeks to promote the entire Indian Ocean region in a joint effort.

Amidst all of the good news this might be the perfect time for Mauritius family holidays. With the winter season fast approaching in Europe, families looking for fun in the sun leading up to the Christmas holidays could choose no better destination. Mauritius offers great luxury resorts, exquisite dining, inspiring culture and history, natural tropical beauty, white sand beaches, and of course, some of the most consistently spectacular weather anywhere on the planet.

UK travellers should find Mauritius especially attractive due to the fact that this past summer was nothing to cheer about. And now that they are in the full throes of autumn, the traditionally warm and sunny European destinations in Spain and southern France are cooling down as well. This is a perfect time to get a flight and escape to a beautiful tropical environment. There are still plenty of flights available as well as resorts for every taste and budget.

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Four Seasons Offers a New Way to See Mauritius

More often than not, tourists to Mauritius tend to embark upon traditional sightseeing tours with trained guides who show them the way. While this method of seeing the Indian Ocean island is certainly a viable one, those who prefer a more adventurous sightseeing tour done independently of large groups now have an interesting new option. The new program is being offered by the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius located at Anahita, in the south east of the island.

So what is this adventurous new sightseeing program? It is something being described by the hotel chain as a "top-down" tour. The tour is developed by the Four Seasons staff tailored to show tourists the best parts of the island that would particularly appeal to their tastes and interests. The tour data is downloaded into the satellite navigation system of a convertible Mini Cooper that the registered guests then use to embark on their own tour, at their own schedule.

The best thing about these tours is that there are four different itineraries to choose from. The choices are designated as Adrenaline (for those looking for exciting adventure), Culinary (focused on fine dining and food), Family (packed with family oriented activities), and Scenic (dedicated to showing guests the best of Mauritius' natural beauty). The scenic tour takes guests to the Black River National Park and the World Heritage Site at Le Mourne.

The tours are marketed as a great alternative for Mauritius family holidays because they allow for parents and their children to experience a wide range of activities they might not otherwise be exposed to. Where mother and father might prefer a culinary tour on one day, they could satisfy the desires of the children with a family tour on the next. Having such a good variety means there is something for every family member to enjoy.

In addition to driving the Mini Cooper from one site to the next, guests will engage in other activities such as hiking, biking, kite surfing, windsurfing, and dining at some of the world’s most interesting restaurants. Far from just sitting in a car all day, these new mini tours provide plenty of activity to keep guests busy for hours. Though they may be tired at the end of the day, it will be with the satisfaction of knowing great things experiences were enjoyed by all.

The tropical environment and natural beauty of Mauritius makes this island the ideal place for The Four Seasons mini tours. If they prove to be successful here it is possible the hotel chain will implement them elsewhere. If you're heading to Mauritius for a holiday this winter, you could be one of the first guests to utilize the service. The Four Seasons would be happy to provide you with your own customized tour that will make your stay in Mauritius a memorable one.

Mauritius Holidays Direct, the luxury holiday company based in the UK, is your best option for Mauritius family holidays, beach weddings, and romantic honeymoons.

New Mauritian Dam to Spur Further Economic Development

A project to build a new dam in Mauritius, set to get under way on December 1, is expected to help further economic development in the country's capital city of Port St. Louis, as well as some of the smaller towns downstream. The project will create an artificial reservoir through a dam across the Terre Rouge River, on the north-west portion of the island. When it's complete, the 14.2 million m³ reservoir will become instrumental in the Mauritian effort to maintain responsible water conservation.

The new dam is being built by China's Three Gorgeous Corporation, the operator of that country's largest and most notable water conservation project. It will cost a projected USD $112 million with a completion schedule of about three years. The new dam has already been given a name: the Bagatelle dam.

A similar dam project developed around the turn-of-the-century was an immediate success in helping Mauritius control its potable drinking water supply. Although she is a tropical island in the midst the Indian Ocean, potable water has long been a problem in Mauritius as the government pours most of its resources into the tourist industry, leaving inland towns and cities with poor infrastructure. Building these dam projects means that clean drinking water will be available in those areas as well.

Furthermore, building dams such as Bagatelle help to create a more inviting environment for business development. When dams go in, new towns and their accompanying businesses are born. The Mauritian government is hoping that the economic activity resulting from this new dam will be good for everyone, especially the tourist industry. Tourism still accounts for the largest percentage of the Mauritian GDP and foreign currency, so it must be preserved.

Holidays to Mauritius should only get better with the building of the new dam. But even without that project, this island nation has been a favourite European holiday destination for generations. Being able to visit an island that has been significantly influenced by both the British and the French, means Europeans are able to get a glimpse of a colonial past in a tropical environment where peace and tranquillity are the norm.

The island has always been known for incredible natural beauty, crystal-clear water alive with water sports, an intriguing indigenous culture, interesting and tasteful cuisine, and of course, near-perfect weather year-round. In recent years Mauritius has also been trying to develop itself as a great getaway for sports-related activities. They have been developing their golf industry as well as attracting professional sports like surfing and kite-surfing.

As many of the downstream towns and cities realize a consistent supply of potable water economic development will soon follow. That means more opportunities for business, more places to see for visitors, and a healthier environment all the way around. The Mauritian tourist industry extends an invitation to you to consider visiting their island on your next holiday trip. They are ready with plenty of bed capacity and all of the amenities necessary to make your trip one you'll never forget.

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LHW Bringing Father Christmas to Mauritius

Leading Hotels of the World, operators of the Royal Palm Hotel in Mauritius, have announced plans for this year's Christmas day celebration. It includes bringing Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus in other parts of the world, to the beach-side resort on the morning of December 25. The program is designed to provide Christmas entertainment and celebration to the resort's guests during the Christmas holiday season.

According to the announcement, Father Christmas will make the rounds visiting all of the LHW properties around the world, finishing up his travels on Mauritius on Christmas morning. After appearing in Seychelles he will make his way across the Indian Ocean and arrive in Mauritius on water skis. At the conclusion of the aquatic program the jolly old elf will disappear from view and reappear in the resort's lounge area. From there the children will be invited into the hotel's kids club to receive gifts. The entire celebration will close out with a special Christmas show.

LHW decided to provide the Christmas celebration so that parents won't have to miss out on an age-old tradition if they choose to take holidays to Mauritius. Having the island play host to the final appearance of the season also plays into the long-held tradition that Father Christmas takes a tropical vacation after finishing his global rounds. It's an added bonus for the younger kids who can then lay claim to the fact that they enjoyed the tropics with one of the most famous international celebrities.

November through January marks the peak travel season in Mauritius so interested travellers should not delay in making the reservations if they want to be at the Royal Palm on Christmas morning. In addition to the special Christmas day program, guests will be treated to a fine luxury resort which knows how to cater to their guests every whim. From the accommodations to the beach to the resort facilities, the Royal Palm is a quality resort.

Elsewhere on the island, guests at all of the resorts will enjoy the perfect tropical weather while relishing the fact that their loved ones back home are fully ensconced in winter. Golfers will be enjoying one of the island's eight championship-level courses in shorts, T-shirts, and sunglasses. Kids will be building sand castles on the beach while couples will go on for long strolls among tropical green gardens. There's no better way to spend your Christmas holidays then an extended stay on Mauritius.

If you've already made plans for Christmas, there is still occupancy for October, November, and even next spring. Regardless of the season you visit, Mauritius always has plenty to offer by way of culture, history, water sports, shopping, and other activities. The island also boasts resorts and hotels to fit every budget and taste. So if you're planning to leave home to travel abroad for holidays, there's really no reason for you not to consider Mauritius.

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Mauritius to Open New Tourism Academy

Hospitality and tourism is at the centre of the Mauritian economy, so what better place to open a tourism and hospitality academy than this tropical paradise. That's the plan, according to an official announcement from the country's Minister for Tertiary Education. The announcement was made last week as part of the opening of a conference attended by representatives from 20 different countries focusing on sustainable tourism.

Among the conferences attendees were representatives from Bedfordshire University in London, who are expected to land support in terms of technical assistance and quality assurance. They also will be acting in an advisory role in helping the new academy offer educational programs worthy of globally accepted diplomas. It's not yet clear whether the Academy will remain independent or become part of the Mauritius University system. One thing is for sure, the new school will be targeting students from both home and abroad.

The government's announcement to build the school is the latest in an ongoing flow of good news coming out of Mauritian tourist industry since the start of the year. It follows on the heels of a recent announcement that the Emirates would be increasing its flights servicing Mauritius from 9 to 11 weekly. In addition, air Mauritius has increased its own flight schedule and reached agreements with British Airways and a prominent Asian airline to bring more flights in. All of this activity is motivating further economic investment in Mauritius, which is good for everyone.

Tourists looking for Mauritius luxury holidays stand to benefit the most, however. The number of options in terms of resort locations, flights, activities, and prices is steadily increasing with each passing month. And as economic options increase, more and more travellers are expected to take advantage of them. Already Mauritius is seeing about 5% increase across the board for 2011. That increase portends good things as the Indian Ocean turns the corner into the fall season.

Of course, the biggest draw for this island is its gorgeous tropical weather and stunning natural surroundings. Visitors coming from Europe, Asia, and North America, where climates can be extreme between the four seasons, find the consistent tropical climate of the Indian Ocean area very inviting. They also find peace and relaxation in the quiet surroundings of the Mauritian Island. Without endless traffic, activity, and the distractions of everyday life, travellers are able to enjoy a week or two in total, tropical bliss.

Mauritius hopes to train both its own native sons and students from abroad how to make the most of tourist opportunities. The success Mauritius has enjoyed thus far should translate into high-quality, educational programs that benefit tourism operators around the world. And as an added bonus, students wishing to learn all about the tourist trade now have one of the most heavenly places on earth to receive their education.

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