Mauritius United Properties

www.newsnow.mu(11/03/2010)

Tourism arrivals were up by 6.6% in February, mainly buoyedby a rebound from the traditional European market. Total arrivals for the monthreached 72,366.

Some 27,900 tourists from France visited Mauritius lastmonth, a rise of 17.6% over the same time last year, confirming the French marketremains our top source of visitors.

The better than expected performance follows a year markedby a 6.5% contraction courtesy of the global economic crisis. Hotels had toresort to cutthroat pricing and aggressive marketing campaigns to keep their businessesticking over.

Since the beginning of the year, the island has maintained agood performance, with 164,223 tourist arrivals recorded for the months ofJanuary and February as compared to 156,483 arrivals for the same months lastyear. This is an increase of 4.9% over the same period in 2009.

The increase is largely attributed to the European marketwith 114,649 arrivals over the past two months. Arrivals from Reunion Islandhave also fared much better than expected with 22,947 visitors representing a12.9% rise over the period. “We are satisfied with these results, despite the factthat the upturn remains slow. The depreciation of the euro is adverselyimpacting the purchasing power of European tourists. There is still work ahead,”said Minister of Tourism, Xavier Duval.

Over the two months, France has pole position with arecorded 57,823 arrivals, representing a rise of 14.7%. Other European marketsthat have performed well are Italy with a 13% increase, and Switzerland with a24.3% rise.

Emerging markets like China and India have bounced back topositive growth rates after the declines experienced last year. Arrivals fromChina increased by 5.3% and arrivals from India by 37.3% over the period.

To further profit from the upturn in the European markets,the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) is currently participating inITB Berlin, an international tourism fair.

Local hoteliers and tourism operators are accompanying theMTPA delegation to the fair. They will showcase their services at the MTPA andAir Mauritius stands.

Germany represents a market with high potential. The nextpromotion campaign for the MTPA will be focused on Germany, with the themeMauritius: My kind of holiday! This campaign will put more emphasis on theMauritian destination catering for all types of holidaymakers.

Moreover, Sun Resort group will showcase its new hotel, theLong Beach, at the launch ceremony of ITB fair in Berlin. The hotel will belocated in Belle Mare on the same site as the Coco Beach, which was pulled downto make way for the new establishment.  Thenew development has cost Rs2.5 billion and will add to the country’s increasingoffer of 5-star hotels. It has been inspired by the 700-metre beach that itoccupies, and will be built over a total land area of 59 arpents. It will havein all 255 rooms with sea view