Africa-Press – Mauritius. Mauritius will host the next meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in 2023 and this will provide visibility for Mauritius during the holding of the event, stated the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo this afternoon, during a press conference at the seat of the Ministry of Tourism in Port Louis.
The participation of Mauritius at the 65th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa held in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, from 05 to 07 October 2022 was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister adding that Mauritius occupying the position of Vice-President of the Executive Council of the UNWTO shows that the country is a reference and a leader for regional tourism for Small Island Developing States.
The meeting, he pointed out, regrouping 50 countries, had as objectives for ministers to share perspectives on challenges posed by the COVID-19 with emphasis to rethink on employment and resilience so to better prepare for future shocks.
It also aimed to promote tourism in a resilient way for inclusive socio-economic development, he said. Exchanges with the Prime Minister of Tanzania, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, the Malagasy Minister of Tourism and other African Ministers were also on the agenda at the conference, Mr Obeegadoo indicated.
He also spoke of the presence of Mauritius at the executive meeting of the UNWTO to be held this November in Morocco. Referring to the latest statistics provided by Statistics Mauritius on the tourism sector, Mr Obeegadoo indicated that Mauritius is on the right track.
For the month of September 2022, there were more than 81 000 tourists in the country despite low tourist season. It has been a remarkable performance with a recovery rate of 81% for the last three months compared to the last three months of the same period before COVID-19, he pointed out.
Other statistical figures elaborated by the Deputy Prime Minister are as follows: for the period 01 October 2021 to 30 September 2022, the number of passengers stood at 1 069 654 and 808 652 tourist arrivals and for the period 01 January 2022 to 30 September 2022, the passenger arrivals were 850 527 and 638 332 tourists.
Regarding the recovery rate for traditional markets, he observed that there are more tourists coming from United Kingdom with an average rate of 105.4 % compared to figures of the same period in 2019.
The average recovery rate for other markets for the period of July to September 2022 are: Germany 98.1%, France 90.6%, Switzerland 82.7%, South Africa 81.1%, India 70.7%, Italy 69.6% and Reunion Island 58.9%.
As for the recovery rate of opportunity markets with touristic potentials for Mauritius for period July to September 2022, the figures are as follows: United Arab Emirates 136.6%, Russia 125.9%, Austria 119.8%, Belgium 113.4%, Saudi Arabia 103.7%, Czech Republic 97.3% and Spain 83.2%.
These performances are encouraging and clear indicators of the diversification of our markets, he said. Mr Obeegadoo further dwelt on the increase in the length of stay of tourists for the period of January to September 2022 standing at 12.3 compared to January to September 2019 with 10.8.
DPM Obeegadoo pointed out that the sector is recovering as the average spending per tourist and the length of stay in Mauritius have increased by 30% in dollar terms despite the decrease in tourist arrivals for July 2022 with a total of 94 084 compared to 115 448 in 2019.
He expressed optimism that with these figures, the set goal of one million of tourist arrivals could be attained. Deputy Prime Minister Obeegadoo also elaborated on the concerted efforts to increase air connectivity for the end of year season.
They are as follows: As from 01 October 2022, there are no longer two but three flights from Dubai to Mauritius and Turkish Airlines has seven flights weekly.
As from the end of October, Air France from four will have seven weekly flights and Corsair will have six weekly flights instead of five. Condor will have four instead of three flights and Neos Air will have one weekly flight in December.
As from November, Air Austral will have two weekly flights to Mauritius from Reunion Island and one weekly flight to Rodrigues. As from mid-December, South African Airways will have seven instead of four flights weekly and Air Mauritius as from 15 November will have two weekly flights to Cape Town.
With regard to the lack of human resources in the sector, he stated that a workshop will be organised by November 2022 regrouping all concerned partners to look for ways to motivate and attract youngsters to this sector.
Another workshop will be held by December, he highlighted, to think of the Mauritian tourism product which will be beyond Sun Sea and Sand. The danger for the tourism industry, however he underscored, is the global economic situation prevailing with high inflation rates on the main markets.
Other issues brought forth during the press conference include air connectivity and seating capacity which he stated remains a concern. Mr Obeegadoo pointed out that the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.
is deploying all means to further tap into main and opportunity markets. He spoke of his recent mission at the “Salon du Tourisme” at Paris and a forthcoming one in London to further promote the Mauritius destination.
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