Africa-Press – Mauritius. One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius’ first large-scale international luxury resort, celebrated its golden jubilee, yesterday, during a commemorative ceremony attended by the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and senior representatives of Kerzner International. A special plaque was unveiled to honour five decades of pioneering hospitality, cultural authenticity and unwavering commitment to the heritage of Mauritius.
Opened in 1975, One&Only Le Saint Géran transformed the then-emerging tourism landscape by setting a new benchmark for luxury rooted in the country’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people. Founded by South African hospitality visionary Sol Kerzner, the resort became the birthplace of what evolved into the global One&Only brand.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Ramgoolam reflected on the tourism industry’s evolution. He paid tribute to the early visionaries of Mauritian tourism—Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Mr Amédée Maingard and Sir Gaëtan Duval—whose efforts in the 1970s laid the foundations for a strong public–private partnership. Tourism is a central pillar of the national economy—an engine of growth that supports around 150,000 jobs and provides a vital source of livelihood for families across the country, he said.
He recalled that the sector’s remarkable growth, with annual tourist arrivals having jumped from around 70,000 in the 1970s to a projected 1.4 million in 2025, adding that tourism revenues are forecast to exceed Rs 100 billion. However, the Prime Minister cautioned that challenges persist, including escalating operational costs, safety concerns and the impacts of climate change.
According to Dr Ramgoolam, global trends in sustainable tourism require Mauritius to reassess its strategy for the sector and adopt a broader sustainability agenda in line with evolving travel expectations. Government, he emphasised, will continue to develop the tourism industry with a strong focus on sustainability.
With tourist arrivals expected to approach two million in the near future, Dr Ramgoolam pointed out that the airport will need to be expanded, additional hotels constructed and supporting infrastructure strengthened to meet rising demand. Government’s vision is to position Mauritius as a world-class, green and secure destination, emphasising that diversification will be a key element of this strategy.
Dr Ramgoolam stated that Government aims to preserve the cultural fabric of the country while expanding key tourism segments such as medical wellness, eco-sports and conferences.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister announced plans for major institutional reforms, such as the restructuring of the Police Force and the establishment of a National Crime Agency, aimed at reinforcing both visitor and citizen security. Mauritius’ credibility, he said, depends on robust physical safety as much as uninterrupted digital connectivity.
Addressing the audience, the President of One&Only, Mr Mark Kirby, reflected on the resort’s remarkable legacy. He noted that Kerzner International was the first major international hospitality group to invest in Mauritius—an investment that profoundly transformed the country’s luxury landscape, set new standards for excellence and strengthened Mauritius’ global positioning. “This anniversary reaffirms our commitment to shaping the future of ultra-luxury in Mauritius and staying true to the spirit of Mauritius,” he said.
As for the General Manager of One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mr Roman Goetsch, he said that this milestone honours employees’ loyalty. “It also reaffirms our dedication to supporting local communities, nurturing Mauritian talent and contributing to the island’s sustainable development,” he added.
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