China set to become top tourist source

Rising numbers of Chinese visitors are destined to redefine the island's leisure landscape

When Mark Twain first stepped foot on Mauritius over 120 years ago, he said that the tropical island must have been "made first and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius". Twain's observation still resonates today, with Mauritius inspiring a vision of paradise that is framed by affordable luxury, white sand beaches and volcanic mountain peaks.

It was only a matter of time until word of Mauritius reached China, which today represents one of the island's highest potential markets for tourist growth. The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) is even predicting that China will soon be a top source for arrivals.

"We believe that this year or by 2018, China will join the top group of countries that bring us more than 100,000 visitors each year," said Kevin Ramkaloan, director of the MTPA.

"Asia used to represent 6 percent of our total arrivals (in 2005)," he added. "But now that is up to 18 percent, going on 20 percent."

Overall, arrivals grew by 11 percent from 2015 to October 2016 - twice the world average - to make Mauritius a 1.2-million-strong tourist market, MPTA data shows.

Mauritius' leading hotel groups are already witnessing a steady uptick in tourist numbers.

"Our figures have shown a constant increase during the past year," said Jean Jacques Vallet, CEO of Constance Hotels & Resorts, one of Mauritius' leading providers of luxury hospitality.

"More and more guests are coming to our resorts - some of them renewing the Constance experience in different destinations. This success is further reflected in the numerous awards we received in the past year, including those from World Luxury Travel."

Sustained tourism growth from Asia isn't farfetched considering that China remains the world's top outbound market for tourists, according to the World Tourism Organization, known as UNWTO, with Chinese tourists spending 12 percent more in 2016.

With enhanced connectivity, Mauritius can only expect even higher numbers from the East.

"Asia is the future for Mauritius," said Ramkaloan.

"Air Mauritius is increasing its direct flights from China, and has shifted its hub from Malaysia to Singapore to create the Asia-Africa Corridor."

Between April and November 2016, the Mauritius-Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route generated 20 percent growth in traffic.

For Paul Jones, CEO of LUX* Resorts & Hotels, this is only the beginning.

"LUX*, as well as other hotel groups, can only benefit from these opportunities," Jones said. "We are already in China, and are strengthening our presence there. Invaluable experiences (in China) help us to adapt our services to the needs of Chinese tourists as we welcome an increasing number of them."

(China Daily 05/24/2017 page8)