International Travel & Tourism- Year 2008

International Travel & Tourism
Year 2008
Highlights

Passenger traffic

Total passenger arrivals for the year 2008 numbered 1,226,428 representing an increase of 4.2% over the preceding year. During the same year, passenger departures numbered 1,206,749 (+2.6%).

Tourist arrivals

Tourist arrivals grew by 2.6% from 906,971 in 2007 to 930,456 in 2008.

Arrivals from Europe increased by 2.1% to 608,358 with the following changes in the major generating countries: France (+8.3%), United Kingdom (+0.6%), Italy (-4.4%) and Germany (-5.6%).

Tourist arrivals from Africa grew by 1.4% to 213,868 with increases of 0.4% in arrivals from Reunion Island and 3.3% from Republic of South Africa, the two major markets of the region.

Arrivals from the Asian market increased by 6.3% to reach 72,771, with India, the major generating country of the continent, registering a growth of 2.2%.

Tourist arrivals from Oceania decreased by 2.4% while arrivals from America went up by 31.0%. Arrivals from these two continents represented only 3.6% of the total.

Tourism receipts

Gross tourism receipts for the year 2008 were estimated by the Bank of Mauritius at Rs 41,213 million, i.e. an increase of 1.3% compared to
Rs 40,687 for 2007.

Hotel Statistics

At the end of December 2008, there were 102 registered hotels in operation, with a total room capacity of 11,488 and 23,095 bedplaces. The average room occupancy rate for all hotels was 68% while bed occupancy rate averaged 61%.

Forecast 2009

A slowdown in the number of tourist arrivals is expected in 2009 due to economic downturn observed in our main markets. At this point in time, lack of visibility does not allow for a reasonable forecast.

February 2009

More: International Travel & Tourism- Year 2008

Introduction

Table 1 Passenger Traffic by month, 2006 - 2008

Table 2 Departure of Mauritian residents by country of disembarkation, 2007 and 2008

Table 3 Tourist arrivals by month, 2006 - 2008

Table 4 Tourist arrivals by main purpose of visit, 2007 and 2008

Table 5 Tourist arrivals by country of residence, 2007 and 2008

Table 6 Tourist arrivals, nights and receipts, 2005 - 2008

Table 7 Hotels, rooms and bedplaces, 2005 - 2008

Table 8 Monthly occupancy rates (%) for All hotels and "Large" hotels, 2006 - 2008

Table 9 Employment in the tourist industry as at end of March, 2004 - 2008