Passenger traffic 

Total passenger arrivals during the period January to March 2009 numbered 292,400 representing a decline of 13.9 % over the corresponding period of last year.  During the same period, passenger departures numbered 318,000 (-13.2%).

 

Tourist arrivals 

            Tourist arrivals decreased by 9.9% from 261,494 in the first quarter of 2008 to 235,699 in the first quarter of 2009. 

Arrivals from Europe were down by 8.0% to 165,318 with a 2.2% decrease in arrivals from France, our leading market. From the other major generating countries, a decrease in arrivals was noted from Germany (-15.2%), Italy (-14.5%) and United Kingdom (-6.2%).  

Tourist arrivals from Africa went down by 12.9% to 49,049. Arrivals from Republic of South Africa fell by 26.2% while no change is noted from Reunion Island. 

Arrivals from the Asian market contracted by 20.8% to reach 13,200, with India, the major generating country of the continent, registering a fall of 32.4%. The performance of other Asian countries was as follows: United Arab Emirates (-67.5%), Singapore (-53.2%), Hong Kong (-87.1%), Japan (-4.1%) and People’s Republic of China (+10.1%). 

Tourist arrivals from America and Oceania fell by 1.8% and 29.8% respectively. Arrivals from these two continents numbered 7,348 representing only 3.1% of the total. 

Tourism receipts 

            Gross tourism receipts for the first quarter of 2009 were estimated by the Bank of Mauritius at Rs 10,265 million, that is 14.1% lower than that of 2008.

 Hotel Statistics 

            At the end of March 2009, there were 102 registered hotels in operation, with a total room capacity of 11,444 and 23,148 bedplaces. The average room occupancy rate for all hotels for the first quarter of 2009 was 63% while bed occupancy rate averaged 56%.

 

Forecast 2009 

Based on information gathered from the main stakeholders of this sector and a decrease of 9.9% observed during the first quarter of 2009, tourist arrivals for 2009 are forecasted at 835,000, around 10.3% lower than in 2008.

 According to the Bank of Mauritius tourism receipts for the year 2009 will be around Rs 38,173 million (-7.4%) compared to Rs 41,213 million a year earlier.

May 2009