INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Year 2010 - Highlights

Passenger traffic

Total passenger arrivals for the year 2010 numbered 1,252,038 representing an increase of 8.3% over the figure of 1,156,579 for the preceding year. During the same year 2010, passenger departures numbered 1,257,008 (+9.0%).

Tourist arrivals

Tourist arrivals for the year 2010 attained 934,827. This represents an increase of 7.3% over the figure of 871,356 registered in 2009.

Arrivals from Europe increased by 4.5% to 605,401 with a 9.6% rise in arrivals from France, our leading market. As regards the other major tourist generating countries, the following performances were recorded in arrivals: Germany (+3.1%), Italy (-0.3%) and United Kingdom (-4.4%).

Tourist arrivals from Africa expanded by 10.7% to 226,207. Arrivals from Reunion Island grew by 9.5% while those from the Republic of South Africa, our other major market of the region, went up by 9.8%.

Tourist arrivals from the Asian market went up by 22.3% to reach 75,985, with India, the major generating country of the continent, registering an increase of 26.8%. The performance of other Asian countries was as follows: Malaysia (+23.5%), Singapore (+15.2%), United Arab Emirates (+10.5%), People’s Republic of China (+9.9%), Japan (+9.9%) and Hong Kong (+8.6%).

Tourist arrivals from Oceania rose by 9.9% and those from America increased by 4.8%. Arrivals from these two continents numbered 25,949 representing 2.8% of tourist arrivals.

Tourism receipts

Gross tourism receipts for the year 2010 were estimated by the Bank of Mauritius at Rs 39,456 million, that is, an increase of 10.5% compared to Rs 35,693 million for 2009.

Hotel Statistics

At the end of December 2010, there were 115 registered hotels of which 112 were in operation, with a total room capacity of 12,075 and 24,698 bedplaces. The average room occupancy rate for all hotels in 2010 was 65% while bed occupancy rate averaged 57%.

Forecast 2011

Based on recent data available on tourist arrivals and information gathered from stakeholders, forecast of tourist arrivals for 2011 has been revised upwards to 980,000. This represents an increase of 4.8% over the figure of 934,827 in 2010.

According to the Bank of Mauritius, tourism receipts for the year 2011 would be around Rs 42,500 million (+7.7 %) compared to Rs 39,456 million in 2010.

February 2011

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