INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM

January to September 2011 - Highlights

Passenger traffic

Total passenger arrivals for the period January to September 2011 numbered 918,778 representing an increase of 4.4% over the figure of 879,833 for the corresponding period of the preceding year. During the same period, passenger departures numbered 947,927 (+3.6%).

Tourist arrivals

Tourist arrivals for the first nine months of 2011 attained 674,383. This represents an increase of 4.3% over the figure of 646,656 registered for the first nine months of 2010.

Tourist arrivals from Europe increased by 1.5% to 421,060 with a 1.7% growth in arrivals from France, the leading market. As regards the other major generating countries, the following performances were noted: Germany (+7.2%), Italy (-4.6%) and United Kingdom (-9.7%).

Tourist arrivals from Africa grew by 3.0% to 163,023. Arrivals from Reunion Island, the major market of the region, remained at the same level as in corresponding period of 2010 and those from the Republic of South Africa increased by 5.2%.

Tourist arrivals from the Asian market went up by 21.5% to reach 66,950, with India, the major tourist generating country of the continent, registering a growth of 10.9%. The performance in arrivals from the other Asian countries was as follows: People’s Republic of China (+92.0%), Hong Kong (+47.7%), Malaysia (+34.9%), Singapore (+29.9%), United Arab Emirates (+10.0%) and Japan (+4.1%).

Tourist arrivals from Oceania and America rose by 47.0% and 7.8% respectively. Arrivals from these two continents numbered 22,290, representing 3.3% of the total tourist arrivals.

Tourism receipts

Gross tourism receipts for the first nine months of 2011 were estimated by the Bank of Mauritius at Rs 30,149 million, that is, an increase of 7.0% compared to Rs 28,167 million for the same period of 2010.

Hotel Statistics

At the end of September 2011, there were 115 registered hotels of which 109 were in operation, with a total room capacity of 11,816 and 24,018 bedplaces. The average room occupancy rate for all hotels for the first nine months of 2011 was 63% (same as in 2010) while bed occupancy rate averaged 55% (same as in 2010).

Forecast Year 2011 and 2012

Based on data available on tourist arrivals and information gathered from stakeholders, the forecast of tourist arrivals for the year 2011 is maintained at 980,000, representing an increase of 4.8% over the figure of 934,827 in 2010. Tourist arrivals in 2012 is forecasted to be around 1,010,000 representing an increase of 3.1% over 2011.

According to the Bank of Mauritius, tourism receipts for the year 2011 will be around Rs 42,500 million (+7.7 %) compared to Rs 39,456 million in 2010. Tourism receipts for 2012 would be around Rs 44,500 million representing an increase of 4.7% over 2011.

November 2011

 

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