Economic Importance
Tourism,
third pillar of the economy after the E.P.Z. manufacturing
sector and Agriculture, contributes significantly to
economic growth and has been a key factor in the overall
development of Mauritius. In the past two decades
tourist arrivals increased at an average annual rate
of 9 % with a corresponding increase of about 21% in
tourism receipts. In 2000, gross tourism receipts
were 14.2 billion rupees (508.3 million US $) and contributed
to about 11 % of our GDP. Tourism may be called
to play an even more important role in the wake of
the After-GATT Agreements.
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Growth in Tourist Arrivals
Tourist
arrivals have been expanding consequently, thus rising
from 103,000 in 1977 to 656,450 in 2000, a more than
six-fold increase. About 67% of the tourist arrivals
are of European origin, with France supplying nearly
half. The nearby Reunion French Territory is
the most important short haul source market accounting
for about 13% of total tourist arrivals. Asian
residents provided 6% of tourist arrivals, almost half
of which originated from the Indian Sub-Continent.
In
2000, total number of nights spent by tourist was estimated
to about 6.5 million, representing an increase of 13%
over 1999. The average length of stay works out
to around 10 nights and average expenditure per tourist
reached about Rs. 22,000
Based
on the favourable growth registered in tourist arrivals,
it is estimated that arrivals for the year 2001 would
be around 700,000 (+10%) with total gross receipts
of the order of 15,500 million rupees. Back
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Attractions
Mauritius
is predominantly a holiday destination for beach-resort
tourists. It possesses a wide range of natural and
man-made attractions, enjoys a sub-tropical climate
with clear warm sea waters, attractive beaches, tropical
fauna and flora complemented by a multi-ethnic and
cultural population that is friendly and welcoming.
These tourism assets are, its main strength, especially
since they are backed up by well-designed and run hotels,
and reliable and operational services and infrastructures.
The hosts are being seen product and the "hospitality
atmosphere" has more and more as the nucleus of
the tourism been receiving increasing attention.
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National Tourism Policy
The National
Tourism Policy emphasizes low impact, high spending
tourism. Selective, up-market, quality tourism is favoured,
and although such tourism is not the only type, it
constitutes the major segment of our tourists who stay
in high class hotels.
In 1997,
there were 87 hotels with a total capacity of 6,800
rooms and 14,100 bedplaces. Average room occupancy
rates were 72% for all hotels and 78% for large hotels
(defined as established beach hotels with more than
80 rooms). Figures for bed occupancy rates were 64%
and 70% respectively. The most prestigious beach side
resort hotels are owned and/or operated by large groups
such as Sun International and Beachcomber. Many of
the beach resort hotels are internationally recognised
for their very high quality. It is estimated that around
25% of visitors stay in non-hotel accommodation, such
as boarding houses, self-catering bungalows and with
friends and relatives. |
