With an intend to reverse the dip in Indian arrival numbers of almost 10% in 2019, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) will be extending an attractive cash incentive scheme for travel companies and corporate entities to do group events in the island nation.
Mauritius Tourism Cash Incentive
As per the scheme, any travel company which is hosting a group size of minimum 100 pax for three nights in Mauritius will be entitled to an incentive of MUR 1 lakh (INR 2 lakh) and companies taking a group size of 250 pax or above for at least 3 nights will be entitled for a cash incentive of MUR 2 lakh (INR 4 lakh). Apart from this, people who are staying more than three days in Mauritius can also reclaim a 15% VAT refund.
Informing this at an event organized MTPA (Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority) and SATTE in Delhi, Arvind Bundhun, Director, MTPA said that MICE and Wedding are two thrust segments for Mauritius from India which need to be nourished.“More than 15% of Indian arrivals to Mauritius are MICE,” he added.
Conceding 2019 was a “challenging year” for Mauritius tourism both because of the “accessibility” as well as “instability” issues in the global market, Bundhun admitted that there have been unexpected dip from important source market like India which has otherwise been growing double-digit year-on-year. “We don’t face any awareness issue anywhere anymore, but accessibility was a major issue last year,” he informed.
Currently, Air Mauritius has code-share with Air India and operates 10 frequencies a week from 4 stations in India.
Bundhun said that Mauritius continues to be an aspirational destination considering its diverse products and attractions. While a lot of island destinations only offer water sports activities, Mauritius, Bundhun said, is a mini-United Nations, and is a melting pot of culture, heritage, hospitality, etc., apart from its pristine beaches. Although Mauritius is known for its luxury, lifestyle, and glamour, Bundhun said that the destination is highly palatable to all types of guests and the level of hospitality and service is similar across all segments of travel products.
“We are extremely hopeful of reversing the trend. If other destinations are doing well with Indian tourists, we don’t see any reason Mauritius regaining the market,” Bundhun said when asked about his expectations from India in 2020.
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