1. Could you outline the mandate of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and its role in positioning Mauritius as a leading global tourism destination?
The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) falls under the aegis of the Ministry ofTourism and the Minister. It was created following the 1996 Act of parliament. The mandate is very clear :
The MTPA, is effectively, our Tourism Promotion agency which oversees the promotion of our island Mauritius, as a leading tourism destination. I have recently been appointed to chair the board together with a new Director, Mr Benoit Harter, a seasoned entrepreneur who has worked locally and abroad, to manage the day-to-day and operations of the organisation as we move forward.
2. Mauritius has evolved beyond a traditional beach destination. How is MTPA promotingthe island’s diversity, including culture, gastronomy, wellness, sports, and eco-tourism?
The MTPA has over the years, engaged in direct and indirect international campaigns through a variety of channels, including supporting initiatives of our hoteliers by outliningour unique tourism offerings especially our legendary welcome, our multi-cultural population including our delicious gastronomy. We have also done campaigns covering ourWellness, Sports and eco-tourism offerings and these will be more prominent in all our future campaigns as these sectors grow worldwide.
3. The UAE and wider Gulf region are increasingly important source markets. Whatstrategies is MTPA deploying to attract high-value travellers from the Middle East?
We are present through our Mauritius stand at the Arab Travel Market every year and through various events in the region. The UAE and wider Gulf region are very important markets for our island destination. Our first ambassadors are our Mauritian nationals who work in the Hospitality industry there ! Having said this, we wish to develop this market further as it is important for us and during the very warm seasons in the region, the climate in Mauritius, 6 hours away is extremely pleasant. We also have in place, in Mauritius, a number of world-class resorts with strong brands, a private jets terminal and also tourism offerings which cater for this exclusive high-end market.
4. Luxury, experiential, and sustainable tourism are global trends. How is Mauritius aligning its tourism offering to meet these evolving traveler expectations?
Mauritius is a premium destination which has always catered for the luxury market. The profile of travellers around the world has changed post-covid. Mauritius has an eco-system through its resorts that are more and more developing a true Mauritian ‘experience’ when they visit us while it is clear that more and more travellers pay much more attention about sustainability as it is a cause that they wish to defend. The MTPA encourages these practices for all the operators. Personally, I would like Mauritius to move from just sustainable tourism to regenerative tourism ie from neutral to positive contribution to the communities and country through actions linked to tourism.
5. Air connectivity is critical for tourism growth. How does MTPA collaborate with airlines, airports, and international partners to strengthen access to Mauritius?
We are a remote island destination, far away from our main markets, therefore, air access is fundamental for the growth and survival of our Tourism industry which contributes up to 25% of our GDP. We already work very closely with our national airline, Air Mauritius on an umber of global campaigns and through their presence on our Mauritius stands abroad.We are continuously in discussion others and new airlines which wish to serve Mauritius and are involved through the Ministry of Tourism in these discussions especially when we have identified markets to be further developed or new ones for the destination.
6. Digital marketing and storytelling play a growing role in destination branding. How isMTPA leveraging digital platforms, data, and influencers to reach new audiences?
Over the years, our campaigns have shifted to a digital mode in line with international norms and trends. Following the covid pandemic, a new campaign was launched called‘Mauritius Now’ involving mainly digital mediums, a new website and using influencers and locals to portray our unique destination. As the new Chairman and working directly with the Minister and the Director, we intend, to review our positioning and brand promise as the world is changing fast. We also need to look at how we are perceived as a destination against the reality of the overall experience as this might have changed over the years. We need to reach a new optimum tourism positioning for the benefit of the destination.
7. Sustainability and community impact are key priorities. How does MTPA ensure that tourism growth benefits local communities while preserving Mauritius’s natural heritage?
These are very important elements for the destination going forward as visitors want to leave a positive impact following an experience which they will cherish all their lives. Travelling should be about beautiful memories. At the MTPA, we will continuously encourage a destination experience which is sustainable and has a direct impact on the local communities. This also means reviewing some established practices.
8. Events, sports, and business tourism are important growth drivers. How is MTPA positioning Mauritius as a destination for international events, MICE tourism, and niche segments?
In July 2026, Mauritius will host the US-Africa Business summit which is a major international conference giving us exposure worldwide. We also wish to increase sports tourism through various international tournaments including the existing global golf tournaments, some of which are aired worldwide. The MICE tourism is already present through the hotels and there is scope to increase this further. There are other areas which we will be looking into including solo travellers, senior travellers, nomad travellers and cruises.
9. With increasing competition among global destinations, what are the key differentiators that keep Mauritius competitive in the Indian Ocean and beyond?
Competition is healthy ! Mauritius remains one of the friendliest destinations, in large part through our welcoming multi-cultural population and an overall good weather all year round. However, we need to continuously up our game to face our current competitions.The new team in place at the MTPA will work on this aspect to ensure that the eco-system in place at every tourist touch points leads to a unique and memorable experience. We will work with all the various institutions to make this happen.
10. Finally, what message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers about whyMauritius remains a compelling destination for travel, investment, and long-term tourism partnerships?
Mauritius remains a unique offering in terms of an island tourism destination not only because of the beauty of its beaches and genuine hospitality of its people. It is an immersive encounter with a tolerant multi-cultural population, great food and in-land experiences. On one island, we combine the experience of several continents. We are also only 6 hours away from the Gulf region by direct flights. We really want everyone to have a memorable experience on the island !
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