The Hindu Business Line : Air Mauritius keen on flying to new Indian destinations

EVEN as Mauritius expects annual tourist inflow from India to double to 50,000 from 25,000 at present within the next three years, Air Mauritius is seriously considering increasing frequencies on the India-Mauritius sector.

Air Mauritius, which has a code-share agreement with Air India, is also keen to fly to new destinations in India. Currently, Air Mauritius operates flights to Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

Talking to Business Line while on a visit here, Dr A. Karl Mootoosamy, Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, said several initiatives were being taken to increase the share of tourism in the national gross domestic product from the current level of 5.2 per cent.

Plans were being unfolded to help increase the flow of tourists from India, which has been identified as a market that has great potential.

Mr Mootoosamy said several initiatives were being taken to ensure greater tourist arrivals from India. From October 1 Indian tourists will not be required to obtain visas for travel to Mauritius. The visas would be granted upon arrival in Mauritius. Air Mauritius, in association with the hospitality industry in Mauritius, will offer special packages for families and honeymooners.

Hotels will offer special packages for conferences and conventions held in Mauritius in the Mauritian winter months of May and June.

Several steps were being taken to hard-sell Mauritius to Indian tourists.

"Mauritius is an ideal destination for Indian tourists. There are a lot of commonalities between our two countries. Besides, food is very important and to ensure that Indians get their type of food, we have flown in several Indian chefs to our country," Mr Mootoosamy said. The tourism infrastructure in Mauritius was being beefed up. Four new hotels with a total of more than 1,000 rooms would be operational soon.

Promotional events would be rolled out across the country to showcase tourist attractions in Mauritius.

As part of this, Mauritius is participating at the annual convention of the Travel Agents Association of India. A 10-day Mauritian Food Festival has been organised here in association with the Park Hotels.