SA’s Mauritius fever burns bright
ARRIVALS to Mauritius
from South Africa
continue to grow,
confirms Philippa Piguet,
Mauritius Tourism
Promotion Authority (MTPA)
representative in SA.
She says 2018 ended
positively, with the December
2018 arrivals figure of
23 498 up 12,8% on the
figure of 20 838 recorded in
December 2017.
“The total tourist arrivals
figure from SA to Mauritius
for 2018 was 128 091,
an impressive increase of
14,2% on the figure of
112 129 for 2017.”
Philippa is pleased this
trend has continued into
2019, with arrivals from SA
for January at 7 669, up
6,6% for the same period in
2018.
Improved arrivals
“While the February figure
was down on last year,
March has picked up again
and will also end at around
6% up on the 2018 period.”
Overall, SA remains within
the top five source markets
to Mauritius, behind France,
Réunion Island, Germany
and the UK, and was ranked
second for the month of
December, behind France,
she adds.
As a melting pot of so
many exotic cultures, the
sights, sounds, tastes and
experiences encountered
in Mauritius are unique to
this tropical destination, she
explains.
“All of this makes for a
holiday that never ceases to
surprise, both for seasoned,
return travellers and new
visitors.”
World Leisure Holidays
has also seen growth year
on year, says head of Sales,
Brenda Mitchell.
“As we only deal with
Indian Ocean islands, we
cannot advise if market
share has been taken away
from other destinations.
Mauritius, however, is still
our number-one destination
and we have consistent
repeat clients.”
She says seven-night
holiday packages are
the most popular, but
price-sensitive travellers
are opting for five-night
packages.
Thompsons Holidays PR
and media manager, John
Ridler, says for many people,
being on the island is a time
to recharge while enjoying
activities such as golf, spa
treatments or sailing.
“Learning Creole cooking
is also popular, as many of
the ingredients are available
in SA.”
Constant reinvention
The Lux Collective head of
sales and marketing in SA
and Africa, Alexis Bekker,
believes there is no one
simple answer as to why the
market keeps growing and
travellers continue to travel
year after year, but constant
reinvention keeps it
appealing to all markets.
“The Lux Collective has a
good mix of new travellers
and a growing percentage
of repeat travellers. We
continually reinvest in
resorts through extensive
refurbishments that keep
them on trend and of the
highest quality.
“Our brand being only
six years young is gaining
momentum as travellers
experience the magic of
LUX* and we are seeing our
market share increase as a
result.”
Ticking the boxes
AIR Mauritius has
increased capacity on the
• Mauritius is a fourhour trip from SA, with
flights departing from
Johannesburg, Durban
and Cape Town, and a
choice of three airlines
– Air Mauritius, SAA and
BA/Comair.
• No visas are required for
SA passport holders.
• The wide variety of
accommodation – luxury
hotels to self-catering
apartments, suits a
broad range of travellers.
Air Mauritius ups capacity on JNB route
Johannesburg-Mauritius
route following the
introduction of daily widebody flights from April 1,
says Carla da Silva, regional
manager: Southern Africa
and Latin America.
“The thrice-weekly A319-
100 aircraft (116-seater)
will no longer service the
Johannesburg route. They
are replaced by a mix of our
Airbus A350-900, A330-
900NEO and A340-300
aircraft.”
The Cape Town route is
serviced by twice-weekly
frequencies with wide-body
aircraft (A340-300 and
A330-200).
The Durban route
continues with three
frequencies per week at
this stage.
The airline has also just
launched a promotional
airfare from Johannesburg,
Durban and Cape Town for
departures between May 1
and July 31 frpm R6 337
(DUR/JNB-MRU return)
and R6 837 (CPT-MRUCPT) including taxes.
The sales period for
the promotional fare runs
until April 26. Tickets
must be issued on MK
documents only upon
confirmation of all sectors
within 72 hours of PNR
confirmation. Black-out
periods and T&Cs apply.
Photocap: Affordable packages
To cover all budgets, Thompsons Holidays offers
affordable packages with three- to five-star resorts
and has recently launched a dedicated Value Vacation
brochure for self-catering accommodation.
“Many of these properties are just steps from the
beach, close to shops and even offer in-house chef
services,” says John Ridler.
MICE – MRU’s focus for 2019
A BIG focus area for Mauritius
this year is the lucrative MICE
market, says Philippa Piguet
of the MTPA.
“The destination is well
appointed to handle groups
of any size, from an exclusive,
high-level business meeting to
an international conference –
and everything in between.”
The MTPA was a first-time
exhibitor at Meetings Africa
this year. “This proved to be
an excellent platform to kickstart the focus for the year to
the South African, African and
global MICE markets.”
With such a variety of
suitable accommodation
and up to three flights a day,
it’s an easy choice, agrees
Thompsons Holidays’ John
Ridler. He says the island
offers many opportunities to
reward incentive travellers
and hotels have access to
experienced event planners
who go the extra mile to make
events unforgettable.
Travel Insurance Consultants
(TIC) has seen an increase in
travellers visiting Mauritius,
says sales and marketing
manager, Simmy Micheli.
“Our statistics show 9%
growth in overall travel to
Mauritius and included in
the numbers we have 13%
comprising business or
conferencing travel.”
The Lux Collective is also
experiencing a significant
increase in its MICE business,
which in turn is contributing
to the growth in tourism, says
Alexis Bekker. “Once these
travellers have experienced
our LUX* brand as part of a
MICE gathering, we often find
them returning on a leisure
basis with families. Our leisure
offering is always adaptable
and customised for MICE and
corporates. The feedback on
this market segment has been
nothing short of exceptional.”
Beachcomber Tours is
achieving well in the groups
and incentive market, says
md, Terry Munro. “In 2019
we certainly are showing good
growth in this area.”
Philippa says Mauritius has
an advantage over other MICE
destinations in the Indian
Ocean in that it houses the
region’s largest and most
modern convention centre,
the Swami Vivekananda
Conference Centre in Pailles,
which can facilitate up to
5 000 people.
Another purpose-built
conference facility is the
Trianon Convention Centre
(up to 3 000 delegates),
which has easy access to
Port Louis, Ebene Cyber City,
hotels and the airport.
Other popular venues,
she adds, include the
J & G Auditorium (up to
2 300 guests), the
International Conference
Centre in Grand Bay (up
to 600 people) and the
Freeport Exhibition Centre
in Mer Rouge (up to 1 000
delegates). Mauritian hotels
also offer conferencing
facilities for between 800
and 2 000 delegates.
“The old colonial house
and estate, Château de
Labourdonnais, is a unique
venue for that special event,
and marquees can be set
up in the beautiful gardens,”
Philippa recommends.
Activities that can be
geared around MICE groups
range from golf to adventure
sports such as quad-biking,
trekking, mountain biking,
zip-lining, hunting, kitesurfing, parasailing, canoeing
and sky-diving.
MTPA to host trade roadshows in April
DURING April, the director
of Mauritius Tourism
Promotion Authority (MTPA)
and various partners
from the island hosted
roadshows in Cape Town,
Durban and Johannesburg
to interact with and update
the local travel industry.
“The MTPA believes it is
important to understand
the needs and challenges
of the trade so it can
support them effectively
with creative campaigns
and materials,” says
Philippa Piguet of MTPA.
“There are a number of
exciting trade events and
engagements planned
for the year that will be
communicated in due
course.”
She says Mauritius has
also been confirmed as
the host venue for the
2019 World Travel Awards’
Africa and Indian Ocean
region gala ceremony,
which takes place on
June 1 at Sugar Beach, a
Sun Resort.
The website, www.
ratherbeinMauritius.co.za,
gives travel trade partners
the chance to upload their
latest packages, deals
and special offers to the
island.
School holiday packages from WLH
WORLD Leisure Holidays
is promoting a package at
the five-star Sugar Beach, a
Sun Resort, for the June-July
school holidays this year.
With three set departures
– June 15-22, June 22-29,
and June 30-July 7 – the
40% discount and
renovation offer is from
R21 380 per adult sharing
on a half-board basis for
seven nights in a Garden
Manor House room.
The package includes
return flights from
Johannesburg, coach
transfers, land and nonmotorised water sports,
daily entertainment and
approximate taxes, levies
and surcharges. Kids under
12 years stay and play free
when sharing with adults.
Sugar Beach is currently
undergoing renovations.
The restaurant, Citronella’s,
is being renovated from
May 27 to July 31. From
July 1 to September 30,
Garden Manor House
and Sea View rooms, the
lobby area and Mon Plaisir
(main restaurant) will be
affected. Over this period,
check-in will take place at
La Pirogue where guests
will have full access to all
facilities.
During this time Sugar
Beach remains functional.
As a commercial gesture,
in conjunction with Sugar
Beach, World Leisure
Holidays is offering a
preferential rate on the
accommodation portion of
guest reservations.
Did you know?
The four-star Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa has
opened a new mini-golf course for children and adults. The course
was designed by former golf pro, Peter Matkovich, and offers
breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. It is a miniature replica of
the last nine holes of the 18-hole Mont Choisy Golf course.
Picasso at Royal Palm
THE first Picasso
exhibition ever organised
in the Indian Ocean
islands was held at the
Blue Penny Museum
in Port Louis, ending
in January this year. To
prolong this adventure,
the Beachcomber Group,
one of the exhibition’s
sponsors, arranged
for a selection of the
exhibited artworks to be
displayed at the Royal
Palm Beachcomber
Luxury until June. Ten
art works – ceramics,
drawings and sculptures
– are currently on
display (and for sale)
in showcases in the
reception hall.
When cyclone season comes around
MAURITIUS has a tropical
climate, with warm
weather year-round. There
is seldom a cyclone, but
when one does hit the
island, hotels and airlines
will assist passengers as
much as possible, says
Beachcomber Tours’ Terry
Munro.
“The main cyclone season
is January and February,
but they can also occur in
December and March,” he
says.
The Lux Collective’s
Alexis Bekker, says the
resorts are well geared for
these weather conditions
and should the dreaded
happen, guests are kept
safe throughout.
“There are policies in
resorts as well as with
airlines and the insurance
companies around
weather. We do try to
be as reasonable and
accommodating as possible
for measures beyond our
control.”
Thompsons Holidays’ John
Ridler, agrees. “The short
cyclone season usually
starts in mid-January and
hotels are equipped to
entertain clients in the
event of rain. While there
are no set rules, airlines
and resorts have in the past
dealt with disruptions at no
cost to the individuals.”
Travel Insurance
Consultants’ Simmy Micheli
says when it comes to
weather conditions such as
a cyclone, TIC will reimburse
clients if a departure flight
is cancelled and they are
out of pocket; their prepaid accommodation is
flattened or damaged to
an uninhabitable extent;
and they are stranded in
Mauritius because the flight
was cancelled and they are
incurring additional costs.
“The best time to visit
the island is from May
to December when the
weather is cooler, dry and
sunny. January to March are
rainy months, and cyclone
season, but it is more
common than not for most
of the storms to break out
at sea and not reach the
island,” says the MTPA’s
Philippa Piguet.
In the event of inclement
weather, Philippa says
there are a host of other
activities to consider, such
as marlin fishing as well as
the many cultural festivities
that take place during this
time.
“Kite-surfers can enjoy the
best conditions during July
and August when the wind
is at its strongest along the
south and east coast.”
Need-to-knows when selling Mauritius
BEACHCOMBER was a
pioneer in developing
Mauritius as a destination
that is loved and enjoyed
by so many people
worldwide, believes Terry
Munro.
“They chose the best
sites and concentrated
on the west coast, which
has the most beautiful
sunsets into the sea and
offers protection from the
eastern trade winds that
can be harsh on the east
coast, especially between
May and September.”
Quality beaches
Terry says it’s important
for South Africans to
choose a hotel with a
quality beach. “Where the
beaches are not ‘manmade’, the swimming is
generally better, especially
for water sports.”
Mauritius is truly a yearround destination, says
Thompsons Holidays’
John Ridler. “Sea
temperatures are warm
enough for swimming,
even in the cooler
months.”
John says some people
favour the east coast
in the warmer summer
months and vice versa
with the west coast. “The
north is close to Grand
Bay and easily accessed
by those wanting
shopping and fun in the
evenings. The south is
known for its cooling
breezes and is popular
with surfers.”
World Leisure Holidays’
Brenda Mitchell says
in winter, from May to
October, the temperature
drops from hot to balmy.
During summer, from
November to April, the
days are hot and humid.
The wet cyclone season
is from January to March.
All Sun Resorts
properties – i.e. Ambre,
La Pirogue, Long Beach
and Sugar Beach – have
excellent beaches, says
Brenda. “Our longest is
1,3km at Long Beach.”
From a travel insurance
claim perspective – and
where travel consultants
can caution clients –
TIC’s Simmy Micheli,
says rock fish and other
sea urchins are the most
common incidents of
injury.
Medical claims
“Increased medical
claims are most often
as a consequence of
travellers not being fit to
fly and luggage theft from
some hotel rooms has
now become relatively
prevalent.”
Simmy says last year an
obese 41-year-old traveller
slipped at a poolside.
Due to his size, medical
professionals were not
able to assess and
diagnose him properly.
“As a result, it was
decided to repatriate the
passenger home on an
air ambulance, which cost
R650 000.”
Photocap: Salt room
The resort
spa has a salt
room – the
only one in the
Indian Ocean –
offering guests
the chance to
restore their
equilibrium.
After a
treatment,
or as an
experience in
itself, guests
can relax on
a daybed and
breathe in the
benefits of
Himalayan pink
salt particles.
The Lux Collective introduces responsible initiatives
SALT of Palmar is the first
resort of hotel brand Salt,
part of The Lux Collection,
opening in Mauritius.
The 59-room Salt of
Palmar on the east coast
has been designed as
a restful base to enable
culturally curious, stylesavvy travellers to
experience Mauritius
authentically, but with an
elegance and luxury to help
them escape and recharge.
So says The Lux
Collective’s Alexis Bekker.
The idea behind the Salt
of Palmar is meaningful
travel, she explains. “This
is travel that takes you to
people, not just places.
Meaningful travel connects
you to the local community
and their way of life. You’re
listening to and tasting
local.
“You’re out there
exploring. You’re in it, not
beside it.”
Even better, she says, is
that guests give back to the
communities.
“Sustainability starts
here. We boost economies
by employing, sourcing and
collaborating locally.”
Guests have the
opportunity to participate in
the Skill Swap programme
where they can exchange
their time and talent with
local producers, designers
and artisans such as a
soap maker, fisherman,
potter or basket weaver.
The food philosophy at
the restaurant is fresh,
homemade, home-grown,
seasonal and zero-waste,
with the majority of the
produce from the Salt farm
that cultivates hydroponic
fruit and vegetables.
Featuring a yoga pavilion
and beehive, the farm also
hosts meals in the garden
shed, gardening classes,
greenhouse tours and
workshops.
In addition, the hotel
features a 100-seat à la
carte restaurant, café and
bakery as well as rooftop,
beach and pool bars.
Guests use water
stations to help
themselves to chilled still,
sparkling and alkaline taps
plus freshly cut fruits and
herbs to flavour the water.
There are no single-use
plastics at the resort –
and no buffets and fixed
TV screens.
Included in the suites,
which range from ‘Garden
View’ to ‘Best on Beach’,
are organic linen and
coffee robes as well as
natural amenities. Rooms
offer free homemade
snacks and Moringa tea,
as well as beach bags
made from recycled
plastics, reusable water
bottles, as well as yoga
mats and blocks.
Salt of Palmar’s Bests
Best market: For some
of the best bargains,
head to the open air
market in Flacq on
a Sunday for spices,
textiles and fresh
produce.
• Best mountain hike:
Hike the 812m to
the top of Le Pouce
mountain for panoramic
views.
• Best live music: The
Banana Beach Club in
Grand Bay.
• Best place to meditate:
Meditate at the vortex of
Riambel.
• Best place to learn
kite-surfing: Whilst the
beach at Le Morne is
more crowded than
other kite-surfing
beaches, the lagoon is
never more than waist
deep and an abundance
of schools make it the
perfect destination.
• Scuba dive the
‘Cathedral’ – this
cathedral-like cave is
a short boat ride from
Flic-en-Flac. It is full
of natural arches and
caverns lit by filtered
sunlight. The waters are
packed with coral and
marine life.
• Find the Gris Gris
hidden waterfall:
This secret waterfall
is unknown to most
visitors to the rocks of
Gris Gris. Follow the
cliff-top path keeping the
ocean on your right until
you come to a break in
the trees and can hear
the sound of crashing
water.
UTRB is back in July
THE Ultra Trail Raidlight
Beachcomber (UTRB) is
back from July 27-28.
Unique to Mauritius, the
UTRB is open to trailers
from all categories and
promises thrills and
chills. Sports aficionados
and nature lovers are
invited to discover the
island’s diverse trails and
breathtaking landscapes.
Between the sea and the
mountain, the forest and
savannah, sandy soil,
climbs and descents, it is
a matchless opportunity
to breathe in fresh air
alone, in pair or with
friends. Registration is
open until July 8.
