Speaking at the IBTM World tradeshow, Amrita Craig, Manager for the African Market at the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, highlighted the island nation’s resurgence in the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Returning to IBTM for the first time since 2019, Mauritius made a strong case for its position as a premier destination for both business events and leisure tourism.
“After the pandemic, this is the first time we’re coming back,” Craig remarked. “Even though we weren’t present at IBTM during the pandemic, we still managed to host MICE groups. This year, I came with seven partners to reinforce Mauritius’ visibility and confidence in the market.”
Recognised Excellence in MICE
Speaking in an interview, Craig emphasised Mauritius’ efforts to differentiate itself in the MICE sector have not gone unnoticed. “We won the Best MICE Destination by the World Travel Awards in 2020,” Craig proudly shared.
“This recognition underscores the facilities we provide at every level. For instance, the government supports organisers through incentives like the VAT refund scheme. If you bring a group of 50 or more, you can apply to the Economic Development Board and, upon meeting their criteria, receive a refund. That’s money back in the organiser’s pocket.”
Craig also highlighted how hotels across the island used the pandemic downtime to renovate and upgrade their facilities, ensuring that visitors now benefit from new conference rooms and enhanced services.
Commitment to Sustainability
In addition to infrastructure updates, Mauritius is aligning with the global demand for sustainable travel. “We are very conscious of sustainability,” Craig noted. “We’ve been pushing projects that promote conscious travel, showing that Mauritius is sensitive to these issues. Sustainability is very important to us.”
Diverse Capacities for Events
Mauritius offers a wide range of venues to accommodate events of varying sizes. “Our hotels provide facilities that can host anywhere from 200 to 500 people,” Craig explained. “For larger gatherings, government conference centres can accommodate between 1,000 and 2,000 attendees, with a maximum capacity of 4,000 to 5,000 across the island. It’s a wide choice.”
The island’s robust logistics also make it an ideal destination for hosting international conferences. “We regularly host major conferences from Africa, and we provide all the necessary services, from translation to transport and audiovisual support,” she added.
Expanding into Sports Tourism
Looking ahead to 2025, Mauritius is diversifying its offerings by capitalising on the growing demand for sports tourism. “We’ve seen an increase in interest for events like cycling, kitesurfing, and golf,” Craig shared. “This December, we’re hosting the 8th edition of the AfriAsia Mauritius Open, a tri-sanctioned golf tournament involving the European, Asian, and African Tours. Our logistics set us apart from other small islands, making us a preferred choice for such events.”
Enhanced Air Connectivity
Mauritius is also addressing air connectivity, a critical factor for its tourism industry.“Air Mauritius is slowly getting back on track, and we’re seeing progress,” Craig said. “From Africa, we have SAA, and from Europe, airlines like Air France and Emirates have established strong connections. Emirates even operates a double daily A380 service to Mauritius. Additionally, new direct flights from Spain and Portugal are in the pipeline.”
Craig expressed optimism about the island’s future in the global tourism market. “We’re well connected and ready to welcome the world.”
A Bright Future
Concluding her remarks, Craig emphasised Mauritius’ commitment to growth and innovation. “We are not just a leisure destination. We’re a versatile, world-class destination for MICE, sports, and beyond. With our updated offerings and sustainable practices, we are confident in what Mauritius has to offer.”
