Mauritius as an island has been growing in popularity among Indian travellers and though it’s still a way to reach one of the top destinations for them, 2023 saw a growth of 52 percent. Sourcespoke to the recently appointed general manager of Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, Martin Dell about what his property was doing to attract them.
Dell began by speaking of the recent developments which were welcome additions to Mauritius and his hotels’ efforts to increase exposure to the India market.
“We are, first and foremost, delighted to have Air Mauritius, Vistara and Air India fly directly from key cities like Mumbai, Delhi and more recently Chennai (Air Mauritius) to allow more Indian guests to access and enjoy the island of Mauritius,” he said adding, “We identified key experiences that our guests would like while staying with us and some of the highlights include curated island tours to the north and south to explore the diverse cultural experiences, snorkelling with our naturalist, sunset yacht cruise, helicopter rides and more to truly immerse in the magnificent landscape and bountiful nature on the island.”
Dell and his team know that cuisine and cultural sensitivity around this plays a key role in making choices and their Indian restaurant Chatkar with chef Vishal at the helm caters to all palates where guests can customise their meal experience after a consultation with the chef.
Aiming the luxury segment market, he added, “Our multi-bedroom private retreats are perfect for family travel while the one bedroom pool villas by the ocean provide the perfect mix of play and relaxation while staying with us. We understand that social golf is becoming a big trend in India and for those who have already visited close by destinations like Thailand, Mauritius is the perfect place to have a vacation with golfing buddies.”
Mauritius in 2023 showed 52 percent growth in Indian tourist arrivals, reaching 53,875, a YoY growth of 18,547—not a huge number but a significant increase nonetheless. The most significant markets for the island destination include the USA, UK and Europe, he added.
“Mauritius offers an ample variety of activities and experiences to explore the local culture, cuisine and nature. Mauritius is a suitable destination for active families, couples or friends travelling together and at the same time the serene nature filled with waterfalls, forests, mountains and hidden beaches, allows visitors to relax and enjoy private moments. What also should be taken into consideration are the Indian influences in the Mauritian culture as a whole, from local cuisine to entertainment,” he said when asked to compare his island as a destination compared to others in the Indian Ocean.