Trou aux Biches:Mauritius The tourism industry in Mauritius is set to transition towards a more resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and value-driven model, as stated by the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Christian Harold Richard Duval. This announcement was made during the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the Association of Hoteliers and Restaurants of Mauritius (AHRIM) held at Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa.
According to Government of Mauritius, the meeting saw the attendance of the Chief Executive Officer of AHRIM, Mrs. Shirin Gunny; the President of AHRIM, Mr. Stéphane Poupinel de Valencé; and several stakeholders from the tourism industry. Minister Duval emphasized the need for Mauritius to enhance its resilience against future external shocks that could impact the tourism sector and maintain its status as a desirable tourist destination.
The Minister highlighted several initiatives aimed at modernizing the tourism industry, including the introduction of e-licensing and the digitalization of procedures at the Tourism Authority. Additionally, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) is undergoing a comprehensive revamping exercise to strengthen the organization. The Ministry also plans to publish a Strategy Paper outlining priorities and a detailed action plan for the tourism sector.
Minister Duval noted the sector's robust performance in 2025, with 1,436,250 tourist arrivals and tourism receipts amounting to Rs 103.3 billion, achieved despite international challenges and geopolitical tensions. He identified air connectivity, destination promotion, market diversification, and the quality of the tourism product as critical pillars for Mauritius's competitiveness.
Key priorities such as coastal protection, water conservation, and energy management were also discussed. The Minister welcomed the expected financial support of Rs 6.3 billion from the Agence Française de Développement and the European Union. He announced plans for a national awareness campaign against water wastage and the establishment of a committee for strategic planning on the tourism industry's future direction.
Mrs. Gunny reaffirmed AHRIM's commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to address industry challenges and contribute to Mauritian tourism's future development. She mentioned a perception study by AHRIM and a forthcoming presentation on coastline evolution and vulnerability.
Mr. Poupinel de Valencé called for stronger public-private sector collaboration, sustained investment, and clearer regulation on informal accommodation establishments to ensure a level playing field in the industry.
