TCA (Travel Connections Arabia), a leading global sales and marketing outsourcing agency for the luxury hospitality, tourism and travel industry, recently completed an agents FAM to Mauritius, with stays at the Constance Prince Maurice and Constance Belle Mare Plage, after the latter’s multimillion-dollar refurbishment.
Mauritius has witnessed a 6.2 per cent increase in visitor numbers from the GGC when comparing the 2015-2016, and is on target for a further increase this year having achieved 11,987 visitors from January to August 2017, from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are the main contributors to this increase.
An observation from a participating travel expert, sums up why GCC travellers love Mauritius: “Mauritius as a tropical island, and definitely it would be a dream of many to visit. The food, the people, the natural surroundings, and the amount of activities available is amazing. For GCC travellers, the luxurious nature of the resorts, the privacy, means that they can enjoy their vacations, as a couple or as a family group in safety and comfort,” commented Nazim Mustafa, senior travel consultant, DW Travel.
“Mauritius really takes away the monotony of the sun, sand and sky and allows travellers to experience everything they could wish for"
- Namratha Rose
The stay at the host hotels was a highlight of the tour and Constance Belle Mare Plage has proved a popular destination thanks to its two 18-hole, UPGA-approved championship golf courses, while Constance Prince Maurice guests enjoyed the island’s only floating restaurant; Le Barachois, an experience of Indian Ocean flavours with fine dining service. Food is another unique attraction that the island offers.
Namratha Rose, sales manager – GSA & Holidays, Nasa Travel observed, “Mauritius really takes away the monotony of the sun, sand and sky and allows travellers to experience everything they could wish for, I loved how there was so much to do and see. For GCC travellers, and families in particular the activities for all ages means that they’ll never be bored, and the wide range of international cuisine means there’s always something appetising to eat.”
“With more than 15,000 arrivals to the island in 2016, Mauritius still features highly on travel wish lists, and it’s the consistency in quality and service, as well as the beautiful scenery that set this location apart. Constance Hotels and Resorts are continually innovating their product, appealing to those with an active lifestyle, those seeking wellness, and those that just want to disconnect and unwind; it truly is a comprehensive country for the global traveller”, said Ahmed Soliman, managing director of TCA.
“Travel agents should be equipped with first-hand experience of each and every property they represent, allowing them to better serve their clients and provide accurate details on what travellers can expect. At TCA we see FAM trips as an important tool in educating the travel trade on the variety of product available, despite the evolution of technology, it means the difference between mere selling and being a travel consultant,” concluded Soliman.
Signing off on a positive note and showcasing how important first-hand experience is to promote a destination, Godfrey Lopez, manager- travel at Uranus Travel said, “Mauritius really is a complete holiday destination; it offers something for those looking to relax and those looks to be active; it offers you the best of all worlds. The exclusivity and privacy offered, particularly at the Constance resorts is ideal, allows Gulf travellers to go with the entire family, and enjoy a proper vacation as they require.”