TOURIST arrivals in Mauritius fell four per cent in May from the same period last year, as the number of visitors from the country’s main European markets declined, the Tourism Promotion Authority said.
Arrivals fell to 68,214 and the decline was led by France, the Indian Ocean island nation’s main market, whose visitors fell by 13 per cent to 18,997.
Arrivals from the UK dropped by 13.5 per cent to 6,670 and those coming from from Reunion Island, Mauritius’ largest regional market, fell by 16 per cent to 9,480.
For 2011, the tourism agency has set a target of one million visitors, or a 7.1 per cent increase on the 934,827 arrivals last year and earlier this year revenue was forecast to grow by 7.7 per cent to 42.5 billion rupees ($1.5 billion).
However, following the decline in numbers, there have been reports that the island’s tourism industry is pushing for the destination to be made into a tax-free shopping haven which would draw tourists but could lead to the nation forfeiting its unspoiled charm.