Are hotel operators finally beginning to question the wisdom of the Ministry of Tourism’s goal of 2 million visitors per year? As reported in the press yesterday, Beachcomber is warning against the industrialisation of the sector. Mauritius has always benefited from its image as an exclusive destination offering excellent customer service. The concern is that to increase numbers, we will have to sacrifice this niche by targeting the mass market where greater price sensitivity will require costs and hence quality to be reduced. But once our cachet is lost will high-end tourists be so attracted to our shores? What is the point of flooding our beaches with tourists who have less disposable income to spend in the local economy?
If MRU wants to follow in the steps of the likes of Spain; i.e. Mega cheap flights, the country flooded with 2nd rate accommodation and tourists who spend little money on anything except cheap booze…….carry on !
in my perception would be looking at the pro and cons before any action.
Not to mention that tourists come to our shores with the idea of beautiful beach and sea. It’s already hard to manage this crowd stomping the corals and the lagoons either directly or indirectly.
When the recipe doesn’t work the environment will be gone too and the high end tourism won’t come back for polluted beaches and sea…