A new strategy to attract more visitors during the low tourism season

The Association des Hôtels de Charme (AHC) members say they are not concerned about the low tourism season as they have a strategy to attract more visitors to the island.

Speaking at a press conference held at its head office in Port Louis on Wednesday, the AHC announced its plan to target specific tourist clientele, especially those who initially chose the Middle East for the holidays but are now looking at other destinations due to turmoil there.

In addition, the AHC has already worked out a marketing plan to attract more tourists during the low season, including road shows.

Between April to September last year, tourist arrivals were fewer compared to previous years.

AHC spokesperson Nazeem Jeetoo stressed that the Middle East is a high-end market that Mauritius should tap into. Jeetoo said that tourists from Middle East countries are big spenders. Road shows will be organised mainly in Qatar, Kuwait and Jeddah.

For his part, AHC president Bissoon Mungroo said that competition is important in the tourism sector but it is unfair when it affects the majority of stakeholders.

Mungroo believes that Mauritius is slowly losing its reputation as an upmarket destination as big hotels no longer promote their rooms at competitive prices as they used to in the past.