Island access fee U-turn now comes under fire

12 years, 11 months ago - April 27, 2011
Mr Mungroo said the change of mind is deplorable

Minister of Tourism and Leisure Nando Bodha has come under fire – this time for reversing a decision to impose an access charge to the Eastern coastal islets, including Ile aux Cerfs. Mr Bodha had originally decided to impose an access fee of Rs10 for Mauritians and Rs50 to tourists. But he later reversed course after protests by NGOs and pleasure craft operators.

Mr Mungroo said the change of mind is deplorable. “It’s normal to claim an access fee on these islets, as is the case for Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and Terre Sept Couleurs at Chamarel,” he said. In the National Assembly on Tuesday, April 19, after explaining the motivation behind the Rs10 charge, the ministere finally announced that access would remain free, for Mauritians and tourists alike.

He said he had received many representations from the public and stakeholders to reconsider the fee. “I can reaffirm that access to the islets for all people will remain free,” Mr Bodha said. Minister Bodha said at a recent press conference that Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangenie were “in a mess”.

There were “undesirable and illegal acts and doings of operators such as harassment and aggression of tourists by canvassers and beach hawkers, undisciplined pleasure craft operators as regards to speeding and mooring, barbecue activities carried out in unhygienic conditions, and proliferation of posters and billboards”.

He said that appropriate measures had to be taken before the situation becomes “irreversible”. Not happy with Mr Bodha’s backpedalling move, Mr Mungroo said that Rs50 is a small amount of money when compared to the Rs1,500 charge per tourist who wants to go to Ile aux Cerfs or to the Grand River South East waterfall, which includes boat transfer and a barbecue on Mangenie Islet.

“It’s the role of the operators to fully collaborate with the authorities for the maintenance, safety and cleaning of the tourist sites. Ile aux Cerfs does not belong to operators who work there. They have the right to earn a living there but they are not allowed to transform these islets into dumping grounds,” said Mr Mungroo.

Ile aux Cerfs, he added, is unique as it gives a plus to Mauritius as a tourist destination. “Business on Ile aux Cerfs generates Rs500 million annually. How much of this goes to the government treasury?” he asked.

By Clifford Vellien


Text by NewsNow.mu

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