Forests, Nature Trails To Get Facelift By 2013

“It is critical to give priority to sustainable ecotourism when working toward the goal of two million visitors by 2015, and to move beyond the image of “Sun, Sand, and Sea”, said Michael Sik Yuen, the minister of Tourism and Leisure to The Independent.

According to him, ecotourism is on the rise around the world. “We want it to be the same for the island. There is a slight increase in the number of people visiting the forests for activities such as shooting, fishing, watching wildlife,” he said.

He added that annual revenues from ecotourism are estimated at Rs 1.4 billion. “There is an urgent need to increase capacity, facilities and expertise in the country for the promotion of ecotourism,” he said.

Forests and nature trails will get a facelift by 2013. “We will build tracks, bird hides and plant more endemic plants to attract tourists,” he said.

The places targeted are Ile aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Monvert nature walk, Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges Viewpoint.