Jump In Number Of Indians Visiting Mauritius, Thailand

Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) representative in India Rajeev Nangia said, "Mauritius has received a prominent increase in the average per person spent by Indian travellers, contributing significantly to the tourism receipts of the destination. The spending power of an Indian traveller has doubled to US dollar 360 (Rs 18,000) per person per day."

Mauritius Tourism was among the 50-odd stalls displaying their country's product offerings at the India International Travel Exhibition at Abhay Prashal. The travel show concluded on Sunday.

"With increasing consumer base of high-spending Indian tourists seeking unique activity based indulgences, we are committed to a greater destination visibility by enhancing the awareness quotient of the destination and positioning Mauritius as a lifestyle statement and a must-visit destination," an MPTA official said. While tourist arrivals from India to Mauritius have shown a significant growth year-on-year, Thailand remains the most popular destination for Indian travellers due to its cost-effective packages.

The inflow of Indian tourists to Thailand has gone up by 30% year on year to cross one million for the first time ever, a Tourism Authority of Thailand representative told HT.

"We want to promote new destinations of Thailand. Most travellers know about Bangkok and Pattya. We want to promote other destinations such as Chiang Mai in the north Thailand. The place has so many things to offer in terms of culture, adventure and also for holding weddings," the official said. The tourism authority is also promoting destinations in the South including Phuket, Krabi and the Kanchaburi province, which is home to tigers that are pure vegetarian.

A trip to Thailand, he said, has become very affordable. A 3-star hotel room in Thailand costs Rs. 2,000 (1 172 Mauritian Rs) per night in Bangkok and around Rs. 2,500-3,000 (1465 – 1760 Mauritian Rs) in Phuket while the airfare has come down to Rs. 15,000 (8800 Mauritian Rs).

Not to be left behind, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority has announced India as its primary source market and aims to double its annual tourist arrivals from India to one lakh by 2015.

"Mauritius is emerging as one of the top destinations and witnessing an increase in interest amongst business and leisure travellers from Indore," officials said. In 2012, MTPA plans to make further inroads into tier 2 cities to highlight Mauritius as honeymooners retreat along with family vacations and for holding weddings.