Mauritian delegation to prepare for new flight from Shanghai

Minister of Tourism and Leisure Nando Bodha is leading a 30-member delegation to Beijing and Shanghai in China from May16-20 for talks on the launch of the inaugural flight of Air Mauritius from Shanghai on July 5.

The delegation comprises 30 representatives from the private sector, Air Mauritius, Tourism Boards from Reunion, Madagascar and Seychelles. More than 80 tour operators are attending a road show being organised by the Mauritius Tourim Promotion Authority in Shanghai..

In 2010, some 7,609 tourists arrived from China compared with 6,925 in 2009. Currently many Mauritians and tourists from Reunion Island fly regularly on Air Mauritius to Hong Kong.

In line with the policy of the Government to rebalance economic growth and diversify into non-Euro markets, the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure aims to tap fully the growing tourism outbound market from China.

This pre-launch event will help to promote the flight with tour operators and enhance awareness of the Vanilla Islands concept. The Vanilla Islands include Reunion Island, Seychelles, Comoros, and Madagascar.

The objective of Road Show China 2011 is also to assist industry partners to secure a safer and more successful course for the future through reinforced visibility on the market.

Authorities are also striving to optimise the MK Shanghai flight and in that context the MTPA will be having working sessions with tour operators in order to stimulate consumer demand for these flights.