Tourism: "All Inclusive, is Disaster for Us," According to Small Operators

Certainly, according to recent figures from Statistics Mauritius, we recorded a 4.5% increase in arrivals compared to May last year, and 1% in the period January-May But on the ground, particularly among smaller operators such as restaurant or taxi drivers, the gloom is palpable. Concerned, above all, still the all inclusive ...

The crisis in Europe, it is understood, is primarily responsible for the difficulties in the tourism sector. But the figures show a modest recovery in the market for the first five months of the year, peaking at an average of 4.5% in May, a burst which also includes France and Britain - two countries that send us the greatest number of European tourists. In addition, in recent years, as the Ministry of Tourism as Tourist Office also conducted aggressive campaigns to other destinations such as China and India, among other markets where growth was noted. But at the same time, the number of rooms has increased, so that the occupancy rate is far from satisfactory for most hotels. The situation is worse for small operators, such as restaurants, taxi drivers and other stores usually relying on a tourist clientele. All involve the all inclusive packages, which make tourists do not venture - and therefore spend - little outside hotels.

While stressing that "we are in low season" and therefore should not be too alarmed, Chetraj Jhurry, president of the Association of Tourist Operators (ATO) says that adaptation to new markets is crucial for the survival of the sector. "India, Reunion, South Africa markets are important now. We have long focused on Europe but with the crisis, it is time for the hotel and all tourism stakeholders get their act together. " The all-inclusive, is there alarm contributes to the death of the restaurants located on the coast as well as other businesses to a tourist clientele.

For François Eynaud, president of the Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs of Mauritius (AHRIM), "we are facing a difficult global economic situation and we need to work according to the needs not only of the industry but also the tourist on vacation. " The all-inclusive, he said, is a demand for high-end customers and participates in prestigious destination Mauritius. "Demand is growing for this type of service. As restaurateurs and hoteliers, we must bow to these demands, "he insists. And explain that the all inclusive package allows the tourist to spend a relaxing holiday without stress. "This package allows the customer to pay for bespoke holiday. He knows what he wants and the all inclusive he was offered various holiday budgets, among whom he chooses according to his needs. " But this type of package, as proposed by the major hotel groups as small hotels, noted Chetraj Jhurry 'cause disinterest tourists to other businesses has resulted. "

Restoration freefall

At Tino restaurant in Trou d'Eau Douce, manager Ricardo Lacour confirms all inclusive practiced by the 5 star hotels is catastrophic for restaurateurs. "Before I proposed the starter, main course and dessert for Rs 550 today with a flat Rs 300 to choose from (fish, meat or octopus), I find it difficult to sell. Tourists take a sandwich, or mines, or an inverted bowl, and water. " He explained that currently hosts only eight to ten clients per day, while the restaurant can accommodate 70. While in the past it recorded an average turnover of Rs 10,000 per day, these days it has revenues of Rs 3000 to Rs 5000. "With these recipes, restaurateurs can not return to their costs. We are moving towards a slow death of small restaurants if nothing is done. "

For the ATO, Mauritius has better advantages than the Seychelles or the Maldives, but its location is a disadvantage. "A plane Europe / Seychelles ticket is cheaper than a ticket Europe / Mauritius. The price difference is a real barrier in these tough economic times, tourists think long about how they will spend their money, and where. "

To survive this difficult period, but also to stand out from other destinations, Chetraj Jhurry believes it is important that small hotels and restaurants do not mimic the major hotel groups. "The strategy of the big hotels can not be that small hotels and shops. We need to know the trend among travelers and develop a closeness with them to know what they want. " Ricardo Lacour should be absolutely open air market, as South Africans, Chinese, Indians and Russians, among others, are limited to what they offer tour operators, unlike the French, which they have a different culture . "The French go to visit the country, catering. When they pay in euros, is winning. These are the French and the English, who spend the most, but with the all inclusive, a tourist who comes to spend a week with a budget of 1,200 euros all inclusive do not want to go re-spend in restaurants. It would be nice 5-star hotels only offer bed and breakfast, it would enable small operators to survive. The all inclusive Mauritius has a low-end tourist destination, "he says.

Another problem highlighted by Ricardo Lacour some restaurants rely on taxi drivers for customers. "This is not an acceptable practice. A restaurant should be able to make its own tourists. We must also see what tourists it is, if they spend it or not. The all inclusive is a low cost customer contributes to the stagnation of the market. " Unrequited by François Eynaud, which supports the all inclusive package is mainly "high-end customers' point of view.

Product visibility

To cope with the new demands of the market, tour operators have deployed various strategies. Offers packages in restaurants, diversification of services ... This is Alain Pinagapany, hotel manager Villas Caroline, decided to launch a campaign of seduction in emerging countries such as South Africa. You can not reinvent tourism, he said, but against, you can convince potential tourists coming to Mauritius rather than elsewhere. "To this end, in addition to the beauty of our beaches and the comfort of our hotels, recognized by all, add arguments as political stability, the safety of visitors, the cleanliness of the island, the harmonious diversity of our different cultures ... Athletes like Buckland were excellent ambassadors for Maurice because we were talking about our island during high-level competition. Mauritius must be positively visible in many areas as possible, "he said. Villas Caroline has chosen to make his promotion to destinations other than the traditional countries, South Africa and China for example, by putting forward the concept of "Fun Club", sport and entertainment for all in partnership with Thompson Tours and Coquille Bonheur.

Anauth Raphael, director of Le Palmiste Trou-aux-Biches, also alarm the large decline in the sector. For him, this is the overdevelopment of the hotel park and other villas IRS that small hotels remain on the sidelines and are struggling to survive. For its part, Chetraj Jhurry believes that "small restaurants and other operators must be able to convince tourists with limited means that Mauritius can accommodate, they can spend and even with a small budget and leave satisfied with services ". For Raphael Anauth, "competition is based on supply and demand, and to boost tourism, we need to improve product visibility. This can only be done by E-Marketing. It should also redo the image of Mauritius and take up the proposal of the MTPA for the consolidation of smaller boutique hotels. Small hotels do not have the same visibility on major fairs, should review all these aspects. The destination Maurice is still dreaming but must find an idea that packs and allows small hotels to position and stand alongside the big hotels. "

At the Meridien Hotel, Ron Bhoyroo, responsible for communications, said that a good marketing strategy is found. There is no decline in arrivals at Le Meridien, he said. "More than a hundred Starwood came together and have remained loyal to this brand customers. There is a product visibility. It was adapted to emerging markets and Chinese and Indian customers are fully consistent with the spirit of the hotel. An occupancy rate of 80% is displayed on 265 rooms. The request is consistent. The strength of the Meridian is that it is well established in terms of name and renowned hotel. "

On the objectives set by the authorities, François Eynaud is realistic. "The targets are no longer valid. Two million tourists in 2012, figures are reported in 2006. With the crisis in Europe, we can no longer speak. Even in 2020, we will not reach the 2 million mark. It is time for us to review our goals and recentrions the industry, "he says.

TESTIMONIALS

Hansa Korimbacus (commercial): "An 37 an, premie fwa mo trouv enn la plaz vid ! "

Hansa Bay Korimbacus exercises like fruit vendor at the beach for 37 years. " Lontan tou le zour ti pe trouv tou kalite dimoun. Touris ti pe vini par santainn. Zordi, premie fwa mo trouv la plaz Flic-en-Flac dezer net"he says. According to him, the merchants beach " resk pa fer lavant. Travay kalm net… Nou renkont difikilte depi 2012 ! ".

For its part, a pair of European tourists on holiday in Mauritius believes that the price of services offered in some hotels are "too high". " The price is expensive compared to the service. They need to improve the service for better quality products. This will certainly increase the amount of tourists. And if there are less tourists coming to Mauritius nowadays, I think it’s because of the price of the flight ticket and the package that the hotels suggest to the client, "he says.

Gaëtan (taxi driver): "Insecurity scares tourists ..."

Gaëtan, a taxi driver operating in Flic-en-Flac, supports not receive the same performance as before. He also argues that "insecurity in the country scares tourists. So they are suspicious. " "With everything that's going on lately, theft, murder, or scams, foreigners think twice before choosing the Mauritian destination. "With the economic crisis that currently exists in the world, he adds," the tourists prefer to travel by bus rather than taxi. " " Problem-la aster seki bann taxi pa kapav reduir zot prix akoz nou ena enn bann tax pou paye. Apre ena osi problem sofer taxi maron kokin nou travay. "

Cyril Mourgine (a business owner): "Turnover in decline"

Cyril Mourgine, which runs for 25 years a small business in Flic-en-Flac, said see every year, "a decline in its revenues." "With the crisis and the price of the ticket and the hotel is not within the reach of every budget, Mauritius is gradually losing its role in the tourism market," he argues.

Today, says Mr. Mourgine, "tourists are turning more to the bungalows as hotels. The reason is simple: by opting for this type of housing, they are free. They can do this only when they are confined to the hotel they want ... "To boost tourism in Mauritius, he believes we should" beautify our beaches, make them cleaner. " " Bann morisien kapav amelior lakey osi," he concludes.

Murielle Inassee (Fragawill): "Difficulty in selling our excursions"

" Notre chiffre d’affaires est en baisse et nou pa pe kapav fer nanie !"Murielle Inassee supports working from five in the family business, Fragawills in Flic-en-Flac. "We thus encounter difficulties in selling our tours," she laments.

In order to boost the tourism sector in Mauritius, Ms. Inassee explains that "it is essential to review the price of airline tickets and offer more promotions in our hotels. Which will benefit all those who operate in this sector. "

Martine (tour operator): "Not enough pubs to promote innovative destination"

Martine, tour operator, says that unlike Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, among others, have managed to develop a sales strategy to maintain their level in the field of tourism. "We do not have enough innovative commercials to promote the image of Mauritius. The exorbitant prices of hotel services discourage tourists to come. The 5-star hotels do not work contrary to small hotels that are filled as the proposed packages are different. The 5-star hotel offers a half board while small offer a comprehensive service at an affordable price. "

For this professional tourism should also organize more events such as forums, which would put forward offers of Mauritius. "The MTPA, in collaboration with the other islands of the Indian Ocean, organize fairs to inform tourists. It should also review our presence on the internet because many tourists say that our sites are not explicit enough. "

Raffick Bahadoor (President of the Taxi Proprietors Union): "We must denounce abuse prizes! "

Tourists, according to the president of the Taxi Proprietors Union take gradually realize that "some hotels abuse on prices over the money." " Zot pe pay enn servis ser alor ki zot pe kapav gagn sa pou mwin ser en dehor lotel ! Bizin denons sa bann abi-la. Mem o nivo bann sofer taxi, nou pa interese travay ar bann lotel akoz banla pe fini nou et la osi, bann tourist la pe prefer voyaz par bis  "he says. He added: " Nou tou nou perdan dan sa zistwar la ! Minis Touris bizin koumans mett lord dan bon fonksionma bann lotel parski touris kan zot pe vini, zot pe plis senti zot prisonie et zot pena sa liberte bouze… "

Corinne Robert (consultant): "We must focus on e-marketing"

Corinne Robert, Consultant in Grand Baie La Croisette, is adamant about the fact to focus on e-marketing to attract tourists in malls. "The visibility is gained through the internet - Facebook, Trip advisor ... - and travel magazines. The tourist when he travels, he can put his thoughts on the net. It is a way to create a link with the customer before coming to Mauritius. The tourist is the best ambassador of a country. Its mission is not only to discover our island, its culture, its food but also for shopping and bargains. In addition, a tourist who buys clothing brand has the advantage of being VAT refund at the airport! "

To boost the sales of shopping malls, Corinne Robert highlights the importance of positioning the strategic moments of the year, when tourist arrivals are more frequent.

"The difference lies in the commercial offer, the quality of service and the type of event. We need the tourist arrives to entertain between purchases. This is where the "shopping mall concept" has its appeal because it offers under one roof: shopping, food, entertainment and relaxation. Do not forget the Mauritian expatriates who also attend the malls, "she said.

The tourist advance the consultant, "is in the immediate future. It connects to the internet and knows exactly the place that meets their expectations. It is in a different psychological dynamics. He thought. "He continued:" Trading has its habits and its proximity to people. To last, it must be attracting a clientele that has a purchasing power. The crisis has certainly dampened some destinations because there was this domino effect, but to attract customers either in hotels or restaurants, we must focus on the snapshot. It is in the air of the snapshot and the tourist does not want this outdated image of sandy beach. He wants an authentic experience, quality service! "

It is also high time, says Robert of "revive the Vanilla Islands concept." "It is a regional reconciliation and to sell the islands of the Indian Ocean as a whole. The new airport of Mauritius is also a great asset to our business card. "