Government Rethinking Mauritius Tourism

September 3, 2020
by Alain St.Ange
3 min read
Government Rethinking Mauritius Tourism
Mauritius
Written by Alain St.Ange

“We need to make of the difficult situation we are confronted with, an opportunity to rethink Mauritius tourism as well as its future, and government is working in partnership with the hotel industry and other stakeholders of the tourism industry to plan the steps ahead.”

This statement was made recently in the National Assembly by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism, Mr. Steven Obeegadoo, in reply to a Private Notice Question by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Arvin Boolell, in regards to the tourism sector.

Mr. Obeegadoo emphasized that government’s topmost priority, alongside safeguarding the health of its compatriots, has been the preservation of employment and protection of livelihoods.

In respect of the tourism Industry up to the end of July, an amount of some Rs 2 billion has been disbursed to more than 39,000 employees under the Wage Assistance Scheme, and an estimated amount of approximately Rs 26 million has been paid out to around 1,500 Mauritians under the Self-Employed Assistance Scheme. It is estimated that an amount of Rs 500 million will be disbursed for the month of August 2020, he underlined.

DPM Obeegadoo stated that given the very dynamic global situation pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that the Wakashio crisis is not yet over, it would be futile to pronounce upon the immediate future of the tourism and hospitality sector at the present time. The Tourism Minister recalled that that in 2018, there were 1.399 million tourists who visited Mauritius of which 78% resided in hotel resorts. In 2019, the corresponding figure was 1.383 million, and for the first 3 months of 2020, 304,842 tourists visited Mauritius, the number dwindling thereafter to practically nil. He added that the figures for the first quarter of 2020 relating to the evolution of employment in the tourism sector are being compiled.

The Deputy Prime Minister underpinned that government is engaged in a delicate balancing act between the existential imperative of protecting lives on one hand and stimulating economic recovery on the other while the challenges are immense and daunting indeed for any nation and for all governments across the globe. Mr. Obeegadoo appealed for national solidarity and unflinching patriotism as the tourism market is particularly sensitive to reports and statements in the international media. We all need to act responsibly if we have at heart the future of our tourism sector, he concluded.

#rebuildingtravel

PrintLinkedInTelegramWhatsAppVKMessengerSMSRedditFlipboardPinterestTumblrXingBufferHacker NewsLineMixPocketYummlyCopy

<

You may also like

About the author

Alain St.Ange

Alain St Ange has been working in the tourism business since 2009. He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel.

He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel. After one year of

After one year of service, he was promoted to the position of CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

In 2012 the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands regional Organization was formed and St Ange was appointed as the first president of the organization.

In a 2012 cabinet re-shuffle, St Ange was appointed as Minister of Tourism and Culture which he resigned on 28 December 2016 in order to pursue a candidacy as Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation.

At the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu in China, a person who was being sought after for the “Speakers Circuit” for tourism and sustainable development was Alain St.Ange.

St.Ange is the former Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine who left office in December last year to run for the position of Secretary General of the UNWTO. When his candidature or document of endorsement was withdrawn by his country just a day before the elections in Madrid, Alain St.Ange showed his greatness as a speaker when he addressed the UNWTO gathering with grace, passion, and style.

His moving speech was recorded as the one on the best marking speeches at this UN international body.

African countries often remember his Uganda address for the East Africa Tourism Platform when he was a guest of honor.

As former Tourism Minister, St.Ange was a regular and popular speaker and was often seen addressing forums and conferences on behalf of his country. His ability to speak ‘off the cuff’ was always seen as a rare ability. He often said he speaks from the heart.

In Seychelles he is remembered for a marking address at the official opening of the island’s Carnaval International de Victoria when he reiterated the words of John Lennon famous song… ” you may say I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one. One day you will all join us and the world will be better as one”. The world press contingent gathered in Seychelles on the day ran with the words by St.Ange which made headlines everywhere.

St.Ange delivered the keynote address for the “Tourism & Business Conference in Canada”

Seychelles is a good example for sustainable tourism. This is therefore not surprising to see Alain St.Ange being sought after as a speaker on the international circuit.

Member of Travelmarketingnetwork.

View all posts
Share to...
BufferCopyFlipboardHacker NewsLineLinkedInMessengerMixPinterestPocketPrintRedditSMSTelegramTumblrVKWhatsAppXing