The Regional Tourism Observatory published the figures for tourist activity in 2022 at the beginning of April, which unsurprisingly confirm a strong increase in attendance on the island after two years of health crisis. Reunion Island welcomed 495,473 foreign tourists last year, almost twice as much as in 2021, but a little less than in 2019. External attendance generated revenue estimated at 416,6 million euros, higher than those of 2019 (410 million euros). Metropolitan France remains the main source market : 82,7% of total visitors, or 409,848 tourists, were residents in France in 2022. Visits from other Indian Ocean islands increased by almost 200% as borders reopened : they represented 10,5% of total attendance, i.e. 51,935 tourists. The third emitting basin is Europe (outside mainland France) which increases by 199% and represents 5,4% of total customers, i.e. 26,808 tourists in 2022. These European tourists mainly come from Belgium, from Switzerland and Germany. Approval customers (48 %) has once again become more numerous than the affinity clientele (42% of visitors came mainly to meet parents or friends). Business customers (40,871 tourists) represented 8,2% of arrivals, et 41,7% of tourists this year made their first trip to the island last year. Reunion Island Tourism is banking on a continuation of the trend in 2023 to exceed 500,000 arrivals and the records of pre-crisis years. When presenting these results, Patrick Lebreton, president of the IRT, insisted on the weight of local attendance for the sector. A study carried out in 2022 confirmed this : Reunion Islanders like to enjoy their island and consume its tourist products and services. Taking into account stays and excursions, the total tourist revenue generated by local customers in 2022 is estimated at 1,35 billion euros.
