Tourist arrivals increased by 6,7 % in 2024
Mauritius welcomed 1,382,177 foreign tourists last year, figure in 6,7 % compared to 2023. At 1,300 arrivals near, The island does not manage to regain its level of attendance of 2019, reference year before the health crisis. The average length of stay of external visitors is stable, between 11 and 12 days.
European customers still make up nearly two-thirds of arrivals, the French coming well ahead (21% you total), far ahead of the English and the Germans. The Reunionese also remain a solid base for Mauritian tourism (almost 10% of the total), just like South Africans and Indians. Progress was recorded in all months of the year, July-August and December remaining peak periods.
Illegal foreigners
Nearly 2,000 foreign workers are in an irregular situation in Mauritius, according to the Passport and Immigration Office count. The vast majority are (1,730 individuals) of Bangladeshi, foreign workers being mainly recruited in Bangladesh and India by Mauritian companies lacking labor. Some of them would continue to employ them after the expiration date of their work permit.
Three Jumbo Express supermarkets close
Three supermarkets under the Jumbo Express brand permanently closed their doors in January in Mauritius : those of Curepipe, Quatre-Bornes and Beau-Bassin. They were deemed insufficiently profitable by the local subsidiary of GBH, who succeeded Vindémia, at its head in 2019. Their access difficulties and parking problems were considered prohibitive. Two stores under the Jumbo Express brand remain : those of Moka and Flic-en-Flac. They are expected to move under the Carrefour City brand by the end of the year.
Domestic industry defends its interests
A study commissioned by the AMM (Association of Mauritian Manufacturers) shows that domestic industry generates more added value than exporting companies. Mauritius in fact establishes a distinction between “domestic-oriented enterprises” and “export-oriented enterprises”, export-oriented. The study should soon deliver more complete results, and the AMM wants to take advantage of this to obtain from the new Mauritian government measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector. Local Mauritian production continues to promote its Made in Moris label at the same time..
