p44-48 ttg_lux_mauritius 4/3/10 12:31 Page 48
Clockwise from top left:
Maradiva Presidential
Suite; Beachcomber
Royal Palm; Four
Seasons Mauritius;
Beachcomber Dinarobin;
Le Touessrok
HOW TO BOOK IT
Virgin Holidays offers seven
nights at the Heritage Le
Telfair Golf & Spa (half board)
from £1,666 per person,
including Air Mauritius flights
from Heathrow and transfers
(based on selected departures
in December). Tel: 0844 557
3982, vhols4agents.co.uk
focus must be on ensuring we make window has dropped as well,” says Sally
our flying programme work in the most Booth, marketing director at Eden Luxury
effective way possible.” Travel Group. “People want value for
The loss of Virgin may be a sour point money, but they’re now prepared to wait
for some operators who have grown to up to three weeks before their trip to select
appreciate the quality of the front-end the best option.”
concierge
Mauritius
product, but MTPA initiatives – together So for the time being, Mauritius
with the various five-star hotel renovations continues to fare well – albeit with a
When to go Wow factor
and launches on the island – will doubtless conspicuous change in booking patterns
Priciest around Le Touessrok’s three
be consolatory. and a sustained requirement to provide
Christmas, the driest private villas, cocooning
Although Kuoni ended last year 20% up tempting deals to guests. Powdery
months are May to guests with features
on 2008 for its Mauritius portfolio and white sands and temperate crystalline November when such as personal chefs,
Eden Luxury Travel Group saw an 8% waters might be what make clients
temperatures average private pools and walled
uplift in room night bookings, Elegant think of this idyllic island, but it will be
25°C. Cyclones can strike gardens. Also villa
in January and February. residences at Four
Resorts’ passenger numbers remained flat tactical and special offers that seal the
Seasons’ Anahita resort,
last year. deal in 2010. ■
Getting there from around £1,300 per
All three operators say they are happy
Air Mauritius plans to fly day, each boasting a
with their results, considering the depth direct from Heathrow minimum of four
of the economic crisis in 2009, but each
EXPERT EYE
four times weekly from bedrooms and an infinity
concedes their outcomes were achieved
April 1. BA flies direct pool.
thanks to tactical and special offers touted
from Heathrow thrice-
“Mauritius represents 25%
weekly, Emirates flies Useful contacts
by Mauritius’ hotels and resorts. of our portfolio in terms
nine times weekly via Mauritius Tourism
Ed Light, product manager at Kuoni, of turnover, so it’s an
Dubai from Heathrow, Promotion Authority is
says : “These offers were necessary to get important destination for Gatwick, Glasgow, managed in the UK by
the business as the customer was shopping us. The good news is that,
Manchester, Birmingham Hills Balfour Synergy.
around like never before. Typically it over 2009, we grew
and Newcastle. Virgin Tel: 020 7367 0923,
required discounts in the region of 25% passenger numbers by
Atlantic will continue tourism-mauritius.mu
running its twice-weekly
to 30% to secure the sale.” 22%. However, our margin fell over the same
service from Heathrow Time
Even Emirates Tours, which period as hotel rates in Mauritius dropped, on
until April 23, when it GMT +4 hours.
experienced an exceptional 160% uplift in average, by 37%. withdraws Mauritius
passenger numbers to Mauritius in 2009 The volume of offers – whether for weddings, from its schedule. In touch
and 30% increase in revenue, admits free nights or upgrades – has had an impact on
Intl dial code: 00230;
results were partly accomplished by extras buying patterns. Clients now wait to see what
Getting around strong mobile networks.
Most resorts offer private
such as free business-class upgrades on deals they can get. Even the booking window for
transfers from SSR Cashflow
Emirates flights. weddings and honeymoons has contracted too,
International Airport. £1 ≈ MUR47.6 (Mauritian
Operators agree offers will still have to with some couples waiting until just five months
Taxis or hire cars are rupees).
be around in 2010 to deliver volumes and before to book their trip. recommended if clients
while Le Saint Geran, The Residence, Royal As an island, it’s great for nature lovers with
want to see more of the Coming soon
Palm and Le Touessrok remain top-sellers, 28 miles of wide highlands and lowlands to
island. Constance Le Prince
Maurice will convert 12
even repeat guests at these leading luxury explore, which we stress to clients. You can go
Who goes? senior suites into villas in
resorts are looking walking, quad-biking, adventure into mountains
Mostly wedding parties May. Maradiva Villas
for value for and visit an extinct volcano. For me, one of the
and honeymooners. Also Resort & Spa – the new
money deals such great things about Mauritius is that there’s no popular with families name for the Taj Exotica
as free half-board way you’re ever going to get bored.”
thanks to safe beaches – will be refurbished
upgrades. Shamira Kaumaya-Hatt,
and in-resort kids clubs. later this year.
48
“The booking commercial manager, Sunset Faraway Holidays
feature mauritius
spring 2010 ttgluxury.com
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