All-inclusives

Mauritius

Definition of “all-inclusives”

• All, or almost all, of the holiday costs are included (prepaid price)–Accommodation– Transport and transfer–Meals and drinks– Entertainment– Sports facilities and daytime activities

Mauritius - Introduction

• Capital: Port Louis• An island in the Indian Ocean• Sub-tropical climate, warm all year round• Population: 1.3 m• Language: English (official), Creole, French• Flight time 11 hours from Europe

Mauritius - Tourism

• “World Travel Awards”:–2011 World’s Leading Beach Destination–2011 World’s Leading Island Destination

• 950,000 visitors in 2011, and rising• $ 1.3 billion tourism income• $ 9.9 million marketing budget (for Europe)• Suffered under European economic crisis (less

long-haul tourists)

Mauritius - Competition?

• Competitors: Indian Ocean islands like Maledives, Sri Lanka, Seychelles

• Sun, sea, sand• Needs to differeniate itself:–Cultural destination– Eco-tourism destination–Wedding destination–Golf (up and coming)

Mauritius – Demand?

• Two thirds of tourists are from Europe• Mainly ABC (social economic group)• Average age in 2006: 40 (men), 39 (women)• Average party size (2006): 2.1 people• 71% travel on package tour (more likely for

first time visitors)• 85% emloyed, 9 % retired, 3 % students

Mauritius Demand (cont.)

• Purpose of visit (2008):–Holiday: 821,000+– Transit: 42.000+–Business: 32,000+–Conference: 5,000+– Sports: 1,000+–Other/ not stated: 27,000+

• Popular wedding and honeymoon destination

Mauritius – Tourism Provision

• 51 UK tour operators (Thomas Cook, Virgin, Thomson…) provide accommodation in M.

• Average class of accommodation is 3 to 5 stars• The hotels, both foreign- and domestic-owned,

tend to recruit people from the local community as workers .

• In terms of businesses with local enterprises, the hotels purchased most of their food items locally, although many hotel managers complained about the quality.

All-inclusive example: Blue Lagoon Beach

Hotel- Blue Bay• 3 Star• Capacity: 72 guest rooms• Facilities: water sports, pools, kids club, spa,

tennis courts, gym, private beach, golf court• Services: 2 restaurants, pool, dive centre,

wellness centre, massage, boutique, car rental, dry cleaning and laundry, entertainment shows, table tennis, darts, lobby games, water sports

All-inclusive example: Blue Lagoon Beach Hotel- Blue Bay

All-inclusive example: Le Mauricia

• 4 Star• Capacity: 237 • Facilities: Kids Club, Restaurants, Bars, shopping centre, 3

tennis courts, table tennis, dart boards, volleyball, gymnasium, stretching, taebo, bocciball, hammam and sauna, water sports: water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, kayak, glass bottom boat, pedal boat, snorkeling, aquagym

• Special Offers: Capacitiy for wedding including an Event Organizer

• Services: Breakfast, lunch and dinner in all restaurants, wedding/honeymoon organization, bikerental

All-inclusive example: Hilton Mauritius Resort and Spa Hotel• 5 Star +• Indian Ocean's Leading Resort 2011’ at the

World Travel Awards 2011• Capacity: 139 guest rooms• Facilities: water sports, pools, kids club, spa,

tennis courts, gym, private beach, golf court• Services: 4 restaurants, 2 bars, beauty salon,

florist, gift shop, car/bike rental, news stand

All-inclusive example: Hilton Mauritius Resort and Spa Hotel

Impact on livelihoods

• Some residents surveyed were concerned about the price inflation resulting from tourism, and the limited availability of quality items such as vegetables, fruit and seafood, as most of these are sold to the hotels

• Local inhabitants and businesses benefited from better road conditions, sewage systems, communication infrastructure and also new or better police and fire services.

Conclusion

References• Mintel• World Tourism Awards (

http://www.worldtravelawards.com/profile-1725-mauritius-tourism-promotion-authority, accessed on 06.03.2012)

• Bloomberg (www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-07/mauritius-tourism-growth-to-exceed-estimate-this-year-minister-bodha-says.html accessed on 06.03.2012)

• Hilton Hotel Mauritius (http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/MRUHIHI-Hilton-Mauritius-Resort-Spa/index.do)

• Blue Lagoon Hotel (http://www.lastminute.com/site/find/World/Indian-Ocean/Mauritius/LMN-Holiday-691979946.html)