The pre-budget consultative meeting with representatives from l’Association des Hôteliers et Restaurateurs de l’Ile Maurice (AHRIM), l’Association des Hotels de Charme, Association des Agences de Locations Saisonnières was held, this afternoon, in Port Louis, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy.
In a statement after the meeting, the President of AHRIM, Mr Desiré Elliah, emphasised that the relaunch of the tourist industry is underway and that the sector’s partners are working towards attracting one million tourists by the end of the year. To achieve this target, there is a need to increase airline seats and flights as well as engage in a dialogue with Government and the private sector, he added.
Furthermore, Mr Elliah underlined that the lack of trained personnel in the tourist sector is a major drawback. This situation, he observed, is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which has compelled many employees to seek employment on cruise ships and to go abroad. Hence the need to incite more youth to join the industry and to provide them with training, he said.
The President of l’Association des Hȏtels de Charme, Mr Bissoon Mungroo, for his part, stated that the meeting with the Finance Minister was very fruitful and positive. According to him, the tourist industry needs to reinvent itself to match with international tourism. He indicated that the target of attracting some one million tourists by the end of the year is achievable if the Government and airline companies work together. He also announced that as from July this year, Emirates Airline will operate two flights per week in Mauritius.
Mr Mungroo moreover underpinned the need for training of employees in the sector. He deplored that the lack of a skilled workforce has led to a deterioration of the service.
