Mauritius will host the next meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in 2023 and this will provide visibility for Mauritius during the holding of the event, stated the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo on Tuesday afternoon, during a press conference at the seat of the Ministry of Tourism in Port Louis.
The participation of Mauritius at the 65th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa held in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, from 05 to 07 October 2022 was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister adding that Mauritius occupying the position of Vice-President of the Executive Council of the UNWTO shows that the country is a reference and a leader for regional tourism for Small Island Developing States.
The meeting, he pointed out, regrouping 50 countries, had as objectives for ministers to share perspectives on challenges posed by the COVID-19 with emphasis to rethink on employment and resilience so to better prepare for future shocks. It also aimed to promote tourism in a resilient way for inclusive socio-economic development, he said.
Exchanges with the Prime Minister of Tanzania, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, the Malagasy Minister of Tourism and other African Ministers were also on the agenda at the conference, Mr Obeegadoo indicated. He also spoke of the presence of Mauritius at the executive meeting of the UNWTO to be held this November in Morocco.
DPM Obeegadoo pointed out that the sector is recovering as the average spending per tourist and the length of stay in Mauritius have increased by 30% in dollar terms despite the decrease in tourist arrivals for July 2022 with a total of 94 084 compared to 115 448 in 2019. He expressed optimism that with these figures, the set goal of one million of tourist arrivals could be attained.
About the lack of human resources in the sector, he stated that a workshop will be organised by November 2022 regrouping all concerned partners to look for ways to motivate and attract youngsters to this sector. Another workshop will be held by December, he highlighted, to think of the Mauritian tourism product which will be beyond Sun Sea and Sand.
The danger for the tourism industry, however he underscored, is the global economic situation prevailing with high inflation rates on the main markets.
Referring to the latest statistics provided by Statistics Mauritius on the tourism sector, Mr Obeegadoo indicated that Mauritius is on the right track.
