Face to this second wave of Covid 19, the T letter in our A to Z affected Mauritius need a particular attention! The Tourism sector, being a feeder for other sectors, is our greatest source of revenue and stability. Despite the optimism manifested by the Ministry of Tourism, a freeze was inevitable! Boon or Bane, Tourism industry is at crossroads since we can no longer boast upon being a Covid Free/ Safe country.
Should we wait for the global pandemic situation to smoothen favourably for the sector? Should we refine or redefine the past strategies put in trial in 2020? Or simply treat this pandemic period as a low season and be creative with brand new strategies that could be pushed forward as soon as the borders will be open?
Close down, massive unemployment, related sectors are in survival mode, not to say all sectors are in survival mode… Safety, security, luxury and attractions need to be quickly redefined in order to create back the interest of the tourist in our country and at the same time bring a certain peace of mind for Mauritians. Mandatory Vaccine and Covid 19 Pass and instauration of a new code of ethics for residents, tourist and business travellers, that could eventually guarantee Mauritius as a quarantine free destination may also help in bringing this peace of mind and ensure a continuity of Business. Media and Social Media Marketing will have their role to play to ensure the revival of this so important economic sector
The situation is indeed scary. Levelling with our own recent best period, the 2018 statistics of, approximately 1.4 million tourists and Rs 65 Billion of forex is definitely an illusion. But, it is not the end of anything, Tourism can bloom again. Face to what we may consider be an ‘”Act of God”, Force Majeure Re-re- invention strategies are to be adopted and adapted for Mauritius to “stand tall” in Tourism in the Indian Ocean and this pandemic Struggle.
