He surely describes the budget measures as optimistic, but far from achievable. Nandcoomar Bodha, ex Minister of Foreign Affairs for MSM, finds so many anomalies that have not been taken into account before announcing the measures and the budget revenues out of the expectancy of 650,000 tourists for a period of 10 months. After the fiasco of promotion tentative on Liverpool match which costed Rs 400 million, the member of the Alliance de l’Espoir invites the Ministry of Tourism to set up and take into deep consideration, a committee of ‘truly competent’ professionals in Tourism, Foreign Affairs, PR and Marketing sectors, to come up with a realistic promotion plan where this new injection of Rs 420 million will be used efficiently. “Tourism is no longer a sectorial matter, but a National Affair”! He enunciates the urgency to reinstate a national airline.
What is the actual state of Tourism?
Tourism is on its knees! The local situation is very bleak, with no national airline, no visibility as to the sanitary situation, and a world travel industry in disarray. It is a severe blow as the industry brings 2 billion dollars of forex and directly employs 50 000 people and even more indirectly. We must be able to create a national dialogue which is constructive, and which will bring the much-needed synergy.
Are the measures announced in the budget really going to ‘relaunch’ Tourism?
The budget has forecast 650 000 tourists for a budget revenue of Rs 40 billion which is on a very high expectation as it will require around 200 flights per month, so not less than 5 to 6 daily flights which are fully boarded. From where will these tourists, come is the actual question. The promotion campaign is not about the funds available but more on how and where to spend the money. There is a need for all to sit down and come up with a strategy, which will focus on the opportunities and the risks on the traditional markets and new ones. The PR mission should be done alongside with the targeted market’s qualified PR Agencies with tailor-made strategies for each targeted country!
We must ensure that our Island’s vaccination programme is followed and completed.
We need to reopen our borders, but the decision should be in the interest of the country, to save jobs and keep the economy alive. We have had a very sad antagonistic relationship between the hotel industry and the government. There is a need for a national campaign with all stakeholders involved and a new marketing strategy on the international front. We have too many uncertainties. As regards to Air Mauritius, the sanitary passport, the herd immunity in Mauritius, the indebtedness of many hotel groups and their financial muscle to handle the crisis in
the months to come.
Therefore, the first tool is the National Airline since we are going to open to new Markets. Thinking about South Korea, Scandinavia and other new markets in Europe, if we open regular fleets, the rest will follow.
The second tool is and remains monitoring of security and insurance of the traveler. Taking into account that Mauritius is encouraging long-term tourism, that tourist will be in interaction with other tourists, Mauritian and expats. We must ensure that our Island’s vaccination programme is followed and completed. Yet, this gives no insurance of Total Immunity against the Covid Virus and Variants. It should not be omitted that a Green Zone can turn into an Orange Zone or worse a Red Zone overnight. What about the Medical Insurance of the long-term traveler, the emergencies he will need or even urgent repatriation? Every single tourist will prefer travel to Mauritius knowing he can count on a good medical insurance coverage.
Give us your overview on government’s management of the pandemic crisis, particularly for tourism.
There has been a situation where there was no dialogue and no common policies. There has been an attitude of not telling all the truth to the population, as regards to the patient zero, the variants, availability of vaccines, the calendar, and the national campaign. There is a lack of transparency and accountability as regards to figures and explanations given about major issues to have the buy in of the tourism stakeholders and the population, such as procurement of medical supplies, expenditure for many items. The dialogue is not the proper one as if the concept and priorities of the industry are not well understood at the political level!
What would you do if you were the concerned Minister?
I would start by telling the Truth to all the stakeholders, create the proper dialogue and synergy and bring all on board to find the best solutions. Not to be repeated, exploring new segments and reinvent our image on traditional markets to better re-engineer the new Mauritius product. However, as an urgent matter, I would have worked to have a national airline the soonest possible.
