The event was officially inaugurated by Hon. Christian Harold Richard Duval, Minister of Tourism, Mauritius, who attended as Guest of Honour alongside other international dignitaries. His presence underscored the importance Mauritius places on the Indian outbound travel market.
Record Growth Fuels Ambition
Mauritius welcomed 75,808 Indian visitors between January and December 2025, representing a strong 35 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The milestone growth has reinforced India’s status as a priority market and provided momentum for more aggressive expansion plans.
The MTPA delegation, led by Chairman Mr. Dinesh Burrenchobay and Director Mr. Benoît Harter, outlined an actionable roadmap built on enhanced air connectivity, strategic trade partnerships, and targeted marketing campaigns designed to accelerate arrivals from across India.
Speaking at OTM 2026, Minister Duval reaffirmed India’s strategic importance. He emphasised that strengthening air corridors and building closer collaboration with Indian travel partners would ensure Mauritius remains a seamless and preferred destination for leisure holidays, corporate travel, and celebratory events.
Expanding Beyond Metro Markets
Chairman Burrenchobay described the 35 per cent growth as evidence of the deepening relationship between Mauritius and India, noting that increased air capacity has directly supported the upward trend.
Beyond traditional metro markets, Mauritius is now targeting India’s rapidly expanding Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The strategy also prioritises bolstered flight connectivity, expansion of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), wellness and golf tourism segments, and promotion of the island’s shared spiritual and cultural links with India.
A significant focus will be placed on attracting Gen Z and first-time young Indian travellers, who increasingly favour immersive and experiential travel. Mauritius aims to position itself as a destination that offers both inland adventures and water-based experiences, catering to a new generation of explorers.
Strategic Partnerships to Drive Growth
To remove barriers and simplify the travel journey, the MTPA signed strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with key Indian travel and aviation players, including IndiGo, MakeMyTrip, and Thomas Cook (India).
These long-term collaborations are designed to enhance destination visibility, expand booking accessibility, and drive awareness across India’s diverse travel markets. According to Director Harter, the partnerships are fundamentally about making Mauritius an easy, seamless, and natural choice for Indian travellers—from flight connectivity to booking and overall travel planning.
By strengthening distribution networks and reducing friction points in the customer journey, Mauritius hopes to unlock the vast potential of India’s outbound tourism market.
Recognition on the Regional Stage
The island’s efforts were recognised at OTM 2026, where Mauritius received the prestigious Luxury Island Tourism Award. The accolade highlights the destination’s growing reputation for premium hospitality experiences tailored to evolving traveller preferences.
Key Pillars of the India Strategy
The updated India-focused roadmap rests on several core pillars:
- Connectivity & Capacity: Closer airline collaboration to increase flight frequencies and expand access from multiple Indian hubs.
- MICE & Wedding Tourism: Leveraging world-class resorts and event infrastructure to attract corporate incentives and high-value destination weddings.
- Wellness & Spiritual Travel: Promoting Mauritius as a sanctuary for rejuvenation and transformative journeys, tapping into India’s growing demand for holistic travel experiences.
- Digital Influence & Gen Z Outreach: High-impact marketing campaigns targeting younger, adventure-driven travellers who prioritise authentic and shareable experiences.
Seamless Access for Indian Travellers
Connectivity remains a major strength. Direct flights operated by Air Mauritius from Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, along with services by Air India from Mumbai, provide nonstop links between the two countries. The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport serves as the primary gateway to the island.
Additionally, Mauritius offers a visa-on-arrival facility for Indian nationals, issuing single-entry visas at the airport to facilitate seamless travel.
Positioning for the Future
With sustained marketing campaigns, expanded trade alliances, and improved connectivity, Mauritius is positioning itself as a year-round destination that goes beyond beaches—offering relaxation, rejuvenation, adventure, and cultural richness in equal measure.
The launch of this renewed strategy at OTM 2026 signals a clear ambition: to climb the ranks among India’s preferred international destinations and redefine Mauritius’ standing in one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets.