Les Assises du Tourisme 2 June 2017

1. Les Assises du Tourisme2 June 2017 Ministry of Tourism

2. Attractiveness Sub-committees set up on: • Product Development                     (Mrs. L. Sanspeur, Principal Tourism Planner, Ministry of Tourism) • Human Resource Development     (Mr. V. Kowlessur, Principal Tourism Planner, Ministry of Tourism) • Ground Transportation                 (Mr. R. Moolye, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism) • Safety and Security                         (Mrs. K. Maudarbocus-Boodoo, Director , Tourism Authority) • Cleanliness and Stray Dogs             (Mrs. K. Maudarbocus-Boodoo, Director , Tourism Authority) • Business Facilitation                        (Mrs. K. Maudarbocus-Boodoo, Director , Tourism Authority)

3. TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

4. Core Tourism Product 3S namely Sea, Sand and Sun as core tourism product though we have made inroads into other niche products such as Golf, Wellness, Shopping, Medical and Sports tourism amongst others. Scan of the marketplace calls for PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION and DIVERSIFICATION.

5. Scan of the Market Place • The product has reached MATURITY and needs REJUVENATION • We are in a buyer’s market. The tourism product has to be market responsive and demand driven • Demand Fragmentation: New products being offered by existing and emerging destinations • Technology driven market place – a game changer • Demand trends are more of a qualitative nature rather than quantitative • Environment conscious tourists with greater awareness on preservation of the environment • Higher expectations from tourists, especially “millenials” looking for more participative and active tourism. Demand for an experience rather than a stay.

6. Findings of the Sub-Committee on Product Development • Existing products need to go through the process of continual renewal and development to maintain our competitive edge. • Improvement and enhancement of the tourism product doesn't mean doing away with the existing core product which on the contrary has to be maintained and consolidated. • Underuse of existing historical buildings and products which are not being put to optimal use (Citadelle, Batelage, le Val Nature Park, Ferme des Rhums ,etc)

7. Findings of the Sub-Committee on Product Development • Many cultural activities (festivals, open days, concerts, art exhibitions) are being organised in Mauritius. However, organising agencies are operating in silo. Missed opportunities as a result of lack of communication and coordination. • Need to develop innovative products which are unique to Mauritius and which will help to differentiate from other destinations. • Sustainability of tourism is intrinsically linked with the preservation of the environment.

8. Findings of the Sub-Committee on Product Development • To ensure sustainability of the industry concentration and pressure on our coastal resources need to be relieved • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

9. RECOMMENDATIONS ON TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

10. Major strategic thrusts • Coastal rehabilitation and re-engineering • Revitalization of heritage sites and historical buildings. • More coordinated and aggressive promotion of historical sites and cultural events. • Development of “Only in Mauritius” Products. • Promotion of Mauritius as a festive and vibrant destination with emphasis on entertainment and experience. • Mainstreaming biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial, into tourism product development to promote ecotourism and to enable islet hopping. • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

11. Major strategic thrusts • Enhance the rural flavour of the destination through greening. • Promote Mauritius as a Tourism Hub in the Indian Ocean. • Review of Legislation/Policies . • New inroads into accommodation sector • Promotion of community-based tourism • Boosting investment in innovative tourism products • Revisit the shopping experience • Staging mega events of international standard • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

12. Key recommendations • To have recourse to avant-garde technologies in combating beach erosion and loss of beach cover • To elaborate integrated beach management plans • Thematic approach in restoring heritage and historical sites and buildings • To promote street food, street art and street music • To set up an independent Trust which will be responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of buildings of historical and cultural value • To develop pocket sized brochures pertaining to each specific area of interest • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

13. Key recommendations • To develop a digital application comprising maps and information on the historical and cultural heritage • To mount a National Excursion Tour with main landmarks of historical value that will retrace the history of the island • To set up a cultural village which will showcase the typical local activities • To organise a national architectural competition for the selection of a national landmark statue. • To develop regional thematic entertainment centres in tourist zones as vibrant hotspots for night entertainment • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

14. Key recommendations • Hotels to showcase local artists and permanent shows instead of having recourse to in-house hotel staff for entertainment. • Toidentify a lead agency to scan all cultural activities, products and attractions for promotion. • Todevelop islets with a recreational and tourism potential for the promotion of eco-tourism • To consider the creation of a sea turtle sanctuary and a Giant Aldabra tortoise park on Flat Island. • To revive the “Fleurir Maurice campaign” and create green belts • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

15. Key recommendations • Mauritius should through the Vanilla Islands initiative strengthen its position as a gateway to regional tourism and enhance its role as a tourism hub. • To review the Shooting and Fishing Lease act, Maritime Zone Act, Beach Authority (Use of Public Beach) Regulations 2004 . • Todevelop one islet into an exclusive luxury hideaway • To develop casino hotels, Convention and Exhibition Centre and Glamorous Camping. • To set up a Tourism Development Support Scheme • Toorganisemore interactive retailing as in Rodrigues and holding of Flea markets with locally made produce. • To consider the organisation of a second edition of the “Festival de la Mer” during the off peak season • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

16. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

17. Findings • Shortage of skills and capacity constraints • Jobs in the hotel and tourism sector no longer attractive and appealing to the youth. • Availability and sharing of data on employment in the tourism sector to be further improved. • More collaboration / synergy is required between training institutions, the industry and relevant Ministries. • Inadequate training programmesin language and soft /cultural skills. • No formal training undertaken by most of the tour guides • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

18. Recommendations • Mainstream tourism and hospitality in the school curriculum • EcoleHoteliere Sir Gaetan Duval to formulate cutting-edge strategies to meet the quantity and quality of the training needs of the industry under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism • Creation of pathways for degree holders in other fields to join the sector • Training Institution to design certification programmes for employees with no academic qualifications • Tailor-made training programmesto be devised to meet the specific requirements of: IRS, RES, specialized cuisines and small tourism businesses.

19. Recommendations • The Hotel and Tourism industry to rekindle the interest in the sector to attract school leavers and for staff retention and recognition. • Counsellingon job prospects and career guidance to start as early as Form IV. • To provide opportunities to local recruits to perform at top management level. • To set up a database on job seekers having gained experience overseas by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Training • To train front liners in foreign languages particularly Chinese, Arabic and soft/cultural skills.

20. GROUND TRANSPORTATION

21. Findings • Duplication of procedures – licences being issued by 2 licensing bodies for tour operator services. • Roles and functions of a Tour Operator and taxi attached to hotels NOT clearly defined. • No proper forum currently exists to address the concerns of taxis based at hotels. • Lack of enforcement of existing legislation. • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

22. Findings • No Training provided to Taxi Operators • No instant sharing of information between authorities resulting in lengthy procedures. • Taxi operators attached to hotels out of employment due to closure/renovation of hotels • Taxi Operators attached to hotels still operating in their traditional mode • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

23. Recommendations • To streamline procedures - Only one licensing body to regulate the activities of tour operators. • To establish a legal framework to clearly demarcate the role and functions of Tour Operator and taxis based at hotels. • To introduce appropriate legislation to clearly define and demarcate the activities of contract cars, contract buses, mini buses, etc. • Tour Operators to outsource transport services to taxis based at hotels. • To set up a Coordination Committee comprising relevant stakeholders to look into problem areas faced by taxis based at hotels. • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

24. Recommendations • Police, NTA and TA officers to strictly enforce the law. • To sensitize all operators for strict abidance with the provisions of the Tourism Authority Act and Road Traffic Act. • Proper monitoring should be carried out by the Authorities to curb illegal canvassing for transport services in hotels and on the beaches. • All taxi operators should be provided training in customer care, grooming and foreign languages by the Tourism Authority and the EcoleHoteliere Sir Gaetan Duval. • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

25. Recommendations • To create an online computerized platform (Sharing/linking of information) wherein all Authorities (TA and NTA) would get real time information on an operator. • Taxi based at hotels to be redeployed to other hotels. • Tourism Authority to develop an online booking system for taxi based at hotels. • Diversification strategy of market sources calls for a shift in the product mix. • Lack of nightlife and night entertainment • Loss in the “rural” flavour of the destination • All inclusive package may be an impediment to product diversification

26. Thank you for your attention