Emirates showcases Mauritius for hundreds of Middle East travel agents

The road show was jointly organized by the airline and the Mauritius Ministry of Tourism, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) and Marriott International.

From Dubai, where the road show began on 4th December, it traveled to Amman, Cairo, Beirut and Kuwait, where it ended on 9th December. The destinations were selected for their strong growth potential as sources of travelers to the paradise island of Mauritius.

In each city, a joint Mauritian and Emirates delegation conducted presentations highlighting the island's attractions to the local travel trade and news media. Mauritius was represented by the country's Minister of Tourism and Leisure Mr Anil Kumar Singh Gayan, supported by Dr Karl Mootoosamy, Director MTPA.

The Emirates delegation included John Felix, Vice President Emirates Holidays, and Khadim Al Shamsi, Area Manager Mauritius, who were joined by Emirates' local area managers in the cities visited.

Leading hotel chains from Mauritius, including the One&Only Resorts and Hilton Hotels, also participated in the road show. At each stop, the delegation members and hoteliers also interacted with leading travel agents in one-to-one meetings.

Minister Gayan spoke of the close business and tourism links between Mauritius and the Middle East countries, which are contributing to growing trade volumes - more than USD $7.3 million in the case of the U.A.E. He also addressed questions on visa formalities and other travel-related issues from the participants.

As an example of his country's effort to preserve its natural environment, he pointed out that "the height of most, if not all Mauritian hotels, is less than that of an average coconut tree."

During the road show, Emirates Holidays, the largest wholesale tour operator in the Middle East, launched its top-value, special winter packages to Mauritius.

The prices include meet and assist at the International Airport in Mauritius, ground transfers, room tax and service charges on a per person, twin sharing basis. Extra benefits include five nights for the price of three or four, depending on choice of hotel, and late check out up to 18:00 hrs.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Ghaith al Ghaith, Emirates' Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide said: "We are extremely pleased with the success of the road show and honoured by the Mauritian government's partnership with us in this initiative. By doing it together we were able to strongly increase awareness of Mauritius as an exceptional destination, in key Middle East markets."

The road show was part of Emirates' long-term campaign to promote travel to Mauritius from the Middle East region, one of its most significant markets. Emirates recently introduced First Class service and a larger aircraft on its Mauritius route, to better meet demand from the region.

Emirates now operates a Boeing 777-200 on its Mauritius service with a three-class configuration of 18 First, 49 Business and 236 Economy Class seats.

Currently, Emirates flies non-stop four times a week from Dubai to Mauritius. Outbound flight EK701 departs Dubai every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 02:20hrs, arriving in Mauritius the same morning at 08:55hrs. Return flight EK702 operates on the same days, departing Mauritius at 23:20hrs and touching down in Dubai the next morning at 05:55hrs.