Survey reveals 16% of tourism-related businesses will close down

A survey carried out by Business Mauritius on the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses in Mauritius revealed that the accommodation and food sector will be the most impacted by the pandemic.

The survey showed that 46% of companies engaged in ‘accommodation’ are partially in business and 46% are temporarily closed.

The survey adds that the accommodation and food service sector will record a 20% decline in sales as well.

These are mostly due to government regulations prohibiting re-opening and insufficient demands for services.

Around 16% of businesses surveyed are facing risks of closure in this sector.

The survey also revealed that 81% of manufacturing businesses are operating normally and 75% of retail trades have not been affected by the pandemic.

A 5% dip in sales has been forecasted for the wholesale and retail trade sectors.

The survey lists the major challenges ahead as being foreign exchange rates affecting imports, delays in supplies, delays in deliveries, shortage of raw materials and domestic supplier delays.