Budget 2022/2023: Measures to reach 1.4 million tourists

Finance Minister Dr Renganaden Padayachy has enunciated a series of budgetary measures aimed at enhancing the tourism sector in order to achieve pre-pandemic figures in the next financial year, that is, 1.4 million tourists.

The key measures are: 

• An increase in the marketing budget of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) by more than 10 %, notably, from Rs 360 million to Rs 400 million to consolidate existing markets, tap into new opportunities and niche markets;
• Personalised facilities, such as transfers from the airport to hotels by helicopter, will be offered by Airport Holdings Ltd to accommodate ultrahigh net worth passengers;
• The 50 percent lease rent waiver is being extended up to June 2023 to support hotels in their refurbishment;
• Events with a minimum of 50 participants will be eligible to benefit from VAT refund under the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) scheme. 
• Rs 150 million is being provided over the next three years for the rejuvenation of the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden;
• All incoming passengers of Air Mauritius will receive a voucher of Rs 200 to be spent on arrival at the Mauritius Duty Free Paradise and;
• A 10-year blueprint will be prepared.

Source: GIS Mauritius