Mauritius Hosts 2026 Golf Event, Boosting Tourism & Global Profile

Mauritius is positioning itself as a premier golf destination by hosting the MCB Ladies Classic in May 2026, a tournament part of the Ladies European Tour (LET). This event marks a significant step in boosting tourism and elevating the island’s international profile as a top-tier golf destination.

From May 1 to 3, 2026, Mauritius will host its first-ever MCB Ladies Classic, bringing the world’s best female golfers to the island’s scenic east coast.

This is a historic milestone for the Indian Ocean region, placing Mauritius in the global spotlight for women’s golf.

Among the competitors is Mimi Rhodes, a 24-year-old British golfer currently leading the LET Merit Rankings, which ranks the season’s top female players.

The field will also include Helen Briem from Germany, ranked 8th, and Chiara Tamburlini from Switzerland, ranked 10th.

Approximately 120 professional women golfers from around 35 countries are expected to compete, vying for a total prize fund of €400,000 (roughly Rs 21 million).

This tournament offers a valuable platform for Mauritius. Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, emphasized its significance:

“This is the first time Mauritius hosts a professional women’s golf tournament. The impact will be substantial. It’s an excellent opportunity to create a platform for business meetings, networking, and strengthening relationships with clients and guests.”

She added that the event has a global reach, with live broadcasts on television and social media, showcasing Mauritius’s high-quality golf courses and infrastructure.

The tournament is expected to bring notable benefits to the local tourism industry, both directly and indirectly.

The event will be held at the Legend Golf Course in Belle-Mare, a key asset of the Constance group. Designed by South African champion Hugh Baiocchi, it is the country’s first professional golf course.

Opened in January 1994, it has hosted major tournaments like the Mauritius Open. Since then, a second course, the Links Golf Course, has been added to enrich the region’s golf offerings.

Mauritius is proud to host the MCB Ladies Classic, highlighting its commitment to becoming a leading luxury golf destination.

This world-class event offers a unique opportunity to showcase Mauritius’s natural beauty and its charm as a leading golf destination,” said Jean-Jacques Vallet, CEO of Constance Hospitality.

He also highlighted the global media exposure the tournament will generate, promoting the excellence of the Constance Belle Mare Plage golf courses and their event organization expertise.

“Broadcast to millions of golf fans worldwide, the tournament will highlight the quality of our golf courses and our ability to organize major sports events with passion, commitment, and authenticity,” Vallet added.

The golf sector in Mauritius is booming. Jean-Michel Ng Tseung, CEO of MCB Group, shared similar enthusiasm:

“This is a key step in positioning Mauritius as a world-class golf destination. We are committed to growing golf on the island and increasing its international profile.”

Over the past 30 years, golf has become a strategic asset for Mauritius tourism. The country now has around ten professional golf courses spread across the north, south, east, and west.

As a result, Mauritius attracts more international golfers, a high-end clientele whose spending far exceeds that of traditional tourists.

In the Indian Ocean region, this competitive advantage is valuable. The Maldives mainly promote their lagoons and luxury hotels, while the Seychelles focus on high-end tourism but limit new development projects, according to international press.

Closer to Mauritius, Madagascar is recovering and aims to attract one million visitors with support from wealthy Middle Eastern countries. Mauritius, meanwhile, leverages golf as a key differentiator.

Tourism experts note that golf offerings have contributed to the sector’s recovery after COVID-19. In three to four years, the number of golf tourists returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Today, interest remains strong, and travel patterns are changing: golf holidays are increasingly family-oriented and less focused solely on individual play.

What about women’s golf? Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, confirms that the sport is experiencing significant growth.

An article dated July 14 on golfplanete.com highlights this trend across Asia, Europe, and North America.

The main drivers are increased accessibility through initiatives like public courses and beginner programs, the influence of golf stars such as Rory McIlroy and Nelly Korda, and technological advances like simulators and apps that make golf more appealing to young people.

In May 2026, Mauritius will host an event combining sporting excellence, tourism development, and international visibility. Golf is no longer a subtle asset for Mauritius—it has become one of its top ambassadors.

Source: Defi Media