2 Top MTPA Officials Revoked Over Ministry Travel Regulation Breach

The Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Avinash Kanti Teelock, has been sacked less than six months into the job, alongside the Chairperson of the Board, Claire Le Lay, following a recent row over alleged unauthorised business class travel to London.

Mr. Teelock, appointed in May, and Ms. Le Lay were both revoked from their positions on Tuesday, November 10.

The dismissals follow a report concerning the Ministry of Finance’s refusal to authorise their attendance at the latest World Travel Market in London.

Breaching Travel Regulations

Defi Media sources suggest that the two officials failed to adhere to Ministry of Finance regulations concerning overseas travel for presidents and executives of parastatal bodies.

• The MTPA had submitted a request on October 15 for authorisation for its acting president and the director-general to travel to London.
• However, the request notably failed to specify the dates of departure or return.
• When asked to provide these details, the MTPA indicated that the two officials intended to travel business class due to a lack of economy seats on Air Mauritius.

Business Class Blunder

This decision appeared to have contravened Ministry of Finance rules. Business class travel is reportedly reserved only for permanent secretaries and presidents or CEOs of parastatal bodies whose salaries are aligned with those of a permanent secretary—a condition that neither official met.

The contracts of three other directors, including Jocelyn Kwok of the Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs of Mauritius, were also reportedly terminated.

Minister’s Action and Prior Issues

The Minister of Tourism, Richard Duval, is reported to have exercised his prerogatives to terminate Claire Le Lay’s contract.

While the Ministry of Tourism attributed the decision to Mr. Duval’s dissatisfaction with the organisation’s management, other sources claim the move is linked to the aforementioned press article and the travel dispute.

• A meeting of the MTPA Board of Directors was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon following Minister Duval’s decision.
• Relations between the Tourism Minister and the MTPA were reportedly “never good.”

Furthermore, it is claimed that this was not the first instance of the president and director soliciting such privileges.

They had allegedly travelled business class previously, citing a lack of economy seats, and despite repeated reminders from the Ministry of Finance, they reportedly never reimbursed the difference between the two fares.

Source: Defi Media / Defi Media2