Indians & Britons Fuel 56% Search Rise for 2025 Mauritius Christmas Holidays

Mauritius has emerged as a major festive holiday hotspot for British and Indian travellers this year, with UK searches for a “Christmas in Mauritius” getaway soaring by 56% over the past three months.

Lead: UK Demand Jumps

The significant increase in online interest has secured Mauritius’s position as the fourth most popular Christmas destination for UK travellers, according to British travel company Travelbag.

The island nation is confirming its appeal for Christmas 2025, attracting holidaymakers from the UK and India with its beaches, upmarket resorts, and facilitated direct air connections.

The 56% surge in “Christmas in Mauritius” searches puts the destination behind only Abu Dhabi (91%), Vietnam (86%), and Dubai (82%) in the UK market, while seeing it overtake rival spots like the Maldives and South Africa.

This trend highlights a broader shift in British preferences towards long-haul destinations offering sun and warmth during the festive season.

Travelbag, which established its ranking using internal booking data and Google search volumes, noted that Mauritius’s inclusion in the top five confirms its “persistent relevance” in global tourism dynamics, positioning it as a growing competitor to Middle Eastern and Asian hubs.

Context: The Value of the UK Market

The UK market is crucial to Mauritius’s tourism sector, contributing to approximately 20% of the national GDP.

The increased demand during the Christmas period translates to higher hotel occupancy, strengthened foreign currency earnings, and the creation of seasonal jobs, cementing the economic weight of the sector.

However, the competition for long-haul travellers remains intense, with Mauritius having to rival Middle Eastern hubs like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which benefit from direct flight connections and aggressive marketing.

The growing interest in Asian destinations like Vietnam also challenges the island’s standing by attracting travellers with competitive pricing and cultural experiences.

Wider Trend: Indian Tourists Prioritise Purpose and Value

In parallel, data from the Indian market indicates a turn towards international holidays, with Mauritius, alongside the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Maldives, dominating search lists.

This is attributed to the destinations’ scenic beauty, variety of experiences, and “easy accessibility.”

Indian travellers in 2025 are planning with greater clarity, purpose, and emotional connection, prioritising places that are “easy to enter, simple to navigate and rich in cultural, natural or spiritual value,” according to travel analyst Travalandtourworld.com.

For the Indian market, Mauritius captures those looking for “peaceful and predictable” holidays with its calm lagoons and luxury resorts, further eased by direct flights from major Indian cities.

Source: Defi Media