In a wide-ranging interview with TTG, in which he touched on the prospect of new developments, additional air connectivity and how Mauritius is preserving and promoting its heritage, Dinesh Burrenchobay said he was "surprised" by the Maldives' decision to extend its Tourism Goods and Services Tax to overseas tour operators, travel agents and booking platforms selling the destination, questioning the timing amid disruption to tourism caused by the situation in the Middle East.
"Tourism is not going up in a lot of countries," he said. "We most likely will take opportunity [from the tax] – definitely indirectly."
Burrenchobay did not outline any specific plans to capitalise on the development, but said Mauritius would make several announcements aimed specifically at the UK market at World Travel Market in London next month.
The new Maldives tax regime was due to take effect from 1 October, but following calls from the UK travel sector for a grace period, it has been reported in the Maldivian media that implementation had been postponed until 1 April 2027. Abta has said it is seeking clarity on the arrangements.
Burrenchobay added Mauritius remained "cautiously optimistic" about tourism demand despite the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, noting that booking windows had shortened considerably.
"Last-minute booking has moved from three months to one month, even a week before booking," he said. "But it's very volatile and, of course, completely out of our control."
Mauritius sees 'little room' for new coastal resorts
The Chair said he did not envisage any major new resort developments along Mauritius's coastline, citing the limited space available and the need to assess the coast as a whole.
Burrenchobay said he "personally does not see" further major coastal development, adding smaller-scale accommodation could be more appropriate inland. He suggested options such as "bubble lodges" and "tented stays" as alternatives that could be integrated into the surrounding environment.
His comments come as Mauritius seeks to build on record visitor arrivals of 1.436 million last year. Burrenchobay said existing hotels had been undertaking "phased" refurbishments, helping maintain the quality of the island's accommodation portfolio, before clarifying any developments already under way would continue.
Air Mauritius urged to increase Gatwick frequencies
Improving access from the UK remains another priority for the destination, with Burrenchobay saying he was keen to see more flights and additional opportunities to bring British visitors to the island. "I'm never happy with our connectivity," he said. "I want more and more, because my whole goal is to bring more and more tourists to Mauritius."
He said Mauritius was working with Air Mauritius to encourage additional Gatwick frequencies, to which the national carrier currently operates its non-stop service up to five times a week.
Burrenchobay also highlighted the role of connecting services through Dubai and Istanbul in bringing visitors from the UK's regions to Mauritius, particularly those who do not want to travel to London for a direct flight.
Additional direct capacity would give UK agents and tour operators more options when packaging holidays and could help Mauritius reach travellers beyond its traditional London catchment, said the Chair.
Hotels 'can't operate in a silo'
Alongside its commercial priorities, Mauritius is seeking to encourage visitors to explore more of the island beyond its resorts, with a focus on its culinary scene, its heritage, and "wonderful hiking opportunities".
Burrenchobay said the aim was to give visitors a deeper understanding of Mauritian life and culture, including its multicultural society. "We're a country of immigrants," he said.
"We've come from Asia, China, Africa – a lot of my European friends have said visiting Mauritius is an eye-opening experience because of how well people live next to each other."
He also highlighted efforts by hotels to work with local suppliers and initiatives that allow visitors to experience local life more directly.
"I know some hotels who encourage their team members to invite guests into their homes," he said. "A number have also set up purchasing systems where they buy fish, meat and vegetables from local suppliers.
"They cannot operate in a silo and ignore everything that is going around them – the community, the villages, that is the real Mauritius."
