I have just returned from visiting Mauritius, and I am hugely heartened to report that the island in general, as well as all our regular destination service providers, are very much back on track, offering some of the Indian Ocean’s most exciting tropical coastal island opportunities.

Our favourite beach hotels, as well island destinations, are buzzing with happy holiday makers.

The paradise island has shown phenomenal resilience over the past year, in bouncing back magnificently after their devastating total cessation of any form of tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the pandemic, Mauritius’ tourism industry accounted for 19.5% of the island’s GDP, so the fall from 1.4 million visitors a year to zero between March 2020 – October 2021 meant near-ruination for many established leisure industry stakeholders. It was only averted thanks to a state sponsored stimulus of approximately 28% of the island’s GDP, which included wage support of US$400m to the 100,000+ tourism-employed residents.

Three years after the outbreak, the island celebrates a hugely successful return to welcoming high-end, relatively low-impact tourism. Figures are now close to getting back to pre-pandemic quantities. It’s encouraging news for the island’s 1.2 million inhabitants, who traditionally regard the tourism sector as the fourth largest economic contributor to the economy.

Present statistics are further boosted by average tourist visits lengthening from 9 to 14 days. The IMF tourism growth predictions are 5.4% in 2023.

Flight over reef.

Certainly, we at Nomadic Thoughts have regarded Mauritius as one of our most successful return-to destinations. Many clients have reported back with positive stories after their long awaited post-pandemic holidays. The standard of hotel facilities and services is proving resilient, despite the island suffering, like so many other destinations around the world, from such an exodus of experts from their local industry. With so many people unable to wait for the return of post-pandemic tourism, Mauritius continues to be a beacon of hope on how an organised long-term sustainability goal is paying dividends.

Thanks to the island’s all-encompassing reef, the white sand beaches remain world class, with clear turquoise water ringing an ever lush and dramatic inland scenery.

My advice – if you have the opportunity – go as soon as possible, for as long as possible.