Substantial post-pandemic growth

The performance of the hotel sector in Mauritius has been remarkable since the pandemic, showcasing strong recovery and growth. Two leading hotel groups, New Mauritius Hotels Ltd and Lux Island Resorts Ltd, provide insightful benchmarks for this analysis.

In 2023, New Mauritius Hotels Ltd reported a turnover of Rs 15,408.26 million with a profit before tax (PBT) of Rs 2,595 million for the financial year ended June 2024. This performance marks a significant improvement compared to the previous year, 2022, when the company reported a turnover of Rs 14,083.5 million and a PBT of Rs 2,809 million. The growth trajectory is even more impressive when compared to 2021, when the turnover was Rs 8,115.48 million with a PBT of Rs 65.58 million, reflecting the severe impact of the pandemic.

Lux Island Resorts Ltd also demonstrated substantial growth, reporting a turnover of Rs 9,763 million and a PBT of Rs 1,373 million for the year ended June 2024. In 2022, the company had a turnover of Rs 8,265 million and a PBT of Rs 1,733 million. The comparison with 2021 figures, where the turnover was Rs 2,306 million and a loss before tax of Rs 115.4 million, highlights the significant recovery and successful strategies implemented post-pandemic.

Other notable performers in 2023 include Sun Resorts Ltd, with a turnover of Rs 8,765 million and a PBT of Rs 2,630 million, and Constance Hotels Services Ltd, which achieved a turnover of Rs 5,727.1 million and a PBT of Rs 422.3 million.

According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, international tourist arrivals reached 96% of pre-pandemic levels through July 2024, driven by strong demand in Europe and the reopening of markets in Asia and the Pacific. Africa attracted 7% more visitors than in 2019 and Maldives topped the ranking with a growth of 19%.

The industry’s rebound can be attributed to several factors, including strategic investments in marketing and infrastructure, innovative service offerings, and a strong focus on health and safety protocols to regain customer confidence. Hotels are increasingly embracing sustainable practices and showcasing their contribution to protect Nature, thus attracting selective clients. Furthermore, the favourable exchange rate of the Mauritian Rupee compared to the Euro and Dollar contributes to the attractiveness of the destination.

The global trend of increasing travel and tourism, coupled with Mauritius’ appeal as a safe and desirable destination, has also played a crucial role in this resurgence. In fine, the hotel sector in Mauritius has not only recovered from the pandemic but has shown substantial growth.