Good news for the tourism industry, which seems set for a brilliant future. Its revenues have undoubtedly increased. ?Revenues have gone beyond Rs 20 billion for the first time ever, which shows the vitality of our tourism industry,? announced the very satisfied Tourism minister, Anil Gayan. However, even if there are reasons for rejoicing, these positive statistics have to be analysed.

The rise in revenue is a fact and should be celebrated. But what are the reasons for this increase? Revenues from the European markets have increased but arrivals from these same countries have dropped; the rise is mainly due to the rise of the euro.

<B>New hotels to open this year</B>

Arrivals from the main markets have hardly increased ? the growth rate just reaching the 5% mark. Even December was not as good as expected in terms of arrivals: only a 4.8% growth rate compared to last year at the same period. Traditional markets, especially in Europe,have not met expectations.

However, markets such as South Africa, Australia and Austria are sending more and more tourists to Mauritius. These statistics added to the fact that Mauritius received the award for ?best honeymoon destination? in Ireland and France provide a lot of hope for the future. The minister of Tourism is thus convinced that 2005 will be a good year.

The marketing campaigns by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) should boost the arrivals from traditional markets again ? that is France and Great Britain. The aim is to fill hotel rooms during the low season, the more so as new hotels are opening this year. The first one will probably be Spa in St Felix owned by Ananda Resorts. The Club Med in Albion and the Accor group hotel in Calodyne should follow.

More than increasing the number of arrivals ? a rise of 7% to 8% is expected this year ? the aim, for Anil Gayan, is to diversify what Mauritius can offer to its tourists so that we can satisfy visitors from anywhere in the world.

<B>Reactions to Naco?s report on air access</B>

The Netherlands Airport Consultants? (Naco) report has given rise to many reactions ? some positive and some negative. The Joint Economic Council (JEC) hasn?t been long to react to Naco?s report on air access policy. They say the report should be implemented as quickly as possible through the already existing Air Access Policy Unit. Donald Bunker, a Canadian consultant, has already started to study how this unit could quickly lead to concrete decisions. Raj Makoond, the JEC director, says that the organisation agrees with the report when it states that the present air access policy is outdated and should be modernised, as it is ?restrictive and anti-competitive.? The economy will soon be based on services ? ICT, financial services, tourism, knowledge hub. Inhis opinion, this means that ?air access will become a very important factor, as basic as having electricity and a supply of running water ...? However, the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Mauritius has not given a warm welcome to the report which states that the cost of hotel rooms is too high. They insisted that this is simply untrue. ?The report has found that hotel tariffs have increased between 2001 and 2004. We must remind them that the euro and other foreign currencies have risen in value compared to the Mauritian rupee during the same period,? said Patrice Hardy, vice-preseident of AHRIM and manager of Naïade Resorts.