This year is supposed to be one of the best for tourism worldwide. The ?tourism assises ? organised by the ministry of Tourism and Leisure at the end of last week have been held just in time. The aim of this ?big workshop? was to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the sector in order to find ways of improving tourism arrivals and thus transform this industry into the first economic pillar of the country. Except for some organisational problems, the fair seems to have satisfied most participants. This may have given them a boost to improve their performance.

Next year tourism has to be the engine that will help the Mauritian economy survive. With the recent increase in the number of arrivals, the sector has reasons to feel satisfed and there is room for hope. Last December, there was a 16% increase in the number of tourist arrivals and the recent workshop has been an opportunity to see how to maintain this trend next year.

Mauritius is usually known for the beauty of its natural sites, the quality of its services and its warm welcome. However, this may not be enough to attract more tourists. What they can get here, they can get in other places where access is less expensive. With this in mind, the creation of a ?brand? for Mauritius has been at the centre of the plenary session. During one workshop with ?branding? as the main theme, British consultant Wally Ollins made it clear, ?A brand will make Mauritius move from a simple destination to the status of a special one.?

After the plenary session at the opening of the conference where the prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, spoke about his expectations, there were 18 workshops on various themes where professionals of the sector could come together and discuss the ways of improving the number of arrivals.

<B>Security of visitors</B>

Hence, the workshop on air access has, as expected, revived the debate. While the Mauritian skies are hardly starting to open, some believe that Mauritian air rights are ?archaic?. However, the minister of Tourism and Leisure, Xavier-Luc Duval, made it clear that there was no question of promoting mass tourism. Even if it wants to make air tickets more accessible ? especially between countries of the region to allow more trips between neighbouring countries and Mauritius ? the government will not entertain a totally open-sky policy.

The PM expects some two million tourists every year in the coming years. With this in mind, he is aware that professionals of the sector should not be the only ones to make an effort. Ensuring the security of all visitors and citizens, preserving the environment especially through education, using funds allocated for promotion more efficiently and preventing the import of contagious diseases are some of the commitments the prime minister took to ensure the viability and profitability of the sector.

If the government keeps its promises and professionals decide to work together to improve the reputation of Mauritius, the results of the conference can only be positive. After discussions, it will soon be time for action. Now that ideas have been exchanged and solutions certainly found, there is an urgent need to apply them before they end up forgotten in a drawer. ?The most important thing is the follow-up,? rightly pointed out Dinesh Burenchobay at the end of the two-day workshop.

<B>Could have been better! </B>

The Assises have certainly been a good initiative from the government and we now hope that it will prove fruitful for the development of the sector. However, the problems of ?organisation? could have caused chaos. A blackout and a failure of the air-conditioning are just two of the problems that the participants encountered, especially on Friday. Most participants appeared keener to work than to cry over their lot but the ministry must have felt bad. The Central Electricity Board (CEB) and the management of the Swami Vivekananda conference centre are passing the buck to each other but the main problem actually seems to be the lack of organisation prior to the event.