We have noted some very encouraging increase in the room occupancy rate and we have very good reasons to believe that we may reach a growth of 8% to 10% by the end of 2007. December of this year meets our experience in the same month last year, when we experienced a record-breaking growth in arrivals of 16% compared to December 2004. This December could result into a 12% growth, representing some 11,000 additional tourists. Albeit the positive signs, the 8.4% growth earmarked for 2006 at the beginning of the year cannot be attained mainly due to the chikungunya outbreak. We remain extremely vigilant regarding this threat and we make an appeal to the whole Mauritian population to do the same.

<B>Do you expect the good performance of the recent weeks – and the ones to come – to cover losses due to the chikungunya at the beginning of the year? </B>

The losses encountered for the months of March to June for the majority of hotels, cannot be replaced, taking into account the fact that the tourist product is highly perishable. Once the rooms are unoccupied, they cannot be compensated for. However, the performance in December and what could happen in the forthcoming months could result into a better yield of the tourist products.

<B>Do you believe the chikungunya virus is now behind us? So far, are you satisfied with the government’s actions to prevent the disease from propagating? </B>

The threat and risk of resurgence is omnipresent and the government, the private sector, NGOs and the population at large should remain on their guard. AHRIM is working closely collaboration with the authorities and ministry of Health to be operationally ready to face any new outbreak. We can affirm that Mauritius is better prepared this year to face the chik for the following reasons:

We have developed a set of procedures to quickly and efficiently respond to any emerging cases.

We have benefited from the expert consultancy of Singaporeans.

The public education campaign was launched last week and its objective is to sensitise and inform the entire population on the best practices to adopt.

<B>Is the association optimistic for 2007? What are your expectations? </B>

We are confident that 2007 could be the kick-start of a sustainable growth to meet the government’s vision of reaching 2 million tourists by 2015. As such, we will need at least 10% growth in arrivals next year. Our priorities will be to fill in the low season with emerging markets such as Spain and Middle East countries and consolidate our positioning in our traditional markets. India represents a major gateway during the low season in Mauritius. It is also important to build a momentum to tap new markets with high potential such as the Scandinavian countries, Russia and China.

<B>If 2007 is indeed a good year for tourism, what are the risks that we do not have enough rooms to meet the demand? Have you considered this possibility? How will the destination tackle it if this theory is proved right? </B>

To attain the expected growth in 2007, it is of critical importance to resolve the issues of limited air seat capacity and room capacity at certain periods of the year. We expect to have some 343 additional rooms and other hotel projects would be operational in 2008. However, some hotels would be temporarily closed for renovation and upgrading works and this would impact on the room capacity available.