If tourist arrivals keep increasing, Mauritius might face new difficulties. Even though the ministry of Tourism is rubbing its hands at the idea of welcoming a growing number of tourists, it is reflecting on the way of accommodating so many visitors. Only some 315 additional rooms will be available this year with the opening of the Shanti Ananda at the end of last year and the future Club Med in Albion in July.

Thanks to the arrival of new airlines and the important advertising campaign after the chikungunya, tourist arrivals have been boosted since the end of last year. The ministry is expecting between 8% and 10% growth for this year. French Corsairfly, South African British Airways Comair and, more recently, Italian Eurofly are the newcomers in the Mauritian sky. Other airlines have been mentioned but the only certainty so far lies in the arrival of Virgin Airlines next October. Sir Richard Branson, Virgin?s big boss, is expected to be part of the first Virgin Atlantic flight in Mauritius.

But how far will these airlines be beneficial to the market if hotels can?t follow the lead? The minister of Tourism, Xavier-Luc Duval, is of the opinion that a special effort should be made on the low season. He believes that visitors living in the southern hemisphere should be encouraged to come to Mauritius between May and July ? a period where hotels are usually quite empty.

Although France will remain the main market for Mauritius ? with some other traditional ones like Great Britain ? the minister of Tourism is of opinion that there is a need to seek for new markets. The Middle-East, India, Australia but also Russia are some of the markets that have started to develop in 2006 and are expected to boost this year ? particularly in the low season.

The ministry also wants to make sure tourists feel that Mauritius is an ?eventful destination?. The minister has already planned special festivities for the day of the abolition of slavery as well as a firework show in April. Sites like La Citadelle or the Aapravasi Ghat could also become tourist areas during the year.

In short, 2007 should be the ?year of tourism? barring unforeseen circumstances!