by Pauline ETIENNE

Most hotels are reported to be full. The Board of Investment is in the presence of 20 Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) projects, of which five have already obtained their investment certificates. These are good signs for the tourism sector, as no investor would be interested in implementing projects ? of such importance ? if they did not believe in their viability.

The advantages of the high number of tourist arrivals are obvious: they bring money into the country and help the economy. As for the ones expected to purchase the IRS villas, they are not only expected to spend money but it is also hoped that they will invest in local businesses ? that would generate revenue as well.

All this is undeniable good news but how long can the country sustain the development of tourism or foreign investment? Recent incidents point at the fragility of these sectors and should make us aware that there is a need to preserve the good image of our country.

The deckchair episode on Pereybere beach appears to have come to an end. So far, so good! People renting deckchairs and sunshades to tourists on the public beach have not refrained from coming to blows earlier this month because they were fighting over their business. ?I do not think I will come back to Mauritius again?, a tourist who witnessed the scene told a radio.

What sort of publicity do you think this tourist will take to her country when she is back there ? knowing that her country is France, the most important market for Mauritius? The problem is that such ?mafias? do not exist only in Pereybere but also in other tourist areas. Even if it does not always lead to blows, these mafias monopolise some regions and tourists can sometimes be swindled for some services.

Another tourist told l?express, ?I think you do not have any reasons for complaining. There are people renting deckchairs all around the world and there are twice more of them within the same space. Here the situation is still bearable.? But the objective is precisely not to wait for the situation to become unbearable before taking action. This is why it is important for the authorities to do their jobs and legislate over these activities, and, above all, make sure that operators abide by the new legislation afterwards.

The logic is the same for counterfeit products. Those involved in the fight against counterfeiting have kept on ringing the alarm bell since the dissolution of the Anti-Piracy Unit was officially announced. After the Ralph Lauren episode, counterfeiters appeared quite shocked and did not want to take the risk of manufacturing fake products. The problem might be less serious than it was before 2003 but it has resumed more than ever. The Anti-Piracy Unit was working in collaboration with other NGOs and their joint action was giving results. Which signals will its dissolution send to potential investors ? or the ones already here?

It?s all very well to build new hotels, implement new projects, organise road shows and launch major advertising campaigns to sell the country but will all this be of any use if the people targeted shun the destination. A sane and healthy environment is necessary to project a good image of the country and make people want to come and settle?