The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) is hoping to attract 120 000 Indian tourists in 2020, up from the 80 000 projected to visit the Indian Ocean island nation in 2018.

MTPA Director, Arvind Bundhun, made the announcement on Saturday during a four-day roadshow in India, showcasing Mauritius to the Indian trade. According to the Press Trust of India, he said: “In the last four years, Mauritius tourism has seen double-digit growth, with Indian tourists contributing significantly to this.”

Bundhun added: “In order to create more visibility, we are inviting celebrities and top CEOs from India to Mauritius. Special packages are being offered to promote incentive trips.” He further noted that the island destination had continued to be a top choice for honeymooners from India, saying the country had positioned itself as an “affordable luxury destination”.

At the roadshow, Vivek Anand, MPTA Country Manager in India said: “We expect a healthy growth in the MICE and wedding segment and will be promoting Mauritius as a destination for these types of travel.”

Additionally, Mauritius has promoted itself as a film destination, with a number of Bollywood movies being shot there. “In October, the Mauritius Film Development Corporation is organising cinema week and a number of Bollywood stars have been invited. The government has put in place special incentives to shoot movies in our country,” Bundhun explained.