Air access to Mauritius for Chinese travellers will get a boost with the launch of China Southern’s weekly flights between China and Mauritius.
The first flight takes place tomorrow, June 27. The weekly flight departs Shenzhen every Friday at 23h00, landing at the SSR International Airport in Mauritius at 04h30.
A spokesperson for the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) says China Southern will be the first Chinese airline to fly to Mauritius. “The venue of this flight from China [Shenzhen] will help to boost arrivals from China, a market that has huge importance for the destination.
“Moreover, since China Southern airlines is the biggest airline in terms of fleet and passengers in China, it will represent a potential for Mauritius to attract more Chinese tourists,” she said.
She added that China Southern operated in 61 cities in China and that Shenzhen, which is in the south of China, is the nearest gateway to Mauritius. “Travellers from all the 61 cities can travel from Shenzhen to Mauritius. This will open a hub for Africa as Chinese tourists can use Mauritius as a gateway for transit and come to Africa, Madagascar and Kenya.”
According to the MTPA, arrivals from China doubled in the last two years, from 15 133 in 2011 to 20 885 in 2012 and 41 913 in 2013. The spokesperson said: “This year we expect a 100% growth of around 80 000 Chinese tourists. Our product is suitable for the Chinese tourists because we have a diverse portfolio of activities that can be done in Mauritius. Our products such as hotel infrastructure have been adapted to fit the Chinese culture too.”