Imagine walking on the seabed?this is true not only for pearl divers or scuba divers but for tourists as well. The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has made it possible for tourists to enjoy a walk on the bed of the Indian Ocean, besides a banana boat ride and tube boat flying.
Working as a nodal agency to promote Mauritius as a preferred destination, MTPA’s Magical Mauritius Tactical has offered a four-night & five-day tour, which includes accommodation with meals, return airport transfers and three-day sight-seeing, besides the under-sea walk, banana boat riding and tube boat flying, for just Rs 40,000 per head.
Rajeev Nangia, associate director, operations, of TRAC Representations (India) Pvt Ltd, representing MTPA in India, said Magical Mauritius Tactical has been the key driver of the 26% growth in Indian tourists going to Mauritius. Magical Mauritius was launched in India in January 2007 in association with six travel agents across the country.
Nangia said India has now emerged as one of the world’s top ten tourism generating markets, and each Indian is spending an average of $75-90 on entertainment and shopping.
While in 2006 a total of 37,498 Indians visited Mauritius, registering a 26% growth, in 2007, the number is likely to go up to 50,000.
However, to attract more Indians, MTPA will soon launch a fly and drive package, targeting honeymooners. Under the package, after flying down to Mauritius via Dubai, a couple will get a car to drive on its own and move around the country.
