Mauritius is struggling: decline in European tourists threatens economy!

Mauritius is struggling: decline in European tourists threatens economy!

The dream island of Mauritius, once a popular destination for European tourists, will see a significant decline in the number of visitors from Europe in 2025. According to information from fr.de Tourism has been an essential part of the Mauritian economy for many years. In 2022, the tourism sector accounted for about 10.28% of the gross domestic product (GDP), highlighting the importance of this industry.

However, the continued decline in holidaymakers from Europe has noticeable economic consequences. Revenue from the tourism sector, which has fallen dramatically since 2020, has not recovered to date. Year-on-year declines were recorded in January 2025, while European tourist arrivals fell by 12.1% in February 2025.

Economic impact and competition

Competition from other exotic destinations such as the Seychelles, Maldives and Zanzibar is a major factor in the decline. Many European travelers are looking for authentic experiences; the tourist offerings in Mauritius often do not offer the desired variety. A strategic realignment of the tourism offering is therefore considered necessary. Suggestions for diversification include promoting cultural heritage, local gastronomy, ecotourism and offering trendy sports.

In 2022, the island received a total of 997,000 tourists, ranking 70th in the world. Based on the number of inhabitants, Mauritius has a rate of 0.79 tourists per inhabitant, which puts it 50th in the world and 2nd in East Africa behind the Seychelles. Compared to the 1.81 billion euros in sales from 2019, the current revenues have fallen significantly at around 1.39 billion euros from 2022, as they are 75 percent less than in the previous year 2020.

Relaxation and outlook

The first signs of a slight recovery in visitor numbers were noted in April 2025. This could possibly be due to new tourist offers and an increased marketing strategy. Nevertheless, economic dependence on the tourism industry remains a key concern as the Government of Mauritius strives to reduce this dependence. The survey counts tourists who spend at least one night in the country and do not live there longer than 12 months, while day-trippers are excluded.

The challenges of recent years have highlighted the need for comprehensive adaptation to tourists' changing travel habits. Mauritius, as a major player in East African tourism, generated approximately 7 percent of all international tourism revenue in the region. The coming measures could be crucial in restoring and strengthening the island's attractiveness for future travelers. Further details on the tourist situation in Mauritius can be found in the information countrydata.info be read.