Mauritius tourist arrivals climb 11 pct in 2016: stats office

A Chinese couple from Yunnan accompany a photographer as they make their way through the water and on the rocks for a wedding photo session at the Cap Malheureux beach on the Indian Ocean island Mauritius, August 5, 2015. REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen

PORT LOUIS (Reuters) – Visitor numbers to Mauritius rose 11 percent in 2016 compared with the previous year, driven by more arrivals from Europe, official data showed on Tuesday.

The central bank said in November it expected tourism earnings in 2016 to be around 56.6 billion rupees ($1.58 billion).

Statistics Mauritius said arrivals rose to 1.28 million from 1.15 million in 2015. Numbers from Europe, which accounts for two third of visitors, climbed 16 percent to 734,506.

Tourism is an important component of the Mauritian economy and a key source of hard currency for the Indian Ocean island state, best known for its luxury spas and beaches.

The statistics office said in November it expects tourist arrivals to increase 4.3 percent this year to 1.3 million while the Bank of Mauritius forecast earnings of 59 billion rupees for the same period.

($1 = 35.7500 Mauritius rupees)

(Reporting by Jean Paul Arouff; editing by George Obulutsa)

 

9News Nigeria TV

About 9News Nigeria 13426 Articles
9News Nigeria is Nigeria's favourite news source. For Authentic, Unbiased News on Politics, Business, Sports, Technology, Entertainment and Lifestyles, Health, Nollywood, Crime and Investigations, Family and Relationships, Inspirations .. and much more. For Latest News from Africa and around the world, 9News Nigeria is your best source. WhatsApp +2348115805632 Email: info@9newsng.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/9NewsNG | Twitter/Instagram: @9newsng