Marriott Mauritius eyes exciting growth opportunities from India market
Marriott International has three stunning properties in Mauritius, which are all unique and set in the most breath-taking locations. With the luxury travel market particularly buoyant with consumers keen to book their international holidays, Sydney Pierre, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Marriott Mauritius (JW Marriott, Westin Turtle Bay, and Le Meridien Ile Maurice), understands that there is huge potential to grow bookings from key markets like India.
Marriott International is represented by three resorts in Mauritius with different concepts which cater to different clientele. JW Marriott Mauritius Resort is a luxury retreat with 172 lavishly appointed guest suites. The resort is set against a backdrop of the majestic Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is surrounded by majestically protected coral reefs and lush vegetation. Recently refurbished, Le Meridien Ile Maurice is a place for discoveries with an exclusive adultonly Nirvana wing and royal beachfront suites. The Westin Turtle Bay Resort and Spa Mauritius is nestled in a tranquil spot and faces the idyllic Turtle Bay, a protected marine park on the northwest coast of Mauritius.
Speaking about the USP of each hotel, Sydney reveals, “At JW Marriott Mauritius Resort, with our exclusive butler service, we endeavour to provide our guests with a personalised and memorable stay at the Grand Beachfront Villas and Manor House Spa Suites. The La Palme d’Or Private Cinema is an exclusive gateway into a theatre with 32 luxurious seats and movie condiments. Guests can have remarkable epicurean culinary experiences at our five distinct fine-dining restaurants. The Pure Spa is a haven of relaxation, a revalitising sanctuary offering signature treatments, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and stress-free. One can also indulge in adventurous and thrilling water sport activities ranging from swimming with dolphins to diving, surfing and snorkelling at pristine locations close to our resort.”
Continuing with the second property, Sydney says, “At Le Meridien Ile Maurice, all our 261 contemporary suites are artfully positioned for a retreat in style, offering exclusive and private terraces with magnificent Indian ocean views and direct access to our natural sandy beach. Our Royal suites offer opulence and luxury with personal touches. Eden-like gardens and spaces create the perfect atmosphere for events, from the social to the soulful. Guests can live life to the fullest and have fun at the beach. We offer waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, pedal boating and much more.”
The Westin brand is known to empower guests, associates, and local communities to embrace well-being and be their best selves. At The Westin Turtle Bay Resort and Spa, nourishing the mind, body, and soul is their motive and these aspects can be found with Westin Wellbeing Movement and their Signature and Health-Conscious Culinary Journeys.
During COVID, while the Maldives gained strong momentum out of the Indian market, Mauritius got overshadowed in that process. Sydney says the reason for the Maldives to gain popularity was good flight connectivity pan India. However, with Air Mauritius flying only out of Mumbai, they all had limited means to capture the full potential of the India market. “Now with an increase in flights capacity with the relaunch of Air Mauritius to Delhi twice a week coupled with the introduction of Air Vistara out of Mumbai five times per week, the propensity to capture the pan-India market is even stronger,” says Sydney.
Mauritius remains relatively traditional in the booking pattern of the customers when it comes to holidays. Here, travel agencies still hold strong importance and influence. Nevertheless, the gradual shift to OTA bookings has not been ignored as it is a growing segment and warrants the necessary attention. MICE agencies prefer the use of intermediaries as a onestop shop for their events procurement. Sydney shares, “With business travel increasing year on year, we are seeing an uptick in both the number of RFPs (Request for Proposal) and conversions when it comes to Corporate Group movement to the destination. Marriott Mauritius positions itself as a strong value proposition for MICE offerings with state-of-the-art accommodation, meeting facilities, events spaces, and logistics.”
Marriott Mauritius has appointed Nijhawan Group as the India Sales, Marketing, and PR representative for all three resorts. The objective is to tactical sales, marketing, and PR initiatives in the India market with the expansion of the group’s affinity to the key luxury Indian trade and media partners. “For Marriott Mauritius, proximity to our key stakeholders, which includes travel trade, airline, and media, remains paramount,” states Sydney.
Following the recent renovation of the Le Méridien Ile Maurice, Marriott Mauritius’ focus is to consolidate business for its three properties in the island nation and increase guest satisfaction and experience.