Mauritius basks in tourism increase

PORT LOUIS: Mauritius expects to attract 8-10 percent more tourists this year, the tourism minister has said.

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

Charles Gaëtan Xavier-Luc Duval said arrivals were up 14.4 percent last month from a year earlier, to 118 551, helped by higher numbers from Europe and Asia.

Visitors from Europe rose 18.7 percent to 67 120 while numbers from Asia grew 29.2 percent to 14 642.