Emirates Supports Mauritius Tourism Growth, Carrying Over One Million Visitors Since 2022
Emirates has played a consistent role in supporting tourism growth in Mauritius for more than two decades, helping the destination attract visitors from a wide range of global markets.
Between 2022 and 2025, the airline carried more than one million visitors to Mauritius, accounting for over 20 percent of total tourist arrivals during this period. This sustained flow of visitors has supported activity across the tourism value chain, including hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and transport services, contributing to employment and local economic activity.
Drawing on its global network of more than 150 destinations and over 1,700 offline points served by airline partners, Emirates has supported Mauritius’ tourism recovery since the pandemic. In 2025, the island recorded its highest-ever annual visitor arrivals, reflecting steady demand across key leisure markets.
In 2024, the airline carried close to 309,000 visitors to Mauritius from major European source markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Russia. The airline has also worked with travel partners to increase arrivals from markets including the United States, China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
According to official tourism data, Mauritius welcomed 1,436,250 visitors in 2025, a 3.9 per cent increase on 2024. The airline recorded a corresponding 5.7 per cent year-on-year increase in passengers carried to the island during the same period.
Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President Passenger Sales & Country Management, said Mauritius continues to be an important destination within the airline’s Indian Ocean network. He highlighted Emirates’ focus on working with tourism authorities, hotels, and travel partners to improve connectivity and support steady visitor growth. He also confirmed the introduction of a retrofitted Boeing 777 featuring Premium Economy on daily services EK709 and EK710 from 29 March, offering customers additional onboard options on the Mauritius–Dubai route.
Joint Promotion with Tourism Partners
Since 2012, Emirates has worked closely with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) to promote Mauritius internationally. From December 2025, Emirates increased its operations to three daily flights, operating two Airbus A380 services and one Boeing 777 flight, providing approximately 10,500 seats per week into the destination.
As part of joint promotional efforts, more than 30 travel agents from Europe and the Gulf region have participated in familiarisation trips to Mauritius since 2022. Emirates has also supported roadshows, workshops, training sessions, and cooperative campaigns with hotels and tour operators to help travel agents promote the destination more effectively.
Emirates’ marketing activity has included targeted advertising campaigns, media and influencer trips, and partnerships with hotel groups and tour operators. These initiatives have aimed to present Mauritius to a broad range of travellers, from leisure holidaymakers to couples and families.
Dinesh Burrenchobay, Chairman of the MTPA, acknowledged Emirates’ long-standing contribution to Mauritius’ tourism sector, noting the airline’s role in connecting the island to global markets via its Dubai hub and supporting consistent air access.
Emirates Holidays and Market Visibility
Emirates Holidays, the tour operating arm of the Emirates Group, continues to feature Mauritius across its digital platforms, social media channels, and global website. The destination is promoted through dedicated pages, curated packages, and customised travel options across markets such as the UK, UAE, Germany, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden.
Customer demand for Mauritius has remained steady, with travellers often combining beach stays with cultural experiences, dining, and excursions. Emirates Holidays’ destination specialists provide tailored recommendations to suit different traveller preferences.
Connectivity and Long-Term Commitment
Emirates’ increased capacity to Mauritius includes the addition of a third daily flight to meet seasonal demand, enhancing connectivity between Dubai and the island. The airline also opened a Travel Store in Port Louis in 2025, offering customers in-person support for travel planning and bookings.
Emirates has served Mauritius since 2002 and continues to support the destination through employment, connectivity, and partnerships. Today, Mauritians are employed across various roles within the airline, including flight operations, cabin crew, engineering, and customer services.
Through sustained operations and collaboration with tourism stakeholders, the airline continues to contribute to Mauritius’ position as a well-connected destination in the Indian Ocean.
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