Emirates has opened a new travel store in Port-Louis, Mauritius, and renewed its long-standing tourism partnership with the island’s tourism authority, reinforcing its presence in the Indian Ocean market.
Tourism partnership renewed
Emirates and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue promoting the island as a global tourist destination. The agreement extends a partnership that began in 2012.
Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean, signed the MoU with MTPA Chairperson Claire Le Lay. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Housing and Lands, the Honourable Shakeel Mohamed.
Ahmad noted: “Since 2002, Emirates has been proudly serving Mauritius with our award-winning services and premium offerings which appeal to a global audience. By drawing on our extensive network of travel partners, we continue to succeed in bringing holidaymakers to Mauritius to enjoy what the island has to offer. Our double daily A380 services have been a major contributor to the growth of the country’s tourism industry and lifeblood of the local community.”
Tourism growth and connectivity
Over the past decade, Emirates and MTPA have collaborated on campaigns targeting key tourism markets such as France, the UK, Germany, and South Africa. Their joint efforts helped boost tourist arrivals to over 1.3 million in 2024.
Mauritius’ Minister of Tourism, Richard Duval, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “This renewed Memorandum of Understanding is a testament to our shared vision of sustainable tourism development and our continued commitment to showcasing the rich cultural, natural and experiential offerings of Mauritius to a global audience.”
Claire Le Lay added: “The MTPA is delighted to renew this strategic partnership, which highlights Emirates’ commitment to supporting our efforts in promoting Mauritius as a premier tourism destination.”
To mark Mauritius’ 57th Independence Day, Emirates also operated a special A380 flight with an all-Mauritian crew, underscoring the country’s role in the airline’s global operations. Emirates currently operates two daily direct A380 flights between Dubai and Mauritius.
New retail outlet launched
Located at The Docks 2 in Port Louis, the 1,895 sq. ft. Emirates Travel Store offers customers a hands-on travel planning experience. Visitors can explore Emirates’ onboard products, receive travel advice, book flights, and manage their travel plans.
The facility also includes self-service kiosks, an interactive selfie mirror, and a selection of branded merchandise and travel accessories.
The store was inaugurated by Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim, in the presence of UAE and Mauritian officials.
Kazim stated: “We have been operating in Mauritius for 23 years, and launching our travel store demonstrates our commitment to growing our presence on the island nation. Here, our customers can discover and enjoy the convenience of our innovative products and digital services. Our staff is trained to offer personalised service, enhancing the customer experience at every stage. This store will enable Mauritian travelers to experience the essence of Emirates before they even begin their journey.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
