Mauritius government woos Gujarati film industry with 30 per cent rebate

Apart from regional film industry, tourism body of Mauritius is also looking to attract tourists through its various new products like destination weddings

The Indian film industry may have been a regular at the island nation, but the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) is now looking to attract even regional film industries like that of Gujarat. For this, the tourism body of Mauritius is planning to offer a 30 per cent rebate to regional film-makers on their expenditure.

"So far only the national Indian film industry was a regular visitor to Mauritius. However, now we see potential even among the regional film makers like that of Gujarati film industry. We have, therefore, proposed to offer a 30 per cent rebate for regional film makers on their expenditure in Mauritius while filming," said Vijaye Haulder, Deputy Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.

Apart from regional film industry, MTPA is also looking to attract tourists through its various new products like destination weddings, self drive instead of packaged tour, meeting incentive conference and exhibition (MICE), as well as all-inclusive packages.

"The all-inclusive package will ensure that a tourists' airport transfer, sight seeing, all meals and drinks for six nights and seven days at Rs 20,000 onwards per person excluding airfare," said Haulder.

Talking about tourists numbers in Mauritius, especially that from India, Haulder said that in the year 2000-2009 Indian arrivals increased year on year by 14 per cent and in 2009-2011 the growth was 19 per cent.

"Despite the recession and slow economic growth in the Indian market, the number of travelers going to Mauritius has increased. In the year 2012 Mauritius received 55197 arrivals from India. The board aims to target 100,000 tourists from India but we haven't set a deadline for that yet," he added.