The number of tourist arrivals increased from 997,290 in the year 2022 to 1,295,410 in the year 2023 and tourist arrivals by air increased from 990,099 in the year 2022 to 1,275,263 in the year 2023 while those arriving by sea increased from 7,191 to 20,147.
The performance of our usual main markets, accounted for 70% of total tourist arrivals in the year 2023 compared to 71% in the year 2022. Comparative figures for the years 2022 and 2023 are given in the table below:
Statistic
| Country of Residence | Tourist Arrivals | |
| 2022 | 2023 | |
| France | 238,864 | 319,522 |
| United Kingdom | 140,847 | 145,873 |
| Reunion Island | 73,336 | 134,222 |
| Germany | 96,767 | 118,546 |
| South Africa, Rep. of | 96,316 | 106,169 |
| India | 36,956 | 54,137 |
| Switzerland | 28,350 | 34,585 |
| Total main markets | 711,436 | 913,054 |
| All countries | 997,290 | 1,295,410 |
Arrivals in 2023
Compared to 2022:
(i) total passenger arrivals increased from 1,327,382 to 1,762,177;
(ii) total tourist arrivals increased from 997,290 to 1,295,410; those arriving by air rose from 990,099 to 1,275,263, while those arriving by sea increased from 7,191 to 20,147 (Table 5).
(iii) the number of excursionists (arriving and leaving on the same day) increased from 5,851 to 21,871.
In 2023, 27 cruise ships arrived in the country and carried some 40,403 cruise travellers comprising 16,099 tourists, 10,707 excursionists, 34 Mauritian residents and 13,563 crew members.
Tourist arrivals by age
During the period under review, the number of tourists aged 60 years and above was 215,029 representing 16.6% of tourist arrivals. Among those who arrived by sea, the proportion was much higher at 48.3%
Departures in 2023
Compared to 2022:
(i) total passenger departures increased from 1,302,968 to 1,752,974; and
(ii) departures of Mauritian residents rose from 229,268 to 319,725 .
In 2023, the main countries of disembarkation (country of final destination or transit country) for Mauritian residents were
United Arab Emirates (73,888 or 23.1%),
Reunion Island (42,127 or 13.2%),
France (41,187 or 12.9%), India (31,260 or 9.8%),
Republic of South Africa (26,918 or 8.4%) and
United Kingdom (25,488 or 8.0%).
