Renewed Momentum: Mauritius Expands Its Footprint in Russia
Russia is back in the spotlight as Mauritius steps up its efforts to capture growth in one of its most promising long-haul markets. Russia is firmly back on Mauritius' tourism. As visitor arrivals from the Russian Federation continue to climb, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has intensified its efforts in the market through a high-profile roadshow in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, reaffirming the destination's commitment to one of its most resilient long-haul source markets.
The timing could not be better. Between January and April 2026, Mauritius welcomed 13,544 Russian visitors, up 7.9% compared to the same period in 2025. Growth was even more pronounced during the first quarter, with arrivals rising by 15.9%, from 9,860 visitors in 2025 to 11,551 in 2026.
These figures confirm what many industry professionals already know: despite global challenges and changing travel patterns, Russian travellers continue to view Mauritius as a highly desirable destination for luxury holidays, family getaways, wellness escapes and exclusive beach experiences.
To capitalise on this momentum, as part of a strategic initiative spearheaded by M. Benoit Harter, Director of the MTPA, the Authority organised a two-city roadshow from 17 to 19 June 2026, bringing Mauritius directly to the heart of the Russian travel trade. Hosted at the Hotel Continental in Moscow and the Hotel Wawelberg in Saint Petersburg, the events gathered more than 100 participants, including leading tour operators, travel agents, MICE specialists, concierges, media representatives and tourism stakeholders.
Reinforcing Visibility and Building Partnerships
The Mauritian delegation featured some of the island's most prominent tourism brands, including Heritage & Veranda Resorts, Sunlife Hotels, Shangri-La Le Touessrok Mauritius, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort, The Lux Collective, the Association des Hôtels de Charme, as well as destination management companies Happy Planet DMC, Luxe Voyage, Emotions DMC, Promotour, Hello Islands DMC and Rudolf Reisen, and the Emirates office based in Russia.
Participants unanimously welcomed the MTPA's return to the market, viewing the initiative as a strong signal of Mauritius' renewed commitment to fostering partnerships and driving growth in the region. The positive reception underscored the destination's enduring appeal and the industry's confidence in the market's long-term potential.
Speaking about this and the coming initiatives, M. Benoit Harter, Director of the MTPA stated "The MTPA is fully committed to delivering on its mandate. Transforming the institution is not optional- it is essential. Change will inevitably challenge established habits and may not please everyone, but we are here to fulfill a mission, not to preserve the status quo. Our priority is clear: reposition Mauritius as a leading destination, rebuild strong partnerships, strengthen the tourism ecosystem, and ensure that the ultimate beneficiary of these efforts is the country itself."
Beyond relationship-building, the roadshow served as a strategic platform to reinforce Mauritius' visibility, showcase new tourism experiences and position the island as a premium destination capable of meeting evolving traveller expectations.
Perhaps most importantly, the initiative coincides with a major development that is expected to reshape Mauritius' accessibility from Russia.
