Tourist arrivals to Mauritius from the Middle East increased by approximately 10.5% between January and July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, as the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) prepares to target further growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026.

Taking place from 14 to 17 September at Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2026 will see the MTPA participate with around 20 tourism partners, including hotels, resorts, destination management companies (DMCs) and other industry stakeholders. The delegation will focus on converting growing interest from the GCC into bookings and strengthening partnerships across the region.

“A 10.5% increase in seven months tells us the GCC has already made up its mind about Mauritius,” said Benoit Harter, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority. “Our task at ATM is to give the market more reasons — and to make sure the trade knows how much of this island still goes unseen.”

Mauritius is promoting itself as a year-round destination offering a combination of experiences beyond traditional beach holidays. Visitors can combine wellness, hiking, golf, cultural experiences, food and outdoor activities within a single trip.

“We are no longer selling a beach. We are selling a week in which no two days look alike,” Benoît Harter said. “The island is small enough to combine in one trip what elsewhere would take several. That is our competitive advantage, and it is what we are selling at ATM.”

Sports tourism is also gaining momentum, with Mauritius hosting the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on the DP World Tour and, in May 2026, welcoming the Ladies European Tour for the first time through the inaugural MCB Ladies Classic. The island also offers trail running, cycling, mountain biking, open-water swimming and kitesurfing.

“Two international tours on one island is a serious statement about where Mauritius now sits on the global sporting map,” Harter said.

MICE and incentive travel are another priority, supported by conference facilities, resorts and experienced DMCs, as well as a MICE VAT Exemption Scheme for qualifying international events.

“We do not ask corporate groups to choose between a meeting and an experience,” Benoît Harter said. “Mauritius delivers both in the same trip — the delegate closes the business and still goes home with a story.”

Connectivity remains key, with Emirates operating three daily Dubai-Mauritius services and Saudia three weekly Jeddah-Mauritius flights. Mauritius is also highlighting sustainability, with around 40 hotels meeting recognised sustainability standards.

“For an island, sustainability is not a trend to follow — it is a condition of survival,” Benoît Harter said. “When a corporate planner asks us for evidence today, they expect certifications and figures, not intentions.”

At ATM, the delegation will meet airlines, travel-trade partners, MICE planners, luxury travel specialists and media to strengthen partnerships and support continued tourism growth from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and wider GCC. -TradeArabia News Service