Mauritius Targets Russian Visitors with Roadshow Push and New Ethiopian Airlines Connection
Mauritius is reinforcing its position in one of its most resilient long-haul source markets as the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) intensifies engagement with the Russian travel trade. With visitor numbers from the Russian Federation climbing steadily, the island nation is sending a confident signal that it is fully open and prepared to welcome a new wave of premium travellers from Eastern Europe.
The latest figures speak for themselves. Between January and April 2026, Mauritius hosted 13,544 Russian visitors, marking a 7.9% rise compared to the same period the previous year. The first quarter performance was even stronger, with arrivals jumping by 15.9%, from 9,860 visitors in 2025 to 11,551 in 2026. For African tourism professionals watching long-haul recovery trends, these numbers confirm that Russian travellers continue to view the Indian Ocean island as a top-tier choice for luxury holidays, wellness retreats, family escapes and exclusive beach experiences.
To capitalise on this momentum, MTPA Director Benoit Harter spearheaded a two-city roadshow from 17 to 19 June 2026, held at the Hotel Continental in Moscow and the Hotel Wawelberg in Saint Petersburg. The gatherings attracted more than 100 participants, ranging from major tour operators and travel professionals to MICE specialists, luxury concierges, journalists and tourism stakeholders. The Mauritian delegation featured leading hospitality names such as 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, and several destination management companies including Happy Planet DMC, Luxe Voyage, Emotions DMC, Promotour, Hello Islands DMC and Rudolf Reisen, alongside the Emirates office in Russia.
Industry participants warmly welcomed MTPA's renewed presence, interpreting it as a meaningful commitment to rebuilding partnerships and unlocking sustained growth. Harter underlined that transforming the tourism authority is not optional but essential, stressing the priority of repositioning Mauritius as a premier destination, strengthening the wider tourism ecosystem and ensuring that the country itself becomes the ultimate beneficiary of these efforts.
Perhaps the most consequential development for African and global tourism stakeholders is the launch of Ethiopian Airlines' new service between Addis Ababa and Mauritius in July 2026. Historically, Russian travellers have reached Mauritius through Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai and Riyadh on Emirates, or via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. The Ethiopian Airlines route introduces a fresh, competitive option, linking Moscow and other Russian cities to Mauritius through Africa's largest aviation network. For sub-Saharan Africa's travel trade, this is an important signal: African carriers are increasingly central to global tourism flows, and Addis Ababa is consolidating its position as a continental gateway capable of channelling high-value long-haul traffic.
Beyond the Russian push, broader momentum remains strong. Mauritius recorded a 6.8% rise in arrivals during Q1 2026, reaching 348,445 visitors, compared to 326,389 a year earlier. To sustain this trajectory, the MTPA, working alongside Air Mauritius and under the leadership of Chairman Dinesh Burrenchobay, has launched a high-profile campaign in London titled "From the Golden Eye to the Golden Hour", anchored by the unifying slogan "We are Mauritius." Unveiled at the Royal Automobile Club, the concept playfully links the London Eye to the island's signature sunset hour, with a charming dodo mascot guiding a British family from the UK capital to Mauritian shores.
For African travel professionals, the message is twofold. Mauritius is doubling down on diversified source markets while leaning into stronger continental aviation partnerships. As global competition for premium travellers intensifies, connectivity is fast becoming the decisive factor in winning market share, and Africa's tourism industry now has fresh opportunities to position itself at the heart of these evolving travel corridors.
