Mauritius's tourism sector is on a remarkable run in the first half of 2026. The Bank of Mauritius has just released figures confirming an unprecedented momentum: tourism receipts reached Rs 48.1 billion over the first five months of the year, compared to Rs 40.4 billion over the same period in 2025 — a year-on-year increase of +19%.
Arrivals up across all channels
Between January and April 2026, the island welcomed 464,208 visitors, up 4% from 446,546 recorded a year earlier. Air arrivals grew 5.1%, while sea arrivals surged 61.6%, reflecting the boom in cruise tourism across the Indian Ocean region.
May 2026 alone generated Rs 8.641 billion in receipts, surpassing May 2025's Rs 8.249 billion. Every month since January has outperformed its year-ago counterpart.
An annual record within reach
In 2025, the island had already posted a historic Rs 103.4 billion in annual tourism receipts, up from Rs 93.6 billion in 2024. If the current trajectory holds through the peak season (July–October), 2026 could become the best year ever recorded for Mauritian tourism.
The Bank of Mauritius does caution that May figures remain provisional, noting receipts are « estimated from returns submitted by commercial banks » and may not precisely reflect the actual month of visitor spending.
Why it matters
Tourism is Mauritius's primary source of foreign exchange and directly or indirectly employs a significant share of the working population. A 2026 record would consolidate the upmarket positioning strategy, ease pressure on the current account, and send a strong signal to international hotel investors still evaluating expansion projects across the Indian Ocean.
Sources: Bank of Mauritius, Statistics Mauritius, tourismanalytics.com (July 2026).