The first half of 2026 ends with 668,471 visitors to Mauritius, a 1.5% increase over H1 2025. This positive result masks a difficult June (-8.4%), dragged down by European markets, while China (+30.1%) and India (+11.9%) confirm their momentum.
June drops, H1 holds green
In June 2026, Mauritius welcomed 89,098 visitors, down 8.4% from June 2025's 97,273. The fall is mainly airborne: air arrivals dropped from 96,805 to 88,640. Maritime traffic — driven by cruise calls — surged 55.8% over the semester to 23,331 passengers, a notable contribution to the 668,471 total.
Europe stumbles, Asia accelerates
Europe remains Mauritius's main source market but is struggling: -12% in June and -0.6% over the semester. The UK posted the steepest drop, down 25.2% in June and 16% over six months. The Middle East contracted 34.8% in June, with Saudi Arabia falling 41.7%.
Conversely, Asian and African markets are driving growth. South Africa grew 26.6% in June; China gained 30.1% over the full semester; India recorded +11.9%. These results reflect a geographic diversification that is bearing fruit.
Ethiopian Airlines: a new card on the table
On July 12, 2026, Ethiopian Airlines launched a new service to Mauritius, strengthening connections with the African continent. The airline, which operates one of Africa's most extensive networks, is expected to amplify flows from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia via its Addis Ababa hub. Tourism Minister Richard Duval framed the opening as part of a strategy to reduce dependence on European markets.
A favourable regional context by comparison
Mauritius's June decline must be put in regional perspective: the Seychelles recorded a 24.8% drop over the first five months of 2026, and the Maldives fell 12%. Mauritius thus shows relative resilience, supported by its source-market diversification strategy.
Why it matters
Tourism represents a significant share of Mauritius's GDP and foreign exchange earnings. The retreat of European markets — particularly British — amid global tariff pressures and economic uncertainty is forcing the island to accelerate its pivot towards Asia and Africa. Ethiopian Airlines is a structural lever: its continental connections could permanently reshape the geography of Mauritian tourism.