{"id":198741,"date":"2025-05-02T12:02:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T10:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=198741"},"modified":"2025-05-05T22:09:59","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T20:09:59","slug":"mayotte-chido-tourism-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/mayotte-chido-tourism-opportunity","title":{"rendered":"Mayotte: the will to rebuild tourism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Turning disaster into opportunity<\/strong>. This was the message that the Agence d'attractivit\u00e9 et de D\u00e9veloppement Touristique de Mayotte<\/span> (AaDTM),<\/strong> accompanied by representatives of the Union of Local Hotels and Tourist Offices at a recent press conference. The conference was held in Paris a few days before Emmanuel Macron's trip to Mayotte and R\u00e9union.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The region's tourism managers have drawn the destruction caused by cyclone Chido<\/strong>. They presented a snapshot of the state of the tourism sector and the first steps being taken to boost activity. With a view to what tourism in Mayotte could look like in a few years' time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Conditions to be redefined for tourism in Mauritania<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

According to Michel Madi, Director of AADTM<\/strong>, 68 % of tourist infrastructure was damaged or destroyed<\/strong>. This represents an estimated financial loss of 21 million euros<\/strong>. The recovery is slowly taking hold, but it is hampered by the unwillingness of insurance companies to reimburse. \"\u00a0Insurance companies must do their job<\/em>\" fustigates Charles Henri Mandailaz, Chairman of the Union des m\u00e9tiers et des industries de l'h\u00f4tellerie (UMIH)<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Aid amounting to \u20ac20,000 has already been granted to help hotels and restaurants get back on their feet, but the President of the UMIH considers this to be insufficient. March 1st, 80% of accommodation was available as well as 43% of restaurants<\/strong> according to the AaDTM - but only partially<\/strong>. In addition, the government bodies involved in the reconstruction requisitioned 57% of hotel rooms.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The region has real tourist potential<\/strong> which, before the cyclone, had been little exploited. A question of the island's image. Mayotte has often made the headlines in the French media, but rarely in a positive way. And also because the French state and the local authorities had hardly shown any tourist ambitions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This is reflected in the figures. According to the Agence d'attractivit\u00e9, Mayotte welcomed 74,000 tourists in 2024<\/strong>. This compares with 556,000 tourists to R\u00e9union and 1.38 million to Mauritius. Accommodation capacity is 650 rooms<\/strong> on the Mahoran archipelago - compared with more than 3,300 rooms on Reunion Island.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tourism in Mayotte generated 88 million euros<\/strong> last year, with 5.6% from local companies involved in this sector. There are still other obstacles to greater development of tourism: prices for Air<\/a> which remain very high<\/strong>, an airport with a limited runway<\/strong> to accommodate high-capacity aircraft...<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As well as highly restrictive visa formalities to attract tourists from outside Europe and Mauritius. Mauritius benefits from relaxed entry conditions to the two French territories in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Dzaoudzi airport, in its current configuration, has become an obstacle to the growth of air services. (Photo: https:\/\/pistelongue-mayotte.fr\/)<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Mayotte, a destination to discover<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\u00a0And yet, we have everything to seduce visitors. Experts agree that our lagoon, with its double barrier reef, is one of the most beautiful in the world. Although some areas of the lagoon were damaged by the cyclone, its ability to recover is remarkable. As are the landscapes of our island, where nature is already reclaiming its rights.<\/em>\" says Charles Henri Mandailaz.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, the Agence d'Attractivit\u00e9 and its partners remain confident in the future of tourism. It emphasises the extraordinary mobilisation of the tourism industry<\/strong>who are actively working to revive their business despite the difficulties. \"\u00a0This can be put down to the deep attachment of local players to the area. It is an essential lever for rebuilding<\/em>\" says Michel Madi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"\r\n
Lagon de Mayotte (Photo: facebook\/mayotte-tourisme.com)<\/span><\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

From now on, the cyclone is seen as an opportunity to make Mayotte<\/strong> an international tourist destination. The authorities have defined an action plan based on 30 measures to develop the sector.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The first immediate measures are aimed at stimulating domestic tourism. But also on the resumption of maritime links with the temporary reconstruction of pleasure boating pontoons and a structure to welcome cruise ships. Several hotel development projects will be supported. These include the construction of a 200-room hotel in Mamoudzou<\/strong>the capital.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Other longer-term measures include :<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n