In discussions at the Deputy Prime Minister's Port Louis Offices in Mauritius, it was confirmed that there has been a 100% increase in the number of cruise passengers for the 2015/2016 season. A total of 29,000 cruise passengers have been recorded compared to 14,000 for the 2014/2015 season. Just days before the opening of the new cruise season, the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, Xavier-Luc Duval, who is also the island’s Tourism Minister and President of the Vanilla Islands Organization, gave an update on the positive developments in the cruise tourism industry of the Indian Ocean region.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius shared the good news in the presence of the Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange; the Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Kevin Ramkaloan; and the Chief Executive of the Vanilla Islands Organization, Pascal Viroleau.

The island states within the Vanilla Islands group will welcome to their shores a number of cruise ships such as the Costa NeoRomantica, with its 12 rotations.