![]() ![]() The organized social group "AKNL" has for years gathered the population to stand up for their last remaining public beaches and the conservation of their natural environment. The community's opinion in regards to the above mentioned development is being ignored. Something critical is happening in Mauritius. The government's support for foreign investment in the shape of Resorts and Real Estate, has in many ways alienated the local population and their micro, small and medium enterprises.įoreign investors dominate the hospitality scene, leaking a lot of the direct and indirect tourism income outside of the country, and making it difficult for SMEs run by locals to get a share of the tourism market.īesides that, there's poor empowerment for micro-enterprises and entrepreneurs, who find it difficult to survive through the lengthy bureaucratic system (license acquisition) to then find themselves eclipsed by the wealthy competition. ![]() To the hosting population misfortune, the concrete development that foreign investment has brought hasn't reflected in the infrastructure needs of the community for example, in the trash segregation and recycling needs that Mauritians need to address not to degrade their natural environment even more. With a population of 1.2 million inhabitants and almost 1.4 million tourist arrivals per year, Mauritius is producing way more trash than it can handle. Popular attractions like swimming with wild dolphins on the west coast can see up to 30 boats at the same time, invading the natural habitat where dolphins nurture, educate and socialize with their calves. The pressure of over tourism also reflects on wildlife. The wetlands, the coastal forests and the sand dunes that naturally protect our lagoon and the marine species that live in it, are in danger of disappearing as the latest Hotel projects get approved in the South coast of Mauritius. Hotels development around the coast are destroying the natural resources that would otherwise help us mitigate climate change. Below an analysis of the current challenges Mauritius Island is facing, covering the three dimensions of the triple-bottom line: environment, economic and socio-cultural development.įocused on the economic value of tourism, Mauritius has by far overpassed its carrying capacity in terms of available rooms and tourist arrivals, a crisis that shows in the degradation of the island's natural environment. The short-term vision of this strategy has brought us to the verge of seeing our tourism value proposition disappear. Mauritius development and marketing strategies have positioned the destination internationally for its mega resorts and luxury villa schemes. ![]()
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