With the aim of furthering tourism development for mutual benefit, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) and China Southern Airlines (CSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 30, 2014 at the Labourdonnais Waterfront hotel.

Under the agreement, both parties agreed to work jointly together towards the promotion and development of tourism in Mauritius.

Mauritius’ Tourism Minister Michael Sik Yuen, who was present for the MoU signing ceremony, said that this initiative would allow exchange of information pertaining to tourism development policies, investment opportunities in the tourism sector and related areas, where both airlines’ flights would enable Mauritius to reach 10, 000 additional travelers.

“Tour operators and travel trade professionals will now have access to data related to the trends and profile of Chinese travelers,” he said.

Furthermore, MTPA Director Karl Mootoosamy stated that Mauritius will take all necessary steps to make the destination visible on the Chinese market.

“Mauritius will be included in all social media campaigns, sales offices and joint campaigns of CSA,” he said.

“In addition next week, CSA and the MTPA will be present in China – in Shenzhen, Chengdu and Hangzhou provinces – for a roadshow to promote the new destination and to further enhance Mauritius as a hub for China in Africa,” he added.

For his part, the Executive Vice President of China Southern Airlines – Shenzhen Branch, Zhang Jianmin, affirmed that this bilateral cooperation is a good start for China, which needs a breakthrough in Africa.

“We wish to enhance our airline’s visibility and flights in Africa, and in the Indian region as well, and Mauritius will serve as a hub for China – Africa travel,” he said.

He also indicated the possibility of having another flight from CSA by the end of September in Mauritius.

China Southern Airlines is the first airline from Asia to come to Mauritius, and represents one of the largest air carriers in the continent.

The Shenzhen hub, situated in the South of China, connects 61 domestic destinations in China and Mauritius will thus be able to welcome more Chinese travelers from all these cities.

Image (Tourism Mauritius): China Southern Airlines is the first airline from Asia to come to Mauritius and represents one of the largest air carriers on the continent.

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