13 February 2008
Port Louis — "Mauritius is a beautiful island with genuine people and great resources. The harmony and co-existence of various religious and ethnic groups is remarkable and it is this combination that provides sheer endless potential for development, growth and success, which everyone can benefit from and take home his share. But this success is not something you pick up in the morning like your daily newspaper; it's earned and therefore the logical consequence of hard work. And there are a few points that should be considered for the future, if the people of Mauritius want to write their own success story.
The infrastructure is still insufficient and that has been going on since I arrived two years ago and still nothing has happened to overcome that challenge. What sense does it make if I have a five-star de luxe hotel with the best facilities and service, when it takes 2-3 hours to get there, driving on a bumpy road, after arriving at an overcrowded airport? Visitors have by then, already reached the peak of their frustration and the first and most important impression has failed badly. Mind you, most visitors have been traveling for 12 hours or more by then.
Mauritius has to become pro- rather than reactive. Many citizens have never travelled or lived outside the island and are under the impression that their products are superior to others, which is wrong. One small example; Mauritius is the only country out of six I have worked in the past 14 years where shops are closed after 6 pm on Sundays and public holidays.
Mauritians have to learn what competition means and adapt quickly. There is no time to rest on your laurels or become complacent. Don't be fooled and make the mistake to over-promise and under-deliver. Most visitors are seasoned travellers and know exactly how to differentiate between mediocre and excellent products. Be careful about charging exorbitant and providing, in many cases at its best, average service.
You are living in this wonderful place and you are in charge of shaping your own future and you are responsible for it. Don't sit there and wait for something to happen and blame others, if it doesn't. We (expatriates) come and go and will always be only "visitors" who share our knowledge with you. But it is up to you to leave your comfort zone and grab this knowledge and make Mauritius what it deserves to be; one of the most desirable holiday destinations in the world."
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