Viva Maurice! No, I’m not saluting the friendly bartender who kept our cocktails topped up at the beach bar, I’m praising the sub-tropical island of Mauritius that enchanted me with its magic – and its people, the friendliest species I’ve ever come across.
Given that my knowledge of the island paradise was limited to postcard pictures of reclining beach chairs in the shade of tall green palm trees with the turquoise Indian Ocean as its backdrop, the expectations for my first island break-away were high. Knowing that the media were treated like kings on these excursions, being part of a media trip hosted by Air Mauritius, Connections, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) has raised my expectations even more.
I have to admit, I could not figure out why Mauritius, a paradise where one should be relaxing, sipping tall cocktails on the beach, would market itself as a business travel destination.
Yet thinking about it, makes perfect sense, given the latest international conferencing trend among executives – combining business and leisure travel, often taking family along – why not indeed mix business and pleasure?
The Air Mauritius MICE Tour would prove to be enlightening in terms of revealing the business tourism opportunities which the island affords the corporate traveller.
Flying Air Mauritius (a five hour flight from Cape Town, four hours from Joburg) to the island, one arrives at night and from the airport it’s at least a 45-minute drive to the main hotels and resorts.
In the dark, the drive along the winding road felt a lot longer, even though my taxi driver, Sanjeev, skillfully volunteered every detail about his country as we rushed through narrow roads in dark eerie-looking villages.
I tried to tell him about South Africa, but could not get a word in. The two things he was most proud of was the fact that there is “no crime in Mauritius” and that a kaleidoscope of different cultures and religions live in perfect harmony – this time I did not chirp in.
Heritage Le Telfair
The next morning my postcard image unfolded in front of me as I stepped out of the sliding door of my luxury suite onto the beach at the beautiful colonial style Heritage Le Telfair resort at Bel Ombre in the south of the island.
The day-long excursion that followed took us on a tour of the approximately 25km² property. The popular Heritage at Domaine de Bel Ombre offers state of the art conferencing facilities for about 80 people. Hotel guests can choose between two five-star resorts the Heritage Le Telfair (inspired by the Mauritian heritage) and the Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort. A number of privately owned luxury villas on an 18 hole championship golf course are for rent and all guests can make use of the 11 restaurants in the group.
Two extra-ordinary spa villages’, two activity centres, the C Beach Club (which offers a wide variety of water sport and activities) and clubs for kids and teens will ensure that those accompanying business travellers are always occupied and entertained.
Four Seasons
Our next rendezvous took us along yet another amazing winding coastal drive to the Four Seasons Anahita resort on the less ‘tourist populated’ east coast. Where Le Telfair presented an elegant colonial ambience, taking guests back to the times of sugar cane barons, the somewhat more exclusive Four Seasons represents the modern manicured stylish upmarket Mauritian way of life.
The resort, which consists of free-standing individual units, each with its own private plunge pool and luxurious accommodation, was designed to host business meetings and events. Its facilities are fully equipped for all types of events staging, from awards galas to multimedia presentations. Being an avid gardener: the indigenous tropical manicured gardens on the resort are absolutely breathtaking.
Exploring the estate in the official modes of transport, by bicycle or golf cart-like buggies, I could not help but think that our very own Kirstenbosch could learn a thing or two.
Exploring the island
Travelling by car in Mauritius is no problem, once one gets used to the peculiar driving habits of the locals. From the main towns and villages in the south to the north (the buzzing Grand Baie area), is about 60km. Visiting the capital, Port Louis, especially bargain shopping at the local market, is a definite must.
Other towns of interest to us were Flic-en-Flac (a cosmopolitan seaside town in the east) and the Grand Baie area (the biggest tourist destination), both to be recommended to those who would prefer a buzz as opposed to a tranquil island experience.
My personal gem is the less tourist drenched town of Quatre Bornes, a few kilometres inland – simply because it has a more local feel and oozes unpretentiousness. It’s a place where one could rub shoulders with the locals – and the prices are also a lot more reasonable.
My biggest regret? That my French was too limited to truly understand and get to know the soul of the island and it’s amazing and friendly people.
