Friday, June 13, 2025
Mauritius is set to host the highly anticipated API Forum 2025, a pivotal event focusing on sustainable growth and strategic investment in the hospitality sector across the Indian Ocean region. This forum will bring together industry leaders, government representatives, and investors to explore innovative solutions for the region’s tourism and hospitality development. With a spotlight on eco-conscious practices and sustainable initiatives, the forum aims to strengthen Mauritius’s role as a leading destination for responsible tourism, while offering valuable insights into emerging opportunities for growth and collaboration in this rapidly evolving market.
As Mauritius gears up to host the 3rd Annual API Mauritius & Indian Ocean Property Investment Forum on June 26, industry experts are emphasizing the island’s leadership in sustainable tourism and hospitality growth across the Indian Ocean region.
The forum is set to be a major gathering to explore the potential for growth, investment opportunities, and the innovative collaborations shaping the future of hospitality not just in Mauritius, but throughout the region.
Mauritius has earned growing recognition as a pioneer in sustainable tourism, fueled by proactive government policies, the tourism sector’s commitment to eco-conscious practices, and progressive real estate initiatives.
The government has set an ambitious goal of transforming Mauritius into a “Green Destination” by 2030, focusing on minimizing the environmental impact of tourism, such as reducing pollution and conserving resources. Simultaneously, the country seeks to enhance the positive effects of tourism by protecting its natural landscapes, supporting local communities, and safeguarding cultural heritage.
In parallel, real estate developments are adopting green building practices, incorporating energy-efficient designs and renewable energy solutions to lower carbon footprints. This collective effort by the government, industry players, and the real estate sector is fostering a tourism model that not only draws visitors but also protects the environment and uplifts local communities.
Neil George, Partner and Executive Director of Aleph Hospitality, notes that the region faces a significant opportunity to expand eco-certified hotels and circular economic practices in tourism that target waste reduction and promote local sourcing.
“Over the next five years, I believe that we will see substantial growth in eco-certified hotels as sustainability becomes a key differentiator. I expect that foreign investment in green hospitality projects will increase as Mauritius strengthens its sustainability credentials,” says George of Aleph Hospitality, which is the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa.
He acknowledges that one of the significant obstacles in attracting institutional funding to Africa is the perception of “Africa risk” and the challenges related to the relatively illiquid markets across the continent.
In other words, Africa is still largely seen as lacking transparency, and buying or selling assets quickly often leads to price fluctuations. This makes it difficult for large investors, including banks and financial institutions, to allocate capital to the region. These investors generally prefer markets with readily available information and the ability to quickly recover their investments when needed.
Investment hurdles and creative solutions
Institutional funding, such as traditional debt and equity financing, often faces limitations when it comes to hospitality projects in the Indian Ocean region due to perceived market risks and low liquidity.
Both Neil George and Govind Mundra, Head of Development for the Middle East & Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, point out that while these challenges persist, there are innovative approaches to overcoming them.
Mundra highlights the success of branded residences and rental pool resorts as strategies that help developers pre-sell units, reducing the need for significant upfront capital. These models also leverage the advantages of global brand management and distribution networks. Wyndham plays a key role in assisting developers and investors with these strategies.
“Branded residences and rental pools allow developers to pre-sell units—whether villas or condo-style apartments—while retaining them under a hotel management structure, easing both equity requirements and long-term debt burden.
“It also gives investors the chance to monetize their assets while benefiting from a global brand, unified reservation system, and professional management. For interested investors, we’re always happy to explore these models further after the session. They’ve proven to be a powerful tool, especially when paired with our operational scale and strong visibility in key source markets,” says Mundra.
Wyndham’s “Wyndham Green” program offers a detailed framework for hotels to meet their sustainability objectives, providing a tiered system that evaluates performance across five levels. These levels focus on areas like energy consumption, waste management, sustainable sourcing, and community involvement. This initiative meets the rising demand from eco-conscious travelers, particularly younger generations, while also aligning with Mauritius’s goal of establishing itself as a global leader in sustainable tourism.
Looking ahead, experts predict a significant transformation in the hospitality industry of Mauritius over the next five years. Sustainability will shift from being a voluntary choice to a fundamental requirement for new developments. Future resorts will need to meet standards related to eco-certification, environmental resilience, and digital integration. Guests will increasingly expect a blend of sustainability and authentic cultural experiences.
Aleph Hospitality, with its expertise in personalized management solutions, provides local entrepreneurs and investors the opportunity to enhance operational efficiency, improve service standards, and secure international brands and investors through strategic partnerships. This collaborative strategy ensures better returns on investments from the project’s early stages to its eventual completion.
Marriott International, one of the world’s largest hotel chains, has also reaffirmed its commitment to the island, emphasizing Mauritius’s stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and exceptional hospitality.
Says Jugal Khushalani, the Senior Director of Development for Sub-Saharan Africa at Marriott International: “The destination offers a resilient, high-value tourism offering that has evolved in terms of experience, accessibility, and infrastructure. It also caters to the rising demand for experiential travel with enhanced luxury offerings, wellness experiences and environmentally conscious initiatives.”
Marriott International recognizes significant opportunities to grow its hotel presence, tapping into the robust and high-value tourism market in Mauritius.
Similarly, Radisson Hotel Group remains optimistic about Mauritius’s tourism potential, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to expanding within the Indian Ocean region, further strengthening its footprint in Mauritius.
“Mauritius is setting the tone for sustainable hospitality in the region,” says Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President of Development, Radisson Hotel Group, a major international hospitality company.
“There’s a clear opportunity to lead with eco-certified hotels, community-integrated experiences, and smart resort design – and we’re eager to be part but also to lead that journey. There’s growing demand from conscious travellers for resorts that integrate environmental stewardship with authentic local experiences which we have made our priority in all the hotels we operate on the island and globally,” says Rankoussi.
The Radisson Hotel Group has set an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero operations by 2050. Alongside this sustainability initiative, the group plans to strengthen its presence in the Indian Ocean region, focusing on expanding its footprint in Mauritius, Madagascar, Reunion, and the Maldives. Furthermore, Radisson aims to enter the Seychelles market, introducing its wide-ranging portfolio of lifestyle, upper-upscale, and environmentally conscious brands to more destinations across the region.
Mauritius will host the API Forum 2025, highlighting sustainable growth and strategic investment in the Indian Ocean hospitality industry. The event will focus on eco-conscious practices and opportunities for collaboration, positioning Mauritius as a key player in responsible tourism.
In collaboration with local governments and industry stakeholders, the Mauritian government’s 2025-2029 development program places a strong emphasis on eco-tourism as a central component of its sustainable growth strategy. Key initiatives by the Tourism Authority include the ban on single-use plastics, the promotion of renewable energy solutions, and the encouragement of local sourcing. The government is also bolstering eco-label certifications, such as Green Globe, for hotels, many of which are held by prestigious resorts. These efforts not only mitigate the environmental impact but also elevate Mauritius’ standing as a destination committed to responsible tourism practices.
