The destination “La Réunion” is popular with tourists, as evidenced by the figures presented by the president of the IRT, Patrick Lebreton. Reunion Island, with its encouraging results and its strategy focused on authenticity and sustainability, intends to continue its momentum. Today, it is a question of maintaining this positive dynamic while taking up the challenge of sustainable tourism, respectful of the environment and Reunion values. “.
With over 556,000 visitors in 2023, the island is on a solid growth trajectory. In the first half of this year, over 264,000 tourists have already been registered, representing a positive variation of +0.2%. We are not yet in the peak tourist season, which will begin soon, especially with the Grand Raid. We are therefore very confident. It is obviously a question of continuing on this path and working to attract more and more, or at least better and better, tourists. “.
The stakes are high: 79% of these visitors come from France, including 46% for affinity-based stays. Leisure tourism, for its part, represents almost 45%. Our participation in this show allows us to maintain our links with tour operators and tourism players in order to build customer loyalty and attract new visitors. “. The event is therefore not a simple “one-shot”, but rather a strategy thought out over the long term. This year, Reunion Island marked its presence with more authentic architecture, highlighting its Creole assets, a way of reinforcing the island’s image of authenticity.
Tourism results in full recovery after the health crisis
The year 2023 saw Reunion Island tourism recover significantly. We have caught up and even exceeded pre-COVID numbers “, notes the president of the IRT. ” We are in a recovery dynamic “From now on, the stakes are international, even if the tourism policy put in place also wishes to turn more towards the people of Reunion themselves.” We can very well convey the message “Come back to Reunion, there are things to visit, to rediscover”… We want to contribute to creating this tourist friendliness “At the same time, Reunion Island is also seeking to attract other European markets, such as Germany. There may be something to develop tomorrow: a link, an airline to establish, as was done with Mauritius. “.
One of the major challenges for Reunion Island is to continue to develop its tourism while respecting its exceptional sites. How can we develop our tourism while respecting the environment? While being an intense island? This is a challenge that we want to take up, and this is what will make us different from others. It is already part of our DNA and will be the key to our tourism approach tomorrow. Yes, sustainability and sustainability are major issues, and this means that we want to succeed in tourism while involving the people of Reunion, because they are the best partners to support us in this process. We want to create this tourist attraction first for and with the people of Reunion, then for all those who visit us “.
New projects to support growth and tourist accommodation
To support this recovery dynamic, Reunion Island must also strengthen its tourist infrastructure. The development of new accommodation capacities is at the heart of the priorities of local authorities. We have seen the opening of several recent establishments “, notes Patrick Lebreton. Other projects are underway. The Region has also chosen to increase aid to hotels through European funds. ” We have decided to increase aid to hotels to 60%, compared to 40% previously “This measure aims to encourage investment in accommodation structures, particularly in the more remote regions of the island. Support for investors in the territory is seen as a priority to strengthen the tourist attractiveness of the island.
At the same time, Réunion is also banking on more innovative projects, such as the creation of a “Creole Villages Route”. This project aims to promote the authenticity of Réunion villages and to offer a tourist experience in line with the expectations of a clientele in search of authenticity. This will be another asset to differentiate our tourist offer “, adds the president of the IRT, who sees in this project a strong potential to attract new customers and diversify the tourist offer of the island.
While waiting for the Top Resa Show to close its doors this Thursday, September 19, the Reunion stand is still worth visiting, at Porte de Versailles, among the other destinations in the Indian Ocean.
Abby Said Adinani
