DRMumbai: The French Government-administered region of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean held a roadshow in Mumbai recently. The island destination welcomed half a million tourists last year. More than 70 per cent of them is from France visiting family and friends. Other major source markets are Mauritius, Germany and South Africa. “China and India are markets with immense potential”, said William Techer, Head of Marketing & Promotion for India. Réunion Island has a market presence in India since the last two years bolstered by a direct flight every week from Chennai operated by Air Austral.
Till recently, they were being managed by Representation World. “We will have a full-time representative office in India from April 2018 to manage trade relations and marketing promotion.” Réunion Island is ideal for families, kids and singles, and not just couples. Much more than a beach destination, the island offers gastronomy, art and culture, nature, hiking and water sports. “For a memorable beach holiday, we would still recommend Mauritius, which is just 30 minutes away by flight,” Techer said. “But we do have a 22-km-long lagoon totally safe for swimming and water sports in our unique island.”
The DMCs will help with a free visa voucher. There is no need for a visa to visit Réunion Island if your stay is not exceeding 15 days. On the accommodations front, there are about 3000 rooms in the star-rated hotel category and hundreds of traditional guesthouses. Since 2010, Réunion Island is home to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site that covers about 40 per cent of the island’s area and coincides with the central zone of the Réunion National Park.
Piton de la Fournaise (Peak of the Furnace), one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is located within Réunion National Park and is a ‘must visit’ destination. A very attractive incentives scheme was announced for Indian agents on the occasion. “We want to position Réunion Island as a unique experience in affordable luxury. And we feel the Indian outbound traveller is looking for such experiences and not the run-of-the-mill holidays.”
