Practical information for those travelling to Mauritius - Part 1

The Republic of Mauritius is a small island situated instranded on the island without anybody knowing
the Indian Ocean. The country has several otherwhat you are saying.
islands belonging to Mauritius, these are generallyIf you are travelling to Mauritius you will need a valid
primitive and well worth a visit. Mauritius has a stablepassport, onward/return ticket, and proof of
democratic government and a diverse economy. Itssufficient funds is required. Travellers must also
per capita is among the best for a developingprovide a local address where they will be staying in
country and is the second highest in Africa. FacilitiesMauritius. Visas are issued at the point of entry and
for tourism in Mauritius are fairly well developed andthis is very handy indeed. There are few developing
the high level of literacy has greatly helped Mauritiuscountries in the world where you can just go there
in its endeavour to become a high profile touristand get a visa stamped on your passport within less
destination. Furthermore, authorities have set a highthan 15 minutes and this makes for a pleasant arrival
target for increasing the tourist population travellingat the airport. A tourist entry fee and the airport
to Mauritius with sweeping changes and reforms todeparture tax are included in the price of a plane
the tourism sector in order to achieve the objectives.ticket so you need not worry about carrying cash
Most of the population is well educated and this isduring your trip. More and more airlines are now
definitely an asset for Mauritius. In fact most peopletravelling to Mauritius. In an effort to increase the
can not only speak Creole, the native language, butnumber of tourists to Mauritius at least four fold in
will also manage quite well in both spoken and writtenthe next 7 years the authorities are keen to
English and French. This is indeed a remarkableencourage competition in the aviation sector thus
achievement. Mauritius has a strange language mix.cutting the prices of air tickets and allowing more
Although English is the official language, most peopletravellers to afford a trip to Mauritius. So do shop
are more comfortable reading and speaking Frencharound and compare the prices.
and the most spoken language is the Creole which isIf, like many who travel to Mauritius, you fall in love
not widely written. Although their mother tongue iswith the place and decide to stay, there are a
Creole, all children in Mauritius have to learn Englishnumber of schemes in place that will allow foreigners
and French right from their first day at school untilto obtain a residence permit. There are a number of
they leave. In fact, English and French are compulsoryIntegrated Resort Schemes that enable foreigners to
subjects at every stage of the school curriculum.purchase properties in Mauritius with a residence
Whilst there has been a lot of debates on thepermit. There are also arrangements to allow local
question and on whether children are being generallycompanies to recruit and apply for working permits in
held back because of the multitude of languagesMauritius relatively easily. For more information it is
they have to learn from an early stage, the fact thatbest to contact the Immigration authorities in the
every Mauritian speaks at least 2 foreign languages isMauritius.
a definite benefit for Mauritius. So, unlike most touristMauritius welcomes you.
destinations around the world, you will very rarely be