Victoria Falls Targeted as Next Big Destination for Mauritian Travellers
South African Airways Mauritius and Atom Travel are running a November famtrip to Zimbabwe to build tailored holiday packages for Mauritian tourists.
Zimbabwe's iconic Victoria Falls is emerging as a potential new favourite for Mauritian holidaymakers, as two travel industry players join forces to explore the destination's tourism potential.
South African Airways Mauritius, the local arm of the South African national carrier, and Atom Travel, a Mauritius-based travel agency, are organising an educational tour to Victoria Falls from 5 to 8 November. The trip is designed for travel professionals rather than leisure tourists, with the goal of assessing the destination's readiness to welcome Mauritian visitors.
This type of trip is known in the travel industry as a familiarisation trip, or famtrip. Travel agents, tour operators and airline representatives visit a destination to evaluate hotels, transport links, local activities and overall infrastructure before they begin selling packages to their clients.
Victoria Falls, located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of Africa's most spectacular natural landmarks. The waterfall is roughly twice the height of Niagara Falls and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe has developed a solid tourism infrastructure over the decades, with a range of hotels, safari lodges, adventure sports operators and guided excursions.
For Mauritius-based travellers, reaching Victoria Falls typically requires a connecting flight, often through Johannesburg. South African Airways operates routes between Mauritius and South Africa, making it a natural partner for opening up southern African destinations to the Mauritian market.
The organisers say the November visit will focus specifically on evaluating accommodation options, so that competitive and well-matched holiday packages can be built for Mauritians looking to travel to Zimbabwe.
What this means: If the famtrip confirms that Victoria Falls can deliver a quality experience suited to Mauritian travellers' expectations, local agencies are likely to begin offering curated packages to the destination. This could give Mauritians a compelling new African adventure option, backed by flights and hotels vetted by professionals who understand local tastes and budgets. It also reflects a broader trend of Mauritian travel operators looking beyond the traditional European and Asian long-haul routes to explore closer African destinations.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Mauritians fly directly to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe?β
There is no direct flight from Mauritius to Victoria Falls. Travellers typically connect through Johannesburg, South Africa. South African Airways operates regular flights between Mauritius and Johannesburg, from where onward flights to Victoria Falls are available.
What is a travel famtrip and why does it matter?β
A familiarisation trip, or famtrip, is an organised visit where travel agents and tour operators assess a destination's hotels, activities and logistics before selling it to clients. The November 2024 Victoria Falls famtrip is being organised by South African Airways Mauritius and Atom Travel to evaluate whether the destination is suitable for Mauritian holiday packages.
What makes Victoria Falls a notable tourist destination?β
Victoria Falls sits on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia and is one of the world's largest waterfalls, roughly twice the height of Niagara Falls. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers activities such as safaris, bungee jumping, white-water rafting and guided wildlife tours, making it a popular destination for adventure and nature travellers.
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