Tourism: Decrease 75% of the Taxi Business

It is with a voice filled with frustration and resentment qu'Asraf Ramdin, a taxi driver in Prince Maurice and also general secretary of the Taxi Owners' Union, tells us what his life Calvary taxi driver operating in the vicinity hotels right now.

The context that is causing the decline in tourism activities but also a watermark 'competition' taxis or other transportation companies 'contract' from elsewhere and often called by tour operators or the hoteliers themselves, he says.

Anger is getting higher among taxi drivers. Indeed, there are many taxis, having as base operating hotels that say they do not really work. They deplore the fact that 'carriers' from elsewhere take their job.

Worse, they accuse some hotels and even more viciously, some members of the government to create rental companies taking their transport, thus their livelihood. Some even have to go to bring actions before the Court of Justice. They indicate that with the exception of a large tour operator agreement (MoU) signed a few years ago between the Taxi Association, the Departments of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism is not respected. This agreement says Asraf Ramdin was done so that tour operators do not use taxis operating abroad to come and work in their area of operation.

Raffick Bahadoor, president of the Taxi Owners' Union, feels the same way and decries the situation as catastrophic. He also criticized the hoteliers design 'packages' for their clients, leaving no work for taxi drivers. "Even new pe bizin sorted peanuts," he exclaims.

Raffick Bahadoor indicates that the activity for taxis has decreased by about 75% and that they should go into the surrounding villages to work with. "The hoteliers are taking over all the work while they use the state land and taxpayer money to go marketing campaigns and promote their hotels," exasperates he . Adding that "even for chilli cakes, they prevent tourists from buying outside the hotel." Christian Lefèvre, managing director of tour operator Coquille Bonheur, we asked said that if we can understand that hoteliers have made considerable investments they want to monetize, it must also be fair to all players the tourism industry.

"Even if we practice the 'All-inclusive', we can also provide an opportunity for tourists to visit Mauritius freely by taxi or bus. Today, it is a moment of panic in the tourism sector. But we need to share the wealth because many actors working indirectly with tourists suffer greatly at this time, "he says.