TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Known for its luxurious and unique facilities, Marriott International reveals their unique offerings to GCC region with three of their key brands in Mauritius. Sydney Pierre, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Marriott Hotels Mauritius reveals more details in a candid conversation with TRAVTALK
Shehara Rizly
Share about the presence of Marriott International in Mauritius.
Managed under a license agreement from Marriott International, The JW Marriott Mauritius Resort, The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius, Le Meridien Ile Maurice are among the best in their respective categories and are set individually on unique locations.
JW Marriott Mauritius Resort is a five star luxury resort with 172 guest suites. It is situated on the southwestern side of the island. The white sands of Le Morne Beach and its warm turquoise lagoon create a magical setting where lavishly appointed accommodation help you relax amidst the many charms of Mauritius. Surrounded by breathtaking coral reefs and a backdrop of the majestic Le Morne Brabant Mountain, a Unesco Word Heritage site, it offers to reconnect to the beauty around you boasting panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.
Le Meridien Ile Maurice unlocks the destination with chic design and cuisine curated for the curious and creative traveler. Recently renovated with an investment of US$60 million, it is situated on the North West coast of the island and will be opening on February 1, 2022. Beautifully situated alongside the sandy beach on the North West coast of the island, Le Méridien Ile Maurice has a long history of reference in the Mauritian hospitality landscape. Featuring a unique design, the resort maintains its rich heritage while surprising its guests with inspired multicultural local artwork and sensory experiences, creating a stimulating environment and an inspirational hotspot for travellers from all continents and lovers of art in search of tropical inspiration. The resort boasts 261 rooms stylishly spread along the beach, giving an exceptional feeling of space and relaxation.
The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius is in the peaceful spot of the historical Balaclava area, facing the idyllic Turtle Bay, a protected marine park on the North West coast. Innovative, well-being programming and revitalizing amenities ensure that you leave feeling better than when you arrived.
Post – pandemic how are you marketing your property to the ME clients?
It is clear that travelling during such uncertain times creates challenge, especially in terms of planning. Offering flexible booking terms to our guests has become more of a necessity than a marketing item. Regular communication through our social platforms, training of our agents networks, regular update on sanitary protocol of the destination are a few initiatives that have proven effective than any usual marketing campaigns. We have also appointed Elev8 Representation & Consulting, founded by Seema Pande as our Sales and Marketing arm in the Middle East market.
Have you seen a trend of different bookings from ME clients? Do they book directly or through agents or OTAs?
We would not say that our customer behaviour has changed, but the pandemic has forced our customers to find their ways to book. We believe that the customers still trust their travel agents but will automatically book OTAs or even direct based on circumstances. It is too early to establish consistent booking patterns, but it will be interesting to review those patterns once we are more settled.
Any new marketing strategies to attract the Middle Eastern travelers this year?
Communication, especially social media platforms, has proved to be successful and will continue to dominate. Our ability to showcase experiences to our customers with proper collaterals such as innovative videos, testimonials do the job much more that any type of marketing strategy. New experiences are always welcome, especially when combined with the destination on offer. The real actors such as chefs, and various performers are always more effective in showing the real character of the hotels and destination.
