Former Special Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, Donald Payen has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) and took office on the 3rd of April 2023.

Commenting on his appointment, the new Chairperson of MTPA said:

“I am honoured and humbled by the continued trust placed in me. I have been a member of the Board of the Tourist Office on several occasions since my first appointment in 2003 and look forward to carrying on with the work done to build back (tourism) better.

“In this context, I would like to pay tribute to my predecessors and to all those who have worked, and equally those who are currently working so hard for their contribution in making tourism an important pillar of our economy, a pillar we can all be proud of. Our priority remains returning to the level of activity we had prior to the pandemic.

“We will focus on delivering on this objective in the true spirit of public/private partnership (including ALL partners) spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, which remains the cornerstone of our modus operandi at the MTPA.”

Prior to the appointment, Donald Payen was a Senior Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of Mauritius from August 2020. Before that, he spent 41 years at Air Mauritius, the country’s national airline.

Mauritius is an island nation on the Indian Ocean. Its miles of palm-fringed sandy beaches, almost entirely encircled by coral reefs, offer sanctuary for those who want to spend days lounging on the beach. The crystal clear waters are perfect for diving, snorkelling, swimming, kayaking and that’s just the beginning.

What makes Mauritius different is that it has so much to offer beyond the beach. Whether it’s skydiving out of a plane, hiking through the mountains and National Parks or soaking up the culture, this is truly a destination with something for everyone.

The islands’ Dutch, French and British legacy is reflected in colonial mansions and botanical gardens, while hospitable locals of African, Indian and Chinese heritage give the island an authentic feel, with colourful markets and temples, fusion cuisine, and the sashaying séga.

Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) was set up under the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) Act 1996 as a parastatal body to promote Mauritius abroad as a tourist destination.