The number of tourists who visited Reunion Island for the first quarter 2018 has exceeded the expectations with 241 579 foreign visitors recorded for the period. There has been a growth of 11% compared to the same period last year, with very good results in January (58 771 tourists). Metropolitan France remains the leader for the Sister Island with 79% market share. With 191 145 tourists from continental France visiting Reunion Island during the first six months, there has been 24 276 more than last year for the same period. The travellers from the Indian Ocean region have also a significant share with 13.3% of the total number of tourists.

The European market, other than France, represents 6.5% of the market, with most of them coming from Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. The rest of the world represents 1.5% of the tourists recorded since the beginning of the year. More than 190 million Euros spent by foreign tourists have been recorded for the half-year, representing more than one million Euros in terms of tourist revenues per day on the territory. There are more and more tourists coming to visit the island by sea. Between January and April 2018, 22 cruise ships have drawn alongside Reunion Island for a stopover during this semester against only 15 during the same period last year.

Photo credits: IRT - Luc Perrot