Reunion Island scores a record year for tourism in 2017

Following record tourist figures reported at the end of 2016, Reunion counted a total of more than 550,000 visitors in 2017. With 11% more tourists than in 2016, this double-digit increase has delighted the destination's tourism authority as well as local stakeholders across the sector.

A record number of tourists means a record amount of consumption, and accordingly the increase in the number of visitors had a direct effect on the local economy: more than €350 million euros of tourist-related external revenue was generated in 2017. Again, this is a first for the destination.

Mainland France remains the most buoyant market to enjoy the island’s “Ultimate Experience”, with 78.3% of total visitors. The number of tourists coming from France increased by 7.59% compared to 2016 (397,338 tourists).

After mainland France, the destination's main market is the islands of the Indian Ocean, with Mauritius in the lead, which seems more and more drawn to Reunion: the number of tourists coming from the area increased by nearly 46% over the year and now represents 6% of the total number of visitors (64,104 tourists).

Reunion's activities on the non-French European market continue to bear fruit, as this zone now represents 6% of the total number of visitors to the destination, with 30,496 tourists, or 4.37% more than last year.

Overall, leisure tourism remains in the majority, representing nearly 9 out of 10 visitors. It is complemented by business tourism.

The average length of stay for tourists is 17 days, an important figure for a long-haul destination like Reunion.

In terms of accommodation, the hotel industry has once again this year reaffirmed and even strengthened its leading position in the "commercial accommodation" category. More than 108,000 tourists chose to stay in one of the hotels on the island during their trip, which is 11.48% more than in 2016.