Leisure activities, whether on land or water or in the air, have always been regarded by Rogers as aiding tourism development. The Group now offers a wide range of leisure tourism activities in Mauritius, via its Hotels, Property Development & Agribusiness and Travel arms. Symbiosis between them is a way of better unleashing their complementarity.
photos : heritage resorts | mtpa
Located in a beautiful natural setting, extending over more than six thousand acres with the sea to one side and the countryside to the other in Mauritius’ still relatively undeveloped South, the Domaine de Bel Ombre and its surroundings epitomise Rogers’ leisure tourism ambitions. From its original use for agriculture and mainly focused on sugarcane for more than two hundred years, since the turn of the current century, the Domaine has been successfully transformed into a unique tourism destination with a multitude of recreational opportunities.
Around the Château de Bel Ombre are today found the IRS estate of Villas Valriche, one of the most beautiful golf courses in Africa, the Heritage Golf Club and five luxury hotels sites, including the Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort and the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa. There is also the C Beach Club (the South’s trendiest), as well as the Place du Moulin, and a shopping and events area arranged around the remnants of the ancient sugar mill. A real treat for the senses, each of the Heritage hotels has a village spa, Seven Colours, a unique Mauritian brand. For those looking for a more active stay, there is a fitness centre and a wide range of land and sea-based activities, including kitesurfing.
Nature’s omnipresence
The picture is complemented by the imposing countryside found in the 1,300 acres of the Frederica Nature Reserve, carefully preserved thanks to a privileged and long-standing partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. The topography provides breathtaking views, with vast plains where deer wander, dazzling waterfalls and pristine countryside. There are various ways of appreciating the impressive landscape – on quad-bike rides, discovery trips in four-by-fours and walks, as well as mini-quad trips for youngsters and tours of the Domaine on a Segway. On higher ground lies the Frederica Lodge, a comfortable holiday spot suitable both for nature stays and for private functions.
The panoply of leisure activities is completed by Le Chamarel Restaurant, which has recently been refurbished and extended, and the fascinating geological phenomenon of the Seven-Coloured Earth – with the Pamplemousses Gardens, one of the country’s most visited attractions – and the nearby waterfalls, as well as the bucolic setting of the Case Noyale Lodge.
For its part, last January Rogers Aviation created a Leisure Travel arm, grouping together its three operations in the sector – its Holidays by BlueSky leisure tourism agencies, its Resaplanet online agency and the leisure activities it offers in Mauritius, which consist principally of Croisières Australes excursions and Yacht Management.
Modernising customer relations
The first aim is to position BlueSky as a leading leisure tourism operator in the Indian Ocean region. This has of course to use online communication channels but there is also now a lounge, recently opened at Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius, which provides not only traditional travel services but also accommodation and leisure services in Mauritius.
The Travel arm is also working on a more modern customer relationship focused particularly on inspiration, with an increased use of new technology in order to reach the different age groups according to their communication preferences.
An enlarged range of services should also mean the company can better respond to the diversity of client expectations. For example, the services provided by Croisières Australes for almost a quarter of a century, including day cruises, will be modernised and expanded with new sea-based possibilities.
A joint sales structure
Moreover, a common sales structure with the Domaine de Bel Ombre will be introduced to market Croisières Australes, the Frederica Nature Reserve, the Chamarel Restaurant and the Seven-Coloured Earth, as well as offerings from other partners.
In the on-line agency sector, Resplanet’s main challenge is to be able to propose original and special experiences whilst simultaneously increasing its presence in
English-speaking markets.
The end aim is to provide enhanced synergy, consolidating Rogers’ existing leisure offerings, so that the Group can offer an even fuller customer experience.
The lifestyle experience
Even shopping malls like Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius, which is part of the portfolio of the property company, Ascencia, emphasise the importance of their leisure facilities. Visitors go there as much to shop as to eat in a restaurant, go the cinema or even to play indoor football. The opening of a bowling alley is also in line with the strategic objective of providing a genuine lifestyle experience. y
