• Mauritius recorded a 56% increase in UK Google searches for “Christmas in Mauritius” over the past three months.

• The island ranked fourth overall in Travelbag’s study of UK festive travel demand, behind Abu Dhabi, Vietnam, and Dubai.

• Rising demand highlights Mauritius’ role in long-haul tourism flows and its competition with destinations in the Middle East and Asia.

A new study by UK long-haul travel company Travelbag shows that Mauritius has become the fourth-most popular Christmas holiday destination for UK travellers in 2025. The ranking is based on internal booking data and Google search volume, which identified destinations experiencing the most significant surge in festive demand. Searches for “Christmas in Mauritius” rose by 56% in the past three months, placing the island behind Abu Dhabi, Vietnam, and Dubai.

The study highlights broader shifts in UK travel preferences. Abu Dhabi recorded the highest increase in searches at 91%, followed by Vietnam at 86% and Dubai at 82%. Mauritius’ 56% growth positioned it ahead of Costa Rica, the Maldives, and South Africa. The findings suggest that UK travellers are increasingly favouring long-haul destinations offering warm-weather holidays during the festive season.

For Mauritius, the ranking underscores the importance of the UK market in its tourism sector. Tourism contributes around 20% of the country’s GDP, and the UK remains one of its largest source markets. Data shows increased demand during the Christmas period translates into higher hotel occupancy, foreign exchange earnings, and seasonal employment, reinforcing tourism’s role in the national economy.

The competition is significant. Mauritius is contending with Middle Eastern hubs such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which benefit from direct flight connections and aggressive marketing campaigns. It also faces rising interest in Asian destinations such as Vietnam, which are attracting UK travellers with cultural experiences and competitive pricing. Mauritius's position in the top five indicates its continued relevance to global tourism flows despite this competition.

The broader environment also reflects global travel recovery and changing consumer preferences. UK outbound travel has rebounded strongly, with long-haul destinations seeing renewed demand. Reports from Barclays and British Airways highlight how social media, lifestyle choices, and experiential travel are shaping bookings. Statista’s 2025 tourism outlook notes that sustainability and cultural immersion are increasingly important to travellers. Mauritius, with its beaches, cultural diversity, and eco-tourism initiatives, aligns with these trends, strengthening its competitive position.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang