Mauritius cut its 2012 tourist arrivals forecast on Tuesday to 980,000 from an earlier estimate of 1,010,000, as it factored in the impact of the global economic crisis on key markets such as the euro zone.
Tourism typically generates about 10 percent of gross domestic product for the Indian Ocean island's $10 billion economy.
Statistics Mauritius said in spite of the downward revision, tourist arrivals were still expected to increase by 1.6 percent this year from 964,642 a year ago.
Statistics Mauritius said the average room occupancy rate for all hotels in 2011 was 65 percent, the same as in 2010.
The Indian Ocean island nation is seeking to tap new markets, especially in Asia, as its traditional markets in Europe have been hit by the economic slowdown.
Finance Minister Xavier Duval said in his 2012 budget speech that more funds would be made available for an international marketing campaign. - Reuters