Tourism in Réunion

Tourism is an important part of the economy of Réunion, an island and French overseas departement in the Indian Ocean. Despite its many tourism assets, the island's tourist attractions are not well known.

Tourist numbers

Tourism is a major contributor to Réunion's economy. Despite this, the island does not experience mass tourism, partly because of a lack of high quality beaches. The island has impressive natural features inland, but these natural tourist attractions are not well known. [cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/reunion/ |title=Reunion: Overview |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work=Lonely Planet |date=2008 ] In order to boost its tourist industry, the authorities in Réunion heavily promote the country in France and at travel and tourism conferences throughout the world, and diversification of Réunion's tourist industry is a high priority. The tourist industry promotes the island's environment and encourages outdoor activities and ecotourism. Réunion's peak tourist season is from late June to early September, with another busy period from October to early January.cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/reunion/when-to-go |title=Reunion: When to Go |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work=Lonely Planet |date=2008 ]

In 2001, 424,000 tourists visited Réunion, creating a revenue of €271.5 million.cite book |title=Africa South of the Sahara 2004 |last= |first= |url=http://books.google.ie/books?id=jj4J-AXGDaQC |coauthors= |year=2003 |publisher=Taylor & Francis Group, Routledge |location= |isbn=1857431839 |pages=867 ] The amount of tourists visiting Réunion decreased in 2004 because of the high cost of flights to the country and competition from the tourist attractions of Mauritius and Seychelles. The 2005 Chikungunya epidemic in Réunion was reported by the French media, which caused a loss of confidence among tourists. Tourist bookings decreased by more than 60% during 2006 and early 2007. One-third of the island's population was infected with the virus by 2007. Large efforts were made to kill the island's mosquito population, and the tourist industry began to recover.cite web |url=http://www.euromonitor.com/Travel_And_Tourism_in_Reunion |title=Travel and Tourism in Reunion |accessdate=2008-06-21 |publisher=Euromonitor |date=April 2007 ] cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/reunion/history |title=Reunion: History |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work=Lonely Planet |date=2008 ] The island's status as an overseas department of France has benefited its infrastructure.

Tourist attractions

Réunion's tourist attractions are not well known, and include its favourable climate and impressive scenery. The island's topography is very mountainous,cite web |url=http://www.pocruises.com/Destinations/Africa/Reunion/Overview.axd |title=About Reunion |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work=P&O Cruises |date=2008 ] with mountains that can be as high as 3,000 m (9,842 ft) close to the coast. The island has many natural tourist attractions, including Piton des Neiges (the highest point on the island), lava cliffs, and deep canyons. Another tourist attraction is the active shield volcano Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. [cite web |url=http://www.travelafricamag.com/content/view/411/73/ |title=Reunion: Country Profile |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work=Travel Africa Magazine |date=Autumn 1999 ] [cite web |url=http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0303-02%3D |title=Piton de la Fournaise |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work=Global Volcanism Program |date= |publisher=Smithsonian ] The collapsed calderas of Cirque de Cilaos, Cirque de Mafate, and Cirque de Salazie also draw tourists. The Le Maïdo viewpoint is located at an altitude of 2,205 m (7,232 ft) and has excellent views of the coast. [cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/reunion/sights/106086?list=true |title=Reunion: Sights Le Maïdo |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work=Lonely Planet |date=2008 ] There is good surfing off the island's west coast.cite book |title=Worldwide Destinations: The Geography of Travel and Tourism |last=Boniface |first=Brain G. |coauthors=Christopher P. Cooper |url=http://books.google.ie/books?id=5fosrWcXOlEC |year=2001 |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |isbn=0750642319 |pages=252 ]

Réunion's capital Saint-Denis and the lagoons of St-Gilles-les Bains also attract tourists. The Domaine du Grand Hazier, an 18th century home of a sugar planter and official French historical monument, has a large garden with fruit trees and tropical flowers.cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/reunion/sights/106090?list=true |title=Reunion: Sights Domaine du Grand Hazier |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work=Lonely Planet |date=2008 ] Festivals take place year round throughout the island.

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