Claire Le Lay-Commins, a French national with diverse industry experience, has been appointed Chairperson of the Board of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) in a move that aims to propel Mauritius back to its position as a premium tourism destination.

According to a press statement, Le Lay-Commins, who has been residing in Mauritius since 1993, will be focussed on revitalising the tourism sector. Her primary objective would be to reinvigorate the island’s promotional campaigns by working closely with industry stakeholders to address current challenges and ensuring high-quality hospitality and services will also be a priority task.

The statement adds that her goal would be to enhance Mauritius’s attractiveness by developing strategic partnerships and mobilising influential personalities to promote the destination. The government has set rigourous management of public funds, that will be crucial to ensuring profitability, as another key objective for the new chairperson.

The statement adds that with a background in communications, Le Lay-Commins has held key positions at various French companies including sugar manufacturer Saint-Louis and cosmetics giants Lancôme and L’Oréal. Additionally, she has also led Bao Communication, an agency specialiding in crisis management and public relations.

According to the statement, her experience also includes leadership roles at the La Sentinelle Group and the Hémisphère Évents agency, as well as overseeing communications for Microsoft in Mauritius. She has managed numerous large-scale events, including concerts by renowned artists such as Francis Cabrel and Kendji Girac.

Th statement adds that as chairperson, Claire Le Lay-Commins aims to position Mauritius as a must-visit destination for both regional and international tourism. With her expertise and network, she hopes to restore the island’s status among the leaders of the industry.

“I am very honoured by the mission entrusted to me by Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam and Minister of Tourism Richard Duval. It is a great challenge that I take up with passion to contribute to the tourism development of Mauritius,” says Le Lay-Commins.