I always get asked by people looking for a holiday destination, “Is Mauritius a nice place to go on holiday?” The resounding answer is yes!!! without a shadow of a doubt, Mauritius was and has become a paradise for anyone searching for an awesome beach holiday.
My most recent visit took up nearly the entire month of August, and although it was supposed to be their winter on the island, the weather in Mauritius in August was really good. More countries all over the world should be blessed with such “winters”!
For those of you wondering what to pack for Mauritius holiday, you don’t need very much at all during the day besides your swimming costume, and shorts and t-shirts. Perhaps slops or crocs as footwear around the breakfast buffet. Dependent on which property you are staying at or restaurant you are dining, you may be required to wear long pants and closed shoes.
During this trip, my family and I would spend 3 weeks at 3 different properties that belonged to the Beachcomber group and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview the General Managers at each resort.
Our first stop was at the 4* Le Victoria Beachcomber Resort . The general manager of the resort is Mr Kervyn Rayeroux. A complete gentleman and for anyone still asking themselves, “Is Mauritius a nice place to go on holiday,” let my interview with him give you the confidence that your next stop must be Mauritius.
RJZ: Why should overseas visitors and tourists come to Le Victoria Beachcomber Resort, Mauritius?
KR: Le Victoria has something quite special because we are one of the rare resorts in the north who have the largest rooms, 60 meters square, on the island, for a 4* resort.
The rooms being quite large can accommodate families, which is very attractive for them.
At the same time, we have 40 rooms on the other side of the property, which are for adults only.
RJZ: What problems do you solve for people looking for a good getaway from their normal lives?
KR: I think that once you get to the resort, it is like you get a quiet piece of mind. You get out of your daily routine activities, especially when you are on one of our all-inclusive packages.
So as soon as you are here, you start relaxing.
Our accommodation offers all sea facing rooms, which is quite cool, so the first thing you see when you wake up, is the sea!
This I believe offers our clients ample relaxation and the chance to get them completely out of their daily routines.
RJZ: What is your favourite destination and why?
KR: You know, as a Mauritian, it is quite normal I would not go to a beach because I am on the beach every day. Therefore, whenever I want to go to a tourist destination, I like to go to a big city.
For me personally, my best experience of big cities is New York and I am quite fond of Paris and Kuala Lumpur too!
RJZ: With over 30 years in the industry, how do you see the tourism sector developing in the 4- & 5-star clientele base going forward?
KR: Many years ago, it was quite basic, but nowadays you have many resorts around the island of Mauritius.
The key in my view is that we have managed to encourage the bigger airline carriers to fly into Mauritius. This in turn brings the 4- & 5-star clientele. Very rarely will you see the low-cost airlines flying into Mauritius. I believe if this continues to be the modus operandi of the tourism sector in Mauritius, our current client level will keep growing.
RJZ: Can you give me a fun fact of your personal experiences in the last 30 years? Something interesting or humorous that has happened to you.
KR: You know, in our work, every day is something different, but we have quite a lot of fun because we take our job, which is quite stressful, in a friendly and fun manner. This is the management style I like to use.
Fun facts, oh yes, I think the one which will stay with me, was one of our guests mistakenly went through the balcony to get into his room, instead of using the door. The problem was that he never checked which was his balcony.
So, he got into this room’s bathroom only to realize that it was not his personal toiletries. So, he left the room and went to his room next door. However, this was not before he had taken off his watch and left it by the bedside.
Later that evening when he was dressing to go for dinner, he was just looking for his watch and he said, “my God, where’s my watch?” remembering that he left it in the room where he had been.
So, quietly embarrassed he went to the door and knocked on the door.
He explained that he had left his watch by the other man’s bedside table.
It was a honeymoon couple who did not speak any English.
I have always found that to be quite funny
RJZ: Please end off telling me who you are and what position you hold in the company
KR: My name is Kervyn Rayeroux.
My story is quite simple, I am a Beachcomber guy. I started at 19 years old, so it is going to be 31 years, I have been with Beachcomber. I started as a public relationship officer at Shandrani, and then I was lucky to move to Paradis as a management trainee.
From that position I did two years in all departments, especially in food and beverage.
From there I had the chance to travel to France and New York and do my masters at Birmingham University, while working at the same time.
I went through all the levels of food and beverage until becoming the food and beverage manager, my first real managerial position was the food and beverage manager at the Dinarobin.
When I finished my masters, I was quite lucky, 4 years later I was promoted as number 2 in the Seychelles, managing a property of Beachcombers at the time.
I came back from the Seychelles in 2015 and I have been the hotel manager of Le Canonnier, for 4 years and then becoming resort manager here at Le Victoria for the last 5 years.
RJZ: And when is retirement age?
KR: Quite far away, at 65, so 14 more years. However, our politics in the company is we go up to 55 and then we give a chance to the younger generation.
RJZ: Thank you so much for your time Kervyn, the family truly loved their time at Le Victoria
My Ratings and Conclusion:
| Topic | Rating: | Comments |
| Service | X X X X X | Fantastic |
| Rooms | X X X X | 1st half of the resort ‘s rooms were being upgraded to the latest tech. Will make a big difference |
| Food | X X X X | Breakfast was a little dull |
| Amenities / Clubs | X X X X X | Superb, my kids where entertained constantly |
| Practicality | X X X X X | Everything as it should be |
| Cleanliness | X X X X X | Incredible |
| Politeness | X X X X X | The staff were amazing! |
Interested in finding out more about great deals to Mauritius, please feel free to email me: rael@wildsunsets.travel or check out some of our specials at www.wildsunsets.travel