Mauritius: India's favorite wedding destination

Mauritius continues to seduce the Indian travellers and has won the Best All-Season International Destination for TODAY’S TRAVELLER AWARD 2014 under the International Tourism category.

Indian Wedding at Bel Ombre Mauritius

The Director of the MTPA, Dr. Karl Mootoosamy, will be present in India on the 16th of September, 2014 to receive this prestigious award. The 8th Today’s Traveller Awards recognises and honours outstanding performers in the corporate, hospitality, travel and entertainment industries.

Mauritius has become a well-known destination in India, and to boost the demand for the high-end travel, focus is made mostly on the luxurious and high-end products in Mauritius. The destination has also build its repute on the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) segment, and to further penetrate this market, Mauritius participates actively with the travel trade partners in several wedding fairs and roadshows.

The destination has become famous in the Indian market for the weddings in Mauritius, engagements and birthday parties that are organised on the island. In 2013, growth in tourism arrivals for India registered a growth rate of 3,7%.  57,255 visited Mauritius, made up of mostly honeymooners and holidaymakers, compared to 55,197 in 2012. For 2014, more than 60, 000 Indian tourists are expected to visit the island.

The award ceremony will be held at a Five Star hotel in Delhi, on Tuesday, September 16, 2014. The Honorable Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism & Culture, has graciously consented to honour the event as the Chief Guest and will deliver the award to Dr. Karl Mootoosamy.

Today’s Traveller, the premier business and leisure travel magazine, will also be celebrating its 17th Anniversary. To mark this milestone, the cover of the 2014 edition of the Coffee Table Book — Today’s Traveller ‘WINNERS’ MATRIX’, will be released at the same event.

Take the time to watch the video of Indian Wedding of Teejana & Snehit Wedding Highlights - Beautiful Wedding in the south of Mauritius
Location: C Beach Club, Heritage The Villas Mauritus Valriche, Le Chateau de Bel Ombre, St Regis

VAT Refund for Tourists in Seychelles !

Go to Seychelles and Enjoy a Tax Free Shopping !

The Value Added Tax (VAT) Act 2010 has established certain mechanisms for VAT registered taxpayers to claim a VAT credit as well as a refund for their businesses. Registered businesses will be able to get a VAT credit and refund after VAT has been implemented as of 1st January 2013. The basic rule requires that input tax is claimed in the accounting period in which the tax relating to the relevant goods or services became taxable.

How does a VAT credit works for businesses ?

A business has to offset an Input Tax against Output Tax to determine the tax liability (or tax due). The output tax is the VAT collected from customers on each taxable supply. The input tax allowed as credit is the tax paid on purchases and attributable to taxable supplies. 

Where the output tax exceeds the input tax for the taxable period, the differences must be paid to the Seychelles Revenue Commission. If the input tax exceeds the output tax, a VAT credit occurs. 

While credits are in most cases, carried forward on the next VAT return, they can be refunded if certain conditions are met. 

What are the conditions for claiming a VAT refund ?

The most likely source of credit claims for refunds will be in the case of businesses that are mostly engaged in zero-rated sales, which is typically the case for exporters. For exporters, any amount of input tax is potentially refundable. Exporters will receive a VAT refund in the same VAT period while a business exclusively engaged in export transactions does not collect VAT (output tax is zero -0), it is entitled to claim VAT credit on its inputs. 

The following conditions should be met before a VAT registered business can claim for a VAT refund:

1. The VAT taxpayer’s activity mainly consists of exports: a minimum of 85% of its total turnover is attributed to export sales;
2. The VAT taxpayer’s activity mainly consists in zero-rated supplies (other than exports): a minimum of 85% of its turnover is attributed to zero-rated supplies;
3. The VAT taxpayers (1 and 2 above) are able to justify with sufficient evidence and proper records the reality of the exports or zero-rated supplies upon request by SRC;
4. The VAT taxpayer’s main activity consists of supplies other than zero rated and exempt supplies: The VAT credit reported on the (monthly or quarterly) VAT return must be at least equal to SR 10 000 after 3 consecutive months that the credit has been carried forward.

How does a business claim for a VAT refund ?

In order to claim for a refund the taxpayer/business must fill in the corresponding box at the bottom of the VAT return and must indicate the amount to be refunded. This amount cannot be more than the credit calculated. 

VAT refunds will be processed within a period of 45 days from the date the claim for a refund is made in accordance with the VAT Act, 2010. However, the given deadline may be extended in circumstances whereby: 

(i) a filed VAT return is incomplete;
(ii) the taxpayer has outstanding tax returns;
(iii) the taxpayer has failed to respond within a reasonable period for verification enquiries; or
(iv) SRC suspects, on reasonable grounds that the VAT return is inaccurate and/or the taxpayer is engaged in fraudulent activity, in which case the taxpayer will be subjected to an audit and/or investigations. 

Excess VAT credits should be primarily offset against VAT and other tax arrears, except where an outstanding amount is subject to a genuine dispute. This should be supported either by the taxpayer’s accounting documents and the debt management system. 

VAT refunds can be made:

• By cheque or;
• Bank to bank transfer

For more information:

You can contact Seychelles Revenue Commission on 4293745 or email us at vat@src.gov.sc for more information about VAT registration. 
The Value Added Tax Act, 2010 is available here. 

Hotel Intime Blogging in the Indian Ocean - #bloggerswanted

Concierge-Hotels.com is an online travel agency offering Privilege Services and Hotels in Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, Réunion, Maldives, Madagascar & Sri Lanka.

We are looking for bloggers, specialized and/or based in the islands of the Indian Ocean, to discover, blog, report, hotels and services in the different islands of our portfolio.

Please Contact me at: clea@concierge-hotels.com

#bloggerswanted for Indian Ocean Specialist Travel Agency

Concierge-Hotels.com is an online travel agency offering Privilege Services and Hotels in Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, Réunion, Maldives, Madagascar & Sri Lanka.

We are looking for bloggers, specialized/based in the Indian Ocean islands, to discover, blog, report, hotels and services in the different islands of our portfolio.

Please Contact me at: clea@concierge-hotels.com

Job Offers for Online Travel Agency and Senior Software Developer

Concierge-Hotels.com is an online travel agency offering Privilege Services and Hotels in Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, Réunion, Maldives, Madagascar & Sri Lanka.

We are hiring three Online Travel Consultant, russian speaking, madarin speaking and english speaking specialized on Indian Ocean hotels and resorts, to handle with particular attention all pre-arrangements/bookings for guests’ stay, and work in close collaboration with hotels and partners.

We are also looking for dynamic and experienced Senior Software Engineer Developer who will be challenged by the complex business logic of connectivity on online travel and hospitality.

WORKING HOURS & LOCATIONS

Working hours go from 10am to 8pm Mauritius time (6am to 4pm GMT http://www.worldtimebuddy.com/gmt-to-ist-converter)

Work location is based in Mauritius Floreal or possibly in homeshoring.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Fixed salary based on experience

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE Candidates are to apply on: buisdev@concierge-hotels.com

Reference to be quoted in email: SENIORPROGMRU AUG 2014 Unreferenced emails will NOT be considered.

All applications will be treated in strict confidentiality. Only selected candidates will be called for interview, others are thanked beforehand. We will NOT entertain ANY call regarding this job advert and we reserve the right NOT to finalize any recruitment as a result of this job advert.

Russian Speaking Online Travel Consultant Indian Ocean Specialist – Homeshoring Opportunity

Concierge-Hotels.com is an online travel agency offering Privilege Services and Hotels in Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, Réunion, Maldives, Madagascar & Sri Lanka.

We are hiring an Online Travel Consultant, russian speaking, specialized on Indian Ocean hotels and resorts, to handle with particular attention all pre-arrangements/bookings for guests’ stay, and work in close collaboration with hotels and partners.

• To do follow-up on confirmations and reservations with a view to maximize sales for Concierge-Hotels.com,
• To act as sales facilitator for Concierge-Hotels.com at all times,
• To be up to date on the airline regulations, current affairs and daily price market for Indian Ocean,
• To assist Concierge-Hotels.com in their sales effort in a proactive manner with the highest level of service, courtesy and professionalism,
• To assist clients on travel information such as visa and health formalities,
• To keep clients up to date and inform them about the trip,
• To attend to enquiries and reservations from customers; to prepare quotations as per standards in a timely manner and to liaise with all airlines to clear waitlists, update queries, firm-up reservations, etc.,
• To provide the best available fares in the Clients’ interest,
• To keep client profiles and be familiar with any special needs, requests and any frequent flyer rewards that have been accrued.
• To prepare weekly sales reports for Management,
• To process refund and do follow up accordingly,
• To be loyal and ethical to Concierge-Hotels.com as your employer,
• To attend to reservations duties such as hotel accommodations, transfers, handle travel insurance and car rentals for the clients and issue vouchers for the auxiliary services,
• To create and maintain a good working environment and encouraging team spirit amongst colleagues,
• To do online bookings for holidays packages using IT skills,
• To perform any other cognate duties as and when required by Management.

REQUIREMENTS:

Experience in reservations, OR

- MINIMUM Diploma in Tourism Management for those without experience,

- Above 4 years of experience,

- Fully conversant to word & excel and Synexis Sabre Hospitality solutions,

- Being in the tourism industry, candidates should have a flexible approach to their working hours and be able to work under pressure,

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Russian.

WORKING HOURS & LOCATIONS

Working hours go from 10am to 8pm Mauritius time (6am to 4pm GMT http://www.worldtimebuddy.com/gmt-to-ist-converter)

Work location is based in Mauritius Floreal or possibly in homeshoring.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Fixed salary based on experience + commissions on sales

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE Candidates are to apply on: buisdev@concierge-hotels.com

Reference to be quoted in email: TRAVELCONSULTRU AUG 2014 Unreferenced emails will NOT be considered.

All applications will be treated in strict confidentiality. Only selected candidates will be called for interview, others are thanked beforehand. We will NOT entertain ANY call regarding this job advert and we reserve the right NOT to finalize any recruitment as a result of this job advert.