LuxuryLive: Airtours Discovery Mauritius
From zero to sunshine in just eleven hours! This year’s Airtours Discovery fam trip beamed 40 handpicked Business Club agencies straight to beautiful Mauritius – one of the luxury tour operator’s top three winter escapes. Their home base? The legendary Shangri-La Le Touessrok, a timeless island icon and longtime Airtours hotel partner. On the agenda: endless sunshine (with a dash of "liquid sunshine"), inspiring conversations, and a whole lot of luxury vibes.
As experienced by Melanie Haass, Director of Business Development LuxuryWise
Airtours knows how to make a heartfelt welcome come to life – quite literally, in the shape of a heart. Under the swaying palms, it’s all smiles – cheerful reunions, new friendships blooming, and that unmistakable island magic in the air.
Frédéric de Marcy Chelin, (General Manager Shangri-La Le Touessrok), Kim-Sarah Groneberg (Director of Global Sales Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts) and Steffen Boehnke (Director Airtours) greeting guests in the resort’s lush gardens.
Shangri-La set the tone right away with the first of many generous gifts – and it didn’t take long to realize: this trip wasn’t for light packers. By the end, locks were begging for mercy and the luggage scale had better be feeling kind.
The evening kicks off at Constance Prince Maurice, a scenic 30-minute drive away. Dinner takes place on floating pontoons at Le Barachois – fine dining with a gentle ocean rhythm. Luckily, everyone’s steady on their sea legs. Only the transfers between hotels in the days ahead might challenge a few sensitive travelers more than any wave beneath the table…
Before indulgence comes duty: the site inspection. This one even includes a built-in quiz – because who doesn’t love a little competition? One stop leads into the resort’s jaw-dropping wine cellar, home to more than 25,000 bottles. And surprise, surprise: that coveted rosé isn’t a fancy import from France or South Africa but a proud local creation. Santé to that!
No medals here, just fragrances: Sibylle Georgi (World of TUI Berlin) and Bianca Loconte (TUI ReiseCenter Berlin, left) take top honors at the spa quiz – rewarded with well-stocked goodie bags. A dash of luxury to slip into the suitcase, and one more reason for that inevitable "slightly overweight" moment at check-in. But who’s worrying about luggage limits when paradise smells this good?
After a night of storybook sleep – at least for those who didn’t opt for an individual pre-fam – the freshly revamped Coco’s Beach House at Shangri-La Le Touessrok steals the show as the new breakfast favorite. Boho chic, turquoise waves, and white-sand dreams – the kind of setting where even the coffee seems to flirt a little.
After a night of storybook sleep – at least for those who didn’t opt for an individual pre-fam – the freshly revamped Coco’s Beach House at Shangri-La Le Touessrok steals the show as the new breakfast favorite. Boho chic, turquoise waves, and white-sand dreams – the kind of setting where even the coffee seems to flirt a little.
Even paradise calls for a touch of business: just flown in from Hanover come the latest updates and product news around TUI’s luxury brand – including the new Airtours group journeys, presented by Steffen Boehnke.
Beate Arnold pulls a few tricks from her (sun)hat, sharing clever insights on selling and consulting for Airtours Private Travel – and can’t help but rave about top dream destinations like Japan, New Zealand, and Tanzania.
Kim, meanwhile, clearly enjoys presenting updates from her long-standing employer, the family-run Shangri-La Group. That is, btw, fit for its future: the founder’s daughter has just taken the helm as CEO – steering the brand with fresh energy.
Next stop: site inspection at the Shangri-La. Even the kids’ paradise turns into a style moment here – with irresistibly cute gifts for the littlest guests. Marc-André Donner (TUI Reisecenter Cloppenburg) clearly can’t resist a quick fitting.
After a short boat ride to the hotel’s private island, Ilot Mangénie, guests are greeted by guitar melodies and Creole rhythms drifting through the palm trees – a soundtrack of pure island bliss and easy-going beach vibes at their finest.
Katrin Prenz (TUI Reisecenter Bayreuth) and Andrea Speth (TUI Reisecenter Dachau) raise their glasses of bubbles to toast the first full day together – because in paradise, every morning deserves a little sparkle.
Souvenir deluxe, exclusively for the Airtours Discovery group: The agents get to create their own rum blend, seal the bottles, and let them mature until Christmas. Perfect for loved ones back home – or as a personal tropical flashback in liquid form.
Future son-in-law, anyone? Jason Espitalier Noel from the Le Touessrok sales team wins hearts – those blue eyes and that disarming smile have more than one participating mother quietly plotting introductions for her single daughter.
"It’s my first time in Mauritius and my first trip with Airtours. At my previous office, we focused more on classic tourism, but now in Vienna we cater to a high-end clientele and work closely with Airtours. That’s why I was especially excited to see the destination and the hotels we regularly sell." Nicole Kunz, Travel Advisor Mondial GmbH & Cok. KG · Vienna
The evening agenda features – what else – a site inspection at the legendary Royal Palm Beachcomber. Afterwards, a lavish buffet dinner awaits: due to a touch of "liquid sunshine," not on the beach as planned, but elegantly moved to the covered beach pavilion.
Traditional Sega dancers fill the night with rhythm and flair, soon joined by guests who take over the dance floor with equal enthusiasm. Photos are scarce – the moody lighting wasn’t exactly camera-friendly – but the memories shine all the brighter.
A new day begins in the best of moods: lucky ones find themselves at Ibrahim’s disco bus, hands in the air to a catchy Mauritian tune – led with full enthusiasm by Silvia Adams from Condor.
The first stop of the day is the sugarcane farm L’Aventure du Sucre. After tasting different types of pure sugar and sampling a sweet morning rum, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get hands-on.
Nicole Kunz (Mondial, Vienna) doesn’t need to be asked twice – she jumps right in and mixes herself a (very proper!) sugarcane rum drink. Cheers to that!
Hands-on moment, too, for powerhouse and Airtours Head of Sales Ines Stensbeck, who takes the machete challenge and tries her hand at cutting sugarcane.
"I am very grateful for this incredible trip to such a dream destination! The Airtours team and the hoteliers were fantastic, and both the island and the hotels truly showed their best sides. Every day was different, perfectly organized, and one highlight followed the next." Josef Coban, Managing Director, TUI TravelStar Reiseagentur Wittenstein · Guetersloh
Next stop: The Oberoi Beach Resort. Alongside the site inspection, there’s also a BBQ and buffet lunch on the agenda – no one’s leaving this one hungry.
A violinist works her magic, turning lunch into a concert and every smile into applause. Her music drifts through the open pavilion, giving the moment that touch of grace.
Then it’s time to split into groups for a glass-bottom boat ride – the sea shimmering below, the horizon wide and bright. One lucky team even spots a playful group of dolphins!
Rum tasting brings a burst of flavor: from spicy (Orange Chili) to sweet (Pineapple Honey) and even a wake-up call in the form of Orange Coffee.
And for anyone needing to restore their balance afterward, gentle Tai Chi moves do the trick – perfect against food coma or the lightest hint of rum haze.
The day ends on a high note at LUX Grand Baie – the perfect finale to an intense yet inspiring day. Here, the Airtours Discovery agents meet pure LUX energy: warm-hearted sales pros and a dazzling food festival bringing together flavors and culinary talent from all the brand’s island resorts.
The day ends on a high note at LUX Grand Baie – the perfect finale to an intense yet inspiring day. Here, the Airtours Discovery agents meet pure LUX energy: warm-hearted sales pros and a dazzling food festival bringing together flavors and culinary talent from all the brand’s island resorts.
The rooftop bar Bisou at LUX Grand Baie is the photo hotspot of the island – and Marinello Calvi (Reisebüro am Rathausmarkt) and Ulrike Worndle (Reisebüro Seiseralm KG) don’t want to miss their chance for a photo session.
The ever-upbeat Discovery agents once again show off their photogenic side on the tropical rooftop terrace – a lively display of charm, style, and lots of laughters that proves how easily fun and finesse can go hand in hand.
Meanwhile, Miklos Pusztai (Mini City Tours Kft., Budapest) enjoys the perfect setting with his charming "ladies’ frame" portrait – at the shimmering pool of LUX Grand Baie and with the glittering bay as the backdrop.
"As always, the Airtours team runs everything like clockwork – even if there’s a bit of behind-the-scenes hustle, you’d never notice. They manage to create something new and special every single time. After seeing it all firsthand, every hotel comes highly recommended." Heike Schiller, Owner Reisebüro Schiller · Weinstadt-Endersbach
The next – and sadly last – shared day begins with a split: some head off to a coffee-tasting session, while the more active ones set out for a hike.
Equipped with hats and hiking sticks, Fabian Karl (Travel and More Reiseagentur Rautling) and Nicole Kunz tackle the climb with high spirits and plenty of energy.
Claudia Janner-Moser, Sales & Marketing Director for Airtours in Austria and CEE, can already hear the waterfall roaring in the distance – and her smile says it all.
Josef Coban makes it to the top first – striking a spontaneous pose at the highest point of the 100-meter (328 ft.) waterfall.
No worries, Steffen didn’t skip the climb – he adds his own twist with a clever perspective, creating the perfect final waterfall shot.
The journey continues to St. Regis Le Morne Resort, where the group and the entire hotel staff are greeted by furry local regular Pablo the monkey.
The St. Regis team pulls out all the stops for one last round of barefoot beach bliss along the island’s dazzling west coast.
Entertainment unfolds against the postcard backdrop of Le Morne – turquoise waves, swaying palms, and it feels as if paradise itself is calling.
A boat trip keeps the laughter rolling – especially once everyone’s in high spirits and the captain decides it’s time to show off his boat power.
Nicole, Fabian and Nathalie Körner (TUI Travelstar Reisebüro C. Schmidt Munich) take the spin board for a twirl. If you’ve got it, flaunt it!
And Barbara Anzenberger (TUI Das Reisebüro Wien) doesn’t need much convincing from the resident magician – a flash of cards, a flick of the wrist, and wide-eyed wonder all around.
"I first came to Mauritius 20 years ago and was last here just this April – but this was my very first Airtours trip. My highlight? The people – the wonderful Airtours crew and the hotel staff – as well as the way the journey was composed: perfectly organized and tailored just for us, detailed without ever feeling packed. I fell in love with the Shangri-La… and I’ll simply have to come back." Miklos Pusztai, Co-Owner Mini-City Utazási Iroda · Budapest, Hungary
The farewell evening belongs to the host hotel, Shangri-La Le Touessrok – sweet memories included, quite literally.
The grand finale of Airtours Discovery Fam Trip 2025 is celebrated with a White Night on the resort’s white-sand beach.
Traditional Sega dancers open the dance floor, until all guests join in for one last dance under the stars and wish the night would never end.