Mauritius promotes Indian heritage at Aapravasi Ghat and new visitor services
Mauritius is emphasizing its Indian migration heritage at Aapravasi Ghat, introducing guided group visits, archive enquiries and a UPI payment link for Indian tourists. The initiatives are already active and target Indian visitors and families tracing ancestors.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Guided tours now require advance booking for groups up to twenty people
- Timing
- The guided‑tour service is available immediately
- Who is affected
- Indian tourists and descendants of Indian indentured workers
The details
Heritage interpretation at Aapravasi Ghat
Aapravasi Ghat, the historic immigration depot in Port Louis, now offers a guided heritage trail that includes Immigration Square, the fourteen steps and remaining kitchen and hospital structures. The trail is managed by the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund and aims to show visitors how the site functioned as a working town for Indian indentured labourers.
- Groups may request a guided visit and must book ahead
- Each guided session can accommodate up to twenty participants
Archive access for family researchers
The Mahatma Gandhi Institute holds about 2,055 registers covering roughly 454,000 Indian indentured immigrants who arrived between 1842 and 1910. Families can search for ancestors by name and immigrant number, using birth, marriage, death or property documents to support their enquiry. Requests can be sent by email or post before travelling.
- Provide the ancestor’s name and immigrant number when contacting the Institute
- Include supporting documents such as birth certificates of the first generation born in Mauritius
Payment convenience for Indian visitors
Since February 2024 Mauritius and India have offered a UPI QR payment link that allows Indian customers to pay at participating merchants. The service depends on banks and shops that have adopted the system, giving Indian travellers an additional familiar payment option while on the island.
- Check with hotels or retailers whether they accept UPI QR transactions
- Carry an alternative payment method in case a merchant does not support UPI
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Visitors planning a heritage tour should book guided groups in advance to secure a slot
- Families tracing ancestors can schedule archive enquiries before arrival to maximise time on site
- Travel agents can combine resort stays with heritage visits using the new guided‑tour service
Cost and documents
- No additional fee is mentioned for the guided tours, but groups must provide booking details
- Archive enquiries require the ancestor’s name and immigrant number, plus any supporting civil‑record documents
- UPI payments are optional; travellers should still arrange conventional payment methods
What you need to do
- Book guided group visits through the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund ahead of travel
- Send archive enquiry emails or post to the Mahatma Gandhi Institute with required details
- Verify UPI acceptance at planned merchants and keep backup payment options
Who this affects
-
Indian tourists visiting Mauritius
They are the primary audience for the heritage promotion and UPI payment link
What to do Book guided tours, prepare archive enquiry documents and check UPI acceptance
-
Descendants of Indian indentured workers
They may use the Mahatma Gandhi Institute archives to locate ancestors
What to do Gather name, immigrant number and supporting civil documents before contacting the Institute
-
Travel agents arranging Mauritius itineraries
They can incorporate the new guided‑tour service and heritage sites into packages
What to do Include advance booking for groups and advise clients on payment options
Frequently asked questions
How can I book a guided group visit to Aapravasi Ghat?
Guided group visits are booked directly with the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund. Groups of up to twenty people must request a slot in advance, and the tour will follow the heritage trail that includes Immigration Square and the historic steps.
What records are available at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for family research?
The Institute holds about 2,055 registers documenting roughly 454,000 Indian indentured immigrants from 1842‑1910, plus photographs, marriage and death records. Researchers should provide the ancestor’s name and immigrant number, and can also submit birth, marriage or property documents to aid the search.
Can I pay with UPI in Mauritius?
Yes, a UPI QR payment link launched in February 2024 lets Indian customers pay at participating merchants. Acceptance depends on individual banks and shops, so travellers should confirm before relying on it and keep an alternative payment method.
Is there a fee for the guided heritage tour at Aapravasi Ghat?
The source does not mention a specific fee for the guided tours; the requirement is to book ahead for groups up to twenty people. Travellers should check with the Trust Fund for any cost details before confirming a reservation.
What should I bring when contacting the archive for an ancestor search?
Provide the ancestor’s full name and immigrant number, and include any supporting civil‑record documents such as the first‑generation birth certificate, marriage or death certificates, or property deeds to help the Institute locate the correct record.
