Roughly 80,000-90,000 Chinese tourists annually have paid visits to Mauritius in recent years, according to the country's tourism authority. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Mauritius is looking to expand tourism cooperation with China and attract more Chinese tourists.

The Mauritius tourism authority paid a visit to Shanghai on Feb 15.The delegation met Chinese travel operators to better understand the Chinese market and introduced local tourism resources to attract more mainlanders to "the pearl on the Indian Ocean".

"This year marks the 45th anniversary since establishment of diplomatic ties between Mauritius and China, and the two countries have always maintained good relations over the years," says Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, head of the Mauritius tourism authority.

"Although China's economy witnesses slowing growth, we remain fully confident in the Chinese market," Gayan says.