The Minister
The Hon Christian Harold Richard DUVAL
Minister of Tourism
Richard Duval brings a unique perspective that combines political experience with diverse professional expertise. Born in 1968 in the south of Mauritius, he is the son of the late Sir Gaëtan Duval, through whom he gained early exposure to the tourism sector by attending meetings with hotel directors and industry leaders.
His vision for Mauritian tourism aligns closely with the UNWTO's principles of inclusive growth, emphasizing that tourism benefits should reach all levels of Mauritian society. He advocates for a model that extends economic opportunities beyond traditional hospitality sectors, enabling local communities to participate meaningfully in the tourism value chain. This includes supporting small entrepreneurs, artisans, and cultural practitioners in integrating their offerings into the tourism ecosystem, ensuring that the industry's economic benefits spill over into local communities.
Richard Duval has developed valuable expertise across various sectors. His professional journey began in France, where he trained at the prestigious École Robert Collet to become a professional horse trainer. This international experience was followed by years as a stable owner, during which he honed his business management and operational skills.
He also worked for Australia Post and Bramber Security. Later, as a private-sector entrepreneur, he maintained modest business interests alongside his public service career, investing in select real estate developments and small commercial ventures.
In the corporate sector, Duval demonstrated his business acumen as an Executive Consultant at Rehm Grinaker Construction Co. Ltd from 2003 to 2005.
His political career gained momentum when he was elected as the first member of Constituency No. 12 in 2005. He subsequently served as Private Parliamentary Secretary until 2010.
From 2019 to 2024, Duval served as a Member of Parliament, actively contributing to two key parliamentary committees: the House Committee and the Gender Caucus. His commitment to regional development is further reflected in his role as a member of the Pan-African Parliament since 2019, where he focuses on the tourism and education sectors.
In the November 2024 legislative elections, Richard Duval was elected under the Alliance du Changement banner in Constituency No. 17 (Curepipe-Midlands).
As Minister of Tourism, he is dedicated to implementing policies that ensure tourism's economic benefits are widely distributed, fostering sustainable livelihoods across Mauritius.
