The agency won the account following a competitive pitch. It will focus on increasing UK visitor figures and sales to the island. The agency will aim to promote Mauritius as one of the hottest destinations for the UK public when choosing their one long-haul holiday per year.

The agency replaces incumbent PR shop BGB Communications.

Hills Balfour has also appointed Susie Tempest as head of PR. She takes over from Jonathan Sloan, who has been promoted to the position of managing director. Founder Amanda Hills has become the agency's new CEO.

Prior to joining Hills Balfour Synergy, Tempest spent six years at travel and tourism PR consultancy, The Saltmarsh Partnership, where she was a board director. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the 11-strong PR team and its numerous accounts, which include the tourist boards for New York City, Las Vegas, Egypt, Malaysia, and Queensland.

Tempest will also help to maximise Hills Balfour Synergy's digital media strategy and new business drive.