TravTalk India Online Magazine
This year, Seychelles plans to replicate its last year’s success of the three-city roadshow, apart from conducting workshops in Tier-II cities.
TT Bureau
Seychelles Tourism Board is set to replicate the success of its 2017 roadshow that travelled to three cities in India. It was where it had introduced the new pre-fixed meetings format which saw the highest-ever participation of its private sector partners from Seychelles. Speaking about this is Sherin Francis, CEO, Seychelles Tourism Board, who says, “The roadshow allowed top agents to meet all partners in a quick pre-fixed meeting of 15 minutes each in a round-robin flow. This no- frills format focused on serious business generation and ensured that every agent invited could spend quality time with every partner from Seychelles.” This year will see the show travel to Kolkata, Pune and Bengaluru.
For 2018, the tourism board plans to conduct workshops with its key B2B partners in Raipur, Indore, Kochi, Coimbatore, Baroda, Surat and Rajkot. “We will also continue to meet and educate agents in major cities that will include Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata. We plan to support tour operators with incentive-based trainings to encourage bigger numbers to Seychelles,” Francis adds. Seychelles Tourism Boards recently hosted an appreciation evening in Mumbai to acknowledge high performers from the travel trade in association with Air Seychelles.
We plan to support tour operators with incentive-based trainings to encourage bigger numbers to Seychelles
India emerged as the seventh-largest source market for Seychelles with an arrival of 13,518 tourists from India in 2017 which indicated a 23 per cent growth compared to 2016. In 2018, the tourism board expects a similar percentage growth.
New hotel chains
Interestingly, with growing interest in Seychelles as an offbeat destination, many new hotel chains have invested in the islands. French group Club Med took over Beachcomber Seychelles Sainte Anne Resort & Spa to upgrade it to a five-star property and giving it additional 208 rooms. Four Seasons brought into operations a second property in Desroches Island after being a highly desired brand in the main island of Mahe. Constance Lemuria and Coco De Mer and Black Parrot suites in Praslin recently renovated their hotels to enhance their best features and room sizes.
The tourism is promoting Seychelles as a year-long tourist destination targeted across segments including families, adventure, celebrations, etc and not limited to honeymoons which are restricted to few months in a year. “We will continue to run campaigns throughout the year to promote Seychelles as an ideal long-weekend destination, ideal for small weddings and celebrations and small MiCE groups. We have seen positive results in terms of massive increase in tourist arrivals from India during non-honeymoon months as well, which is encouraging,” Francis adds.
