Seychelles Tourism Board eyes India, Russia, UAE as Europe stays sealed

Francis said the Seychelles are now coming up with The Creole Rendezvous as a promotional theme. (Salifa Karapetyan, Seychelles News Agency

Photo license

((Seychelles news agency) – The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) is promoting the island destination in Israel, India, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and certain Eastern European countries as restrictions continue to hinder travel between the Seychelles and the traditional core markets.

This will happen when the Seychelles reopen their borders to visitors from all countries except South Africa on Thursday in order to get the tourism industry, its most important economic factor, going again.

STB General Manager Sherin Francis spoke during the Board of Directors’ virtual strategic marketing meeting for 2021, which began Wednesday. She explained, “We realized that there must be some demand in these markets.”

“In the short term, it was important that we compile a list of the so-called ‘go-to-markets’ where we know we can get a faster return on investment by investing in those markets, provided we have good flight connections and leave the travel restrictions to.” Travel corridors have been set up in these markets, and visitors do not need to be quarantined on arrival in the Seychelles or when returning to these countries, “said Francis.

She explained that Seychelles’ traditional markets – UK, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany – are still in high demand, but “all six conditions must be met for these markets to be on our go-to list” stand.”

“Right now there are still restrictions in these markets. If anything relaxes at some point, demand will likely turn into bookings and actual travel,” she said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourist numbers have dropped 90 percent, resulting in a corresponding drop in profits and sales. Tourism Minister Sylvestre Radegonde said “to do nothing would commit economic suicide”.

“It is for this reason that the government has decided to introduce a new policy that will facilitate the arrival of visitors to the Seychelles and that will come into effect on March 25. It is a risk we must take, but one that is calculated, brave and The decision was not made in isolation, but in consultation with all stakeholders in the industry, “said Radegonde.

Luxury and high-quality leisure, weddings and honeymoons, family and MICE – meetings, incentives, congresses and exhibitions – are the most important target segments. Nature, safety, culture and heritage will be the main marketing tools to attract more tourists.

“We’re coming up with ‘The Creole Rendezvous’ as a theme. We’ll also put a lot of emphasis on green tourists as we are one of the last nature reserves in the world. Visitors are home and have long been closed. Many are looking for experiences. What differentiates us from other island destinations different is, among other things, our culture, our food and the people, “said Francis.

This is in line with the ministry’s strategy to bring tourism to the community.

“We want the people in the community and the districts to participate. There will be no more tourists coming to the Seychelles just for its beautiful beaches and blue waters. There are other things that a tourist sees after landing have to spend in the Seychelles. ” continued Francis.

She added that indicators from online analytics sources such as airline and hotel bookings show that Seychelles tourism will pick up and that “as the trend was before, you don’t need three to six months to pick up bookings. Bookings are picked up. ” up to 48 hours form an announcement. “

During the meeting, which is expected to last until March 31, STB will discuss how the Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, should be promoted internationally in order to attract more tourists with their local and international partners through Zoom conferences.