SEYCHELLES PRESIDENT JAMES MICHEL VISITS INDIA
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James Michel, President of Republic of Seychelles gave a Press conference to Indian Press, reinforcing Indo-Seychelles bilateral relations and the need to pave the way for greater partnership to promote tourism between both countries. President Michel's press conference took place on the third day of his historic state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the Press conference, attended by Alain St. Ange, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Seychelles; Joel Morgan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, Srychelles; Roy Kinnear, Chief Executive Officer, Air Seychelles and Lubaina Sheerazi, COO, Blue Square Consultants, Representatives of Seychelles Tourism Board Office in India, President Michel hailed India’s unparalleled out bound tourism potential. He said both countries recognised the need to bring their economies closer, to drive more growth and create opportunities for entrepreneurs of both nations and wealth for its peoples.
Michel said India represents a dominant player in Seychelles' tourism industry, with recorded growth of Indian tourists by 125 per cent between Jan-July 2015 compared to the same period last year. He gave his commitment that the government of Seychelles will continue to strive to maintain the islands as an aspirational tourism destination.
“India is a close friend of Seychelles, there is great potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges between both countries. Seychelles’ relationship with India has been built on the foundation of mutual trust and shared values. Our strong, multifaceted and important relationship with India, occupies a very important place in our foreign policy. We have longstanding bilateral relations based on our commitment to sustainable development,” said Michel.
St. Ange and Morgan spoke about India’s emerging as a dominating player in Seychelles burgeoning tourism industry and outlined key development taking place between India and Seychelles in the field of foreign affairs and air connectivity. “Seychelles is all about once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It definitely makes for an exotic holiday destination and India has been a dominant player in Seychelles tourism. With increased and easy connectivity, visa on arrival and gratis for Indians Seychelles is a preferred and hassle-free destination. We welcome all our Indian friends to the islands to experience our beaches, coral reefs, diving, nature reserves, rainforest, and rare wildlife, and also thank them for their continued support,” St.Ange added.
Since the launch of Air Seychelles’ direct four weekly flights to Mumbai, air connectivity has improved significantly. Roy Kinnear announced an increase in flight frequencies on the Seychelles- Mumbai route. “Air Seychelles has established strong air links between Mumbai and Seychelles and built a solid foundation for the further growth of this route. In April 2015 we increased the number of frequencies from three to four per week, and further boosted connectivity in May 2015 by signing and expanding a codeshare agreement with Jet Airways to nine cities in India. This deal provides business and leisure travellers with convenient, one-stop connections to Seychelles from Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Cochin and Trivandrum. With a strong travel proposition and a professional support team in Mumbai, we are well-positioned to develop this service in the future,” he revealed.
Highlighting Seychelles as a must visit destination, Sheerazi said, “Seychelles breath-taking beaches is not a surprise any more. However what is unexplored is the diversity that the country offers in adventure, wellness, eco-tourism, island hopping or culture. Seychelles has it all making it a perfect holiday destination. Indians love the exclusivity and privacy that the islands offer and with better flight connectivity, we are hoping to make Seychelles a year round holiday destination.”