Seychelles records 81% growth from India market

Strengthens Indian travel trade connect with 3-city roadshow, witnessing participation of over 310 travel professionals across the three cities.

Tourism Seychelles has concluded its annual three-city roadshow across Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai. The roadshow brought together 14 key partners, including Air Seychelles and IndiGo Airlines; hotels such as Avani+ Barbarons Seychelles, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, Club Med Seychelles, Eden Bleu Hotel, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, and Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa. Also in attendance were the Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism Association (SHTA) and destination management companies (DMCs) including 7° South Ltd, Creole Travel Services, Holidays Seychelles, Luxury Travel Seychelles, and Mason’s Travel.

The events saw the participation of over 310 travel professionals across the three cities. Each location featured a comprehensive destination presentation, aimed at sharing the latest product updates and tools to help position Seychelles as “another world” for Indian travellers.

Speaking exclusively to T3, Bernadette Willemin, Director General for Destination Marketing at Tourism Seychelles, shared, “The fact that we are now being serviced by IndiGo, which is the game changer, India has taken a place in the top 10. We're seeing significant progress in terms of tourism arrivals. We are recording an 81% increase compared to last year with regards to the India market. And we are optimistic that we will be able to get nearer the pre-COVID numbers by the end of December.”

She further added, “Now everybody is very much aligned to push the business, both in terms of travel trade, our B2B marketing and promotions, but also enticing the end users in different market segments: not only honeymooners or weddings, but also MICE, business, family business, special interest business, getting a bigger share of the market, all pushing towards the same direction to be able to achieve our year-end objectives.”

However, she noted that connectivity remains a challenge. “We have managed to surpass a big part of this problem now, because we have IndiGo. Our objective together with the partner is to ensure that we make this route profitable. Once this route is profitable, then we will all be looking at moving it to another level, to another height.”

When asked about the average spend per visitor, she shared a figure of about USD 2,780 per visitor during their stay in Seychelles, with an average length of stay of about nine nights. For Indian travellers, the average stay is 5 to 6 nights.

On the importance of travel trade, she explained, “Seychelles is a product which is very much sold through the distribution channels, and it is important for them to be well-versed with the Seychelles product in all its variety and diversity. One thing which sets us apart compared to others is the island-hopping experiences. And to be able to sell island-hopping experiences, you need to know where to start, where to finish, and how to get from one place to another. This is where the education part comes in. For us, trainings and education are not only limited to roadshows. We also encourage and organise in-destination experiences for travel trade professionals so they can better convey the experiences to their clients.”

On the MICE and wedding segments, she said that Seychelles boasts of modern technology infrastructure capable of receiving MICE business. “But of course, we are not looking at mega-sized groups or weddings, but we can well handle up to 300 - 400. But there is always a possibility. Let's say tomorrow somebody has 500 pax query, there is always a possibility. I would always advise professionals to come forward and ask.”