Seychelles delegation hones in on Asian market at Singapore trade show

“Asia is our target market for 2011, and we shall use every means we have to break into it.

“Asia is our target market for 2011, and we shall use every means we have to break into it. Seychelles is seen as the ‘it’ destination for Asia as a whole, and we need to be working alongside the tour operators to give support to all the travel agents who have been working on the promotion of our islands,” said Alain St.Ange after his arrival in Singapore yesterday.

The mid-ocean islands of the Seychelles will this year be participating at the Singapore ADEX Trade Fair. Alain St.Ange, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, will join Myrna Michel, the Board’s Director for Asia & Australasia, to jointly lead the Seychelles delegation at this important Dive Show for the Asian Market.

Seychelles prides itself as being the new holiday destination for the Asia Market. It is the โ€œitโ€ destination considered to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Itโ€™s splendor is legendary, and the Seychelles islands are synonymous with pure tropical beauty and world-beating beaches – a place of perpetual summer where temperatures range between 24 and 32 degrees Celsius; a sanctuary for exotic species of flora and fauna, which include some of the rarest specimens on the planet; and a place of great tranquility, serenity, and harmony.

In a world that is becoming less and less secure for travelers, Seychelles is also very safe, and for Asians NO VISAS are necessary and NO INJECTIONS are needed, as the islands are disease free. The mid-ocean islands of the Seychelles have a local Asian population from Chinese descent, and they today form part of the unique melting pot of the cultures and population of the Seychelles islands.

The Seychelles consist of 115 islands, many of which are as yet undeveloped and have slumbered undisturbed since the dawn of time. Each island has its own distinct topography, character, and history, and each has unique attributes and things to offer to the visitor. Many of what is called the “inner islands” are situated close to each other, and this makes island-hopping easy and allows the visitor to savor the unique delights of several different islands on one trip. The principal islands of Mahรฉ, Praslin, and La Digue are close enough to allow a visitor to spend a few days on each.

Seychelles remains a heaven for big game fishing enthusiasts and for divers wanting to explore beneath the big blue seas. The Seychelles untouched beauty gives it the unique attractive feel of “the ultimate” โ€“ for example, everyone enjoys a visit to an aquarium, and in Seychelles it is often said that just standing in the sea with a mask on and just putting your head under water is like a visit to an aquarium, because of the abundance of the underwater sea life.

Seychelles today boasts a wide choice of accommodation ranging from the luxury of 5-star resorts and the exclusivity of private island hideaways to the charm of typical small Creole hotels, picturesque guesthouses, and self-catering establishments. Here, there is something to accord with everyoneโ€™s taste and budget. All the good and known international branded hotel chains are today in Seychelles and offering quality accommodation to its visitors.

The Seychelles Creole cuisine is a reflection of the population that makes up the Seychellois people. It is one of the islandsโ€™ best-kept secrets and is something which is very popular with visitors. The origins of the racially-mixed Seychellois are also revealed in their cooking. From India comes many varieties of curry, from China comes popular rice dishes and stir-fried vegetables and noodles with steamed fish, and from France the aromatic blends of garlic and herbs. All these influences, mixed with a huge selection of seafood plucked out of the Indian Ocean and a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables, make eating out in Seychelles a culinary delight. Local delicacies include kari zourit (a creamy octopus curry) and tec tec soup (a small white shellfish collected from the beaches and made into a soup usually with pumpkin).

More than many island destinations, Seychelles is a place of great variety and diversity. In terms of activities there is sailing โ€“ perhaps the best way to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the islands; diving and snorkeling in the crystal, warm waters; many different types of fishing; walks and trails upon which to discover amazing flora and fauna; spa and wellness holidays to enjoy the very best in personal pampering; and island-hopping to enjoy the diversity of the islands and golf. Once again, Seychelles has something for everyone including casino and gambling pastimes, a favorite evening entertainment for so many, and shopping with a difference for the discerning traveler.

The Seychelles has also been growing their events-based tourism, and recently they staged Seychelles first “Carnaval International de Victoria” in early March 2011: 3 days of carnival extravaganza with a total of 80 floats, many international and local live music shows, and international food stalls. Later this year, from November 4-6, Seychelles will be hosting “SUBIOS โ€“ Seychelles Festival of the Sea,” which is sponsored by Asia Geographic Magazine. It will be a highly-animated event designed to celebrate the magnificent marine heritage of Seychelles. Seychelles also hosts the Festival Kreol, which is an annual celebration of Seychellois Creole culture; the Seychelles Regatta, which is a boat race around the islands; and the ECO-Healing Marathon, which allows participants to enjoy a memorable run against the backdrop of Seychelles amazing natural beauty.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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