The possibility for Seychelles to attract a commercial Chinese airline is today feasible because of the high inflow of travelers from China.
The airline industry in China is more than ever conscious that the need for direct links to Seychelles is today on the cards of Chinese tourism operators. Seychelles has now found its place as one of the favorite holiday destinations for the Chinese holidaymakers seeking a new destination.
China Eastern Airline is one airline which the Seychelles delegation, who were on a working visit to China, met and with whom they discussed direct air access between the two countries. With a volume of over 86 million passengers and a 10% annual growth rate, China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. business model is one of the Chinese airlines that caught the eye of the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism as he was on his working visit in China. Seychelles, as a tourism destination, is always in search of reputable airline companies to work with them into considering nonstop direct flights to the islands.
China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. is ranked as one of three national airlines in Asia performing exceptionally well. On an official mission in China, accompanied by trade partners, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, accompanied by Philippe Le Gall, the Seychelles Ambassador in China, and Sherin Naiken, the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, met with Liu Hao, the Deputy Managing Director of China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. based in Shanghai, to express the Seychelles’ wish for the airline to fly to Seychelles.
Minister St.Ange said Seychelles is willing to open all doors of negotiations with China Eastern Airlines for non-stop direct flights to Seychelles.
“The time is right to look at Seychelles with an eye on Africa, where today China’s influence is growing,” he said.
China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. said presently it is not flying into Africa. All passengers flying on China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. and going to Africa transit through the Dubai hub. The company, however, explained to the Seychelles delegation that a study will be carried out to evaluate the potential of the Seychelles market based on the increase of Chinese holidaymakers now looking at Seychelles for their holidays, and if it is today feasible for China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. to tap into this new emerging market.
“Seychelles is a hub in the Indian Ocean and a heaven for tourists, especially high-end visitors. We’re keeping a close eye on the development of this market,” Minister St.Ange said.
Minister St.Ange said Seychelles can become a gateway for African countries.
“While China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. is today not looking to Africa, you can help consolidate the Chinese influence in Africa by using Seychelles as the gateway to Africa,” Minister St.Ange said.
Seychelles invited the China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. to come to Seychelles to get a better insight of the destination.
Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .
