Seychelles represented at 20th International Dive Show in Paris

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

Seychelles’ rich, unique and well preserved marine biodiversity, as well as the diverse and impressive diving opportunities around the islands, were showcased at France’s leading event dedicated to the world of sea lovers and divers.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Seychelles Tourism Board has taken part in the Paris International Dive Show [Salon de la Plongée] held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Air Seychelles was also present at the event.

The 20th edition of the international event dedicated to the scuba diving world was held from January 12 to 15, 2018.

Seychelles’ visibility as a ‘diver’s paradise’ was given an added boost at the event, thanks to the participation of Blue Sea Divers – a local dive center.

Blue Sea Divers had its own stand promoting its dive center located at Beau Vallon — one of the most popular tourist areas in the north of Mahé, as well as the services it offers including its ‘diving safari’ onboard its schooner, the MV Galatea, which offers diving cruise trips around the main Seychelles islands.

The annual Paris International Dive Show is considered to be the meeting place for passionate diving stakeholders, including diving professionals and amateurs.

Similar to previous editions, the 2018 show was also a huge success recording some 416 exhibitors and some 60,600 visitors coming from all over France, as well as from Belgium and Switzerland. The figures represent a 4 percent increase over last year.

The event is more than a dive show as it also offers conferences, book signing, exhibitions, the discovery of new products, opportunity to buy new equipment, the opportunity for visitors to have their first diving experience in a swimming pool accompanied by diving professionals among others. A photography and video competition organized for the 20th edition of the event also recorded an exceptional level of participation with 5,000 images and 55 films submitted.

For those planning their trips, the show also allowed them to discover destinations with great diving opportunities and to discuss their options with travel agents and dive professionals.

All of the excitements were widely captured by press organizations from all over Europe – including television and radio stations as well as magazines.

The Seychelles Tourism Board’s Director for Europe, Bernadette Willemin said: “Seychelles offers vast and impressive diving opportunities for both professional and amateur scuba divers throughout the year and the islands have several dive centers, hence it is imperative that we are constantly reminding the world of the rewarding experiences awaiting those who venture out to explore the abundant marine life that surrounds our granitic and coralline islands.”

Mrs. Willemin added that diving is a key market segment that the Seychelles tourism stakeholders are already targeting and will continue to emphasize on.

The dates for next year’s edition of the Paris International Dive Show has already been set – the event will be held from January 11 to 14, 2019.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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