Arabian Travel Market sees Seychelles strengthen its presence

The Seychelles Tourism Board has strengthened its presence this year at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with an increased number of trade partners from the destination in addition to the presence of L

The Seychelles Tourism Board has strengthened its presence this year at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with an increased number of trade partners from the destination in addition to the presence of La Reunion Island Tourism (IRT) this year under the new joint cooperation with Seychelles Tourism Board. The number of Seychelles private sector working with the Tourism Board to increase the business from the Middle East is growing, and through their participation at the ATM Tourism Trade Fair, they are showing the three Middle East carriers (Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar) of their support.

โ€œWe are delighted with the overwhelming interest in the destination on our stand this year. The Seychelles has achieved significant growth from the Middle East market in 2011 receiving over 12,800 visitors from the region, a 57 percent increase from the UAE market and 24 percent from the remaining Middle East markets. In 2012 year-to-date, we are seeing growth percentages of 31 percent from the UAE and 46 percent from the remaining Middle East countries,โ€ advised Elsia Grandcourt, CEO of Seychelles Tourism Board.

This year the Seychelles trade partners have seen an overwhelming increase in interest for the destination from industry partners from the region.

Extensive media interviews have been carried out with radio channels, TV, and media during the show to increase visibility of the destination in addition to strategic meetings with key wholesale and airline partners.

โ€œIn addition, this year we have used the opportunity of our presence at ATM to highlight the Routes Africa conference, which will be held in Seychelles from July 8-10. In connection with this, we have met with the Routes team at the show and also with our counterparts in the other African destinations. We are delighted with the interest and commitment to the Routes Africa conference,โ€ Elsia Grandcourt, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board said.

La Reunion island also experienced significant interest and media attention during the show. โ€œWe are encouraged by the interest received on La Reunion island in our first yearโ€™s attendance at the Arabian Travel Market. We have seized the opportunity this year under our joint cooperation with the Seychelles Tourism Board to increase awareness of the complementary attributes that La Reunion island has to offer alongside Seychelles,โ€ said Pascal Viroleau, Director, La Reunion Island Tourism (IRT).

Representing the Seychelles business community, ready and willing to receive business from the Middle East and who traveled with the Tourism Board to make the Seychelles presence at the Arabian Travel Market possible are seven exhibitors: Irina Udwadia of 7 degrees South , [email protected] , Tinaz Wadia and Crystal Abrams of Banyan Tree Seychelles [email protected] and [email protected] , Johnette Labiche of Berjaya Hotels and Resort Seychelles [email protected] , Evgenia Boyankova of Coral Strands Smart Choice [email protected] , Michael Bell of Hilton Seychelles [email protected] and Eddie dโ€™Offay and Jessica Giroux of Mason’s Travel [email protected], and [email protected].

Participants from Reunion island included Pascal Viroleau [email protected] , Stephan Ulliac [email protected] , and Azeddine Bouali [email protected] .

PHOTO: Irina Udwadia, Managing Director, 7หš South; Elsia Grandcourt, CEO Seychelles Tourism Board; Banyan Tree Seychelles, Tinaz Wadia, Director of Sales & Crystal Abrams, Assistant Manager Sales, Berjaya Hotels and Resorts Seychelles; Johnette Labiche, Area Director, Sales & Marketing; Evgenia Boyankova, Director of Sales & Marketing, Coral Strand Smart Choice; Michael Bell, Cluster Director of Sales for Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa and Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa; Masonโ€™s Travel, Eddie dโ€™ Offay, General Manager & Jessica Giroux, Sales Manager; Reunion Island Tourism Board, Pascal Viroleau, Director, Stephane Ulliac, Market Manager & Azzedine Bouali, Member

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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