Seychelles tourism strategy paying off

Derek Savy, the local feature writer for the Today newspaper in Seychelles has retaken the list by Lonely Planet Guide.

Derek Savy writes: The Lonely Planet guide has published its bucket list of the best places to visit in 2014. This list, which reads like the “who’s who” of destinations that are most likely to be in vogue for the coming year, highlights the best of the best of travel – countries and cities that are a “must” to visit – from the best budget spots, the best family spots… everything. And newswires are abuzz as it becomes almost an obsession!

Seychelles has been shortlisted in the “Best Countries for 2014” category along with Sweden, Mexico, Malawi, Scotland, Brazil, Macedonia, Belgium, and Malaysia. And “Why you should go?” Well, Lonely Planet seems to have figured it out: “Long known as a spot for more well-off travelers, now more economical options are popping up, thanks to more airline competition and budget-friendly hotels. Believe the hype: the Seychelles’ 115 islands are awesome.”

These 115 divine islands strewn across the peacock-blue Indian Ocean have all the key ingredients for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, but their reputation as a millionaire’s playground may have kept you away. Good news: on top of exclusive island hideaways and elegant eco-villas, you can benefit from the wallet-friendlier B&Bs, picturesque Creole guesthouses, and self-catering apartments that have sprung up over the past decade. And if expensive air tickets deterred you from visiting, rejoice! Increased competition has dramatically changed the situation over the past few years. And there’s much more to do than sipping cocktails on the beach. Hiking, diving, snorkeling, boat tours, and other adventure options are all readily available, with the added appeal of grandiose scenery. Wildlife lovers will get a buzz, too – the Seychelles is not dubbed “The Galapagos of the Indian Ocean” for nothing.

This accolade surely crowns the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in its quest to make the Seychelles a more affordable destination. A proud Minister Alain St.Ange beamed: “This latest distinction is proof that Seychelles is on the right track, and the future of our tourism industry is promising. As more and more Seychellois take ownership of this industry with new homegrown hotel establishments, we are constantly looking at ways to increase our visibility, encouraging more airlines to service the destination and making it more accessible and affordable to a wider public. This is very much in line with our growth strategy as we see year-on-year, double-digit increases in arrival figures. I take this opportunity to thank everyone involved as our concerted efforts are indeed paying off.”

Other categories include “Best Cities for 2014” of which the likes of Auckland, Zurich, Vancouver, Shanghai, Adelaide, Riga, Chicago, Trinidad (Cuba), and Paris are short listed. In the “Best Destinations for 2014” category, the likes of Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Portugal, Nicaragua, Greek Islands, Italy’s heel, and Palawan (Philippines) made the final cut.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/lonely-planets-best-in-travel-2014-top-10-countries#ixzz2jG1KSrET