Latest news with #TourismSeychelles
Trade Arabia
6 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Interview: Seychelles embraces eco-luxury and cultural discovery
As one of the world's most alluring island destinations, Seychelles continues to captivate with its unspoilt beauty, rich biodiversity and refined hospitality. But beyond its postcard-perfect shores, the archipelago is evolving to meet the growing appetite for responsible, experience-driven travel. 'Seychelles has long been seen as a luxury destination, particularly in this region,' says Shireen Francis, Principal Secretary for Tourism Seychelles. 'But it's a luxury that comes with a conscience. Conservation remains at the heart of everything we do.' That ethos of sustainability is far from lip service. The island nation has embedded environmental protection into its tourism framework from the outset. 'Without our environment, without our natural assets, we wouldn't have a tourism industry. So, we've made sure everything is developed in a delicate, balanced way,' Francis explains in an interview with TTN's Jayne Houghton. Tourism Seychelles has gone a step further with a national recognition programme that celebrates operators prioritising sustainable practices, aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards. 'We recently introduced a Platinum Award for those who truly excel. The first recipient was Constance Ephelia, who's been on this journey for over a decade. For them, sustainability is no longer just a practice, it's part of their culture.' With GCC travellers increasingly seeking meaningful escapes, Seychelles is ideally positioned, geographically and experientially. 'We're just four hours from the Gulf. That's a huge advantage,' says Francis. 'It's perfect for long weekends or short breaks, and we're very well connected through carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad.' This air connectivity has bolstered Seychelles' appeal in the region, and the destination is seeing a diversification of travellers; from the traditional honeymooners to families, corporate groups and solo adventurers. 'While romance remains a strong segment for us, we're definitely seeing growth in multi-generational travel and friend groups,' she notes. 'Our resorts are responding with more family-friendly facilities, interconnected rooms and tailored activities.' More recently, the country has been leaning into immersive, culturally-rooted experiences. 'We want visitors to see more than just the beaches,' Francis says. 'We're promoting cultural and community-based tourism, wellness, and sporting events that reflect the richness of our islands.' This year, Seychelles hosted the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup—the first time the event has taken place in Africa. 'It's a proud moment for us,' says Francis. 'And in July, we'll launch the Seychelles Sailing Challenge, where participants explore six islands in seven days. It's a mix of adventure, discovery and friendly competition.' Nature lovers, too, are being catered to with events like the Seychelles Nature Trail Challenge, designed for hikers eager to explore the archipelago's lush interiors. 'It's part of our broader shift toward wellness and outdoor activity, which is what many GCC travellers are looking for.' On the marketing front, Tourism Seychelles has embraced digital transformation wholeheartedly. 'Given our size, we have to be smart with our resources,' says Francis. 'Digital platforms allow us to be far more targeted and cost-effective. We're running virtual training programmes for the trade, webinars, and digital campaigns in partnership with media and airlines.' Strategic alliances remain central to the board's approach, with renewed MoUs — like the one signed with Emirates at ATM — helping extend reach and visibility. 'We believe in working together. With limited budgets, partnerships give us double the impact. Whether it's with airlines, media or tour operators, collaboration always brings better results.' Despite the surge in direct bookings and AI-driven planning, the human touch is far from obsolete, especially in this region. 'Trade remains an integral part of the customer journey, particularly for high-net-worth travellers,' Francis points out. 'They may research online, but they still prefer that concierge-style service. That's where the trade comes in — and why shows like ATM remain so important for us.' In a travel landscape that's ever-evolving, Seychelles is striking a rare balance: remaining true to its roots while adapting to the needs of today's traveller. For GCC visitors, it's a destination that offers both luxury and authenticity — wrapped in a warm tropical breeze, just a short flight away.
Malay Mail
27-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Tourism Seychelles Shares Ideas for Singapore's June Holidays — Visit Majestic Morne Blanc Trail and many other attractions
Morne Blanc Botanical Garden SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 May 2025 - The month-long June school holidays are ahead in the weeks ahead. Feeling the usual 'have-been-going-back-to-the same destination's dread. There is a great idea for the whole family – head over to off the press is a great tourist attraction re-opened recently – the beautiful and majestic! This is a 905-meter climb to the highest peak in Seychelles – great for fitness enthusiasts looking for a hiking experience for the away in the heart of Mahé, Seychelles' largest island, this trail is a true hidden treasure for adventure seekers. This captivating hike takes visitors through lush tropical greenery, leading to breathtaking viewpoints of incredible lagoons and amazing forests. With every step, one will ascend into the clouds, escaping the island heat and immersing into nature's the list of one of the Tourism Seychelles' many jewels, the trail reflects the island's commitment to conservation and protection of her unique biodiversity,Another exciting spot is the, which features over 280 plant species and kids will not want to miss the opportunity to feed the giant a scenic and easy hikes, theis a good option, offering a quick 1.4-km hike through the luxuriant forest. The top of the trail boasts a spectacular view of the east coast of the main island, overlooking views of the surrounding trip for Singapore outbound travellers will not be complete without tasting Seychelles' amazing Seychelles local cuisine reflects the island's rich history of cultural influences – blending African, European, Indian, and Chinese flavours into its own distinctive and delicious fusion. This culinary diversity, along with the abundance of fresh ingredients sourced from both land and sea, makes Seychelles' food culture an exciting culinary Seychelles islands were historically a melting pot of different cultures, including African slaves, French colonial settlers, Indian indentured laborers, and Chinese traders. As a result, the cuisine of Seychelles is a rich fusion of these various traditions. The French influence is seen in the use of rich sauces and seafood, the African influence brings in hearty and flavorful dishes, Indian spices enhance the flavors, and Chinese culinary techniques can be observed in the use of stir-fries and #seychellesisland The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Trade Arabia
18-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Tourism Seychelles sets sights on Saudi market
Tourism Seychelles has intensified its marketing efforts in Saudi Arabia by participating as an exhibitor at the TBO Riyadh Event, marking a significant step in expanding its presence in the Saudi market. The event, held recently, saw over 300 attendees, including leading travel companies from Riyadh, offering a valuable opportunity for tourism professionals to explore new travel opportunities and forge strategic partnerships. As its first market engagement of 2025 in Saudi Arabia, the event allowed Tourism Seychelles to connect with travel agents, discuss strategies for promoting Seychelles, and explore new collaborative opportunities. During the event, the Tourism Seychelles representative also took the opportunity to highlight the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025, set to take place in Seychelles from 1st-11th May 2025. This sporting event, hosted in the Paradise Arena, Mahé, will see 16 teams from around the world competing in a spectacular beach soccer showdown, offering a blend of world-class sports with the stunning natural beauty of Seychelles. Travel agents were encouraged to leverage this event as an opportunity to promote Seychelles as an exciting destination for sports tourism, luxury travel, and adventure seekers. Ahmed Fathallah, Representative of Tourism Seychelles in the Middle East, said: "Seychelles continues to position itself as more than just a leisure destination; we are evolving into a dynamic hub for cultural, luxury, and sports tourism. With the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025, along with enhanced air connectivity through Air Seychelles' new flights, we see great potential to attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region. Our collaboration with key industry players, including TBO, is instrumental in ensuring that travel agents have the right tools and information to showcase Seychelles as a must-visit destination for their clients." Tourism Seychelles was pleased to collaborate with TBO, one of the region's leading B2B travel platforms. The event reinforced the importance of working closely with prominent industry players to expand Seychelles' presence in the market. As part of this growing alliance, Tourism Seychelles looks forward to taking this partnership a step further by showcasing its presence at the TBO Travel Business Show in Dubai and Qatar in 2025.
Zawya
18-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tourism Seychelles sets sights on Saudi market
Saudi Arabia - Tourism Seychelles has intensified its marketing efforts in Saudi Arabia by participating as an exhibitor at the TBO Riyadh Event, marking a significant step in expanding its presence in the Saudi market. The event, held recently, saw over 300 attendees, including leading travel companies from Riyadh, offering a valuable opportunity for tourism professionals to explore new travel opportunities and forge strategic partnerships. As its first market engagement of 2025 in Saudi Arabia, the event allowed Tourism Seychelles to connect with travel agents, discuss strategies for promoting Seychelles, and explore new collaborative opportunities. During the event, the Tourism Seychelles representative also took the opportunity to highlight the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025, set to take place in Seychelles from 1st-11th May 2025. This sporting event, hosted in the Paradise Arena, Mahé, will see 16 teams from around the world competing in a spectacular beach soccer showdown, offering a blend of world-class sports with the stunning natural beauty of Seychelles. Travel agents were encouraged to leverage this event as an opportunity to promote Seychelles as an exciting destination for sports tourism, luxury travel, and adventure seekers. Ahmed Fathallah, Representative of Tourism Seychelles in the Middle East, said: "Seychelles continues to position itself as more than just a leisure destination; we are evolving into a dynamic hub for cultural, luxury, and sports tourism. With the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025, along with enhanced air connectivity through Air Seychelles' new flights, we see great potential to attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region. Our collaboration with key industry players, including TBO, is instrumental in ensuring that travel agents have the right tools and information to showcase Seychelles as a must-visit destination for their clients." Tourism Seychelles was pleased to collaborate with TBO, one of the region's leading B2B travel platforms. The event reinforced the importance of working closely with prominent industry players to expand Seychelles' presence in the market. As part of this growing alliance, Tourism Seychelles looks forward to taking this partnership a step further by showcasing its presence at the TBO Travel Business Show in Dubai and Qatar in 2025. Tourism Seychelles remains committed to strengthening relationships with trade partners across the region, ensuring that Seychelles continues to be a top travel choice for visitors from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tourism Seychelles sets sights on the Saudi market
Tourism Seychelles has intensified its marketing efforts in Saudi Arabia by participating as an exhibitor at the TBO Riyadh Event, marking a significant step in expanding its presence in the Saudi market. The event, held recently, saw over 300 attendees, including leading travel companies from Riyadh, offering a valuable opportunity for tourism professionals to explore new travel opportunities and forge strategic partnerships. As its first market engagement of 2025 in Saudi Arabia, the event allowed Tourism Seychelles to connect with travel agents, discuss strategies for promoting Seychelles, and explore new collaborative opportunities. During the event, the Tourism Seychelles representative also took the opportunity to highlight the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025, set to take place in Seychelles from 1st-11th May 2025. This historic sporting event, hosted in the Paradise Arena, Mahé, will see 16 teams from around the world competing in a spectacular beach soccer showdown, offering a unique blend of world-class sports with the stunning natural beauty of Seychelles. Travel agents were encouraged to leverage this event as an opportunity to promote Seychelles as an exciting destination for sports tourism, luxury travel, and adventure seekers. Speaking on the significance of these opportunities, Ahmed Fathallah, Representative of Tourism Seychelles in the Middle East, said: "Seychelles continues to position itself as more than just a leisure destination; we are evolving into a dynamic hub for cultural, luxury, and sports tourism. With the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025, along with enhanced air connectivity through Air Seychelles' new flights, we see great potential to attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region. Our collaboration with key industry players, including TBO, is instrumental in ensuring that travel agents have the right tools and information to showcase Seychelles as a must-visit destination for their clients." Tourism Seychelles was pleased to collaborate with TBO, one of the region's leading B2B travel platforms. The event reinforced the importance of working closely with prominent industry players to expand Seychelles' presence in the market. As part of this growing alliance, Tourism Seychelles looks forward to taking this partnership a step further by showcasing its presence at the TBO Travel Business Show in Dubai and Qatar in 2025. Tourism Seychelles remains committed to strengthening relationships with trade partners across the region, ensuring that Seychelles continues to be a top travel choice for visitors from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
