Emirates airline sees its move to double its flights to Seychelles by the end of this year as an important contribution to the country’s tourism industry.

This was said by the airline’s senior vice-president commercial operations, West Asia and the Indian Ocean, Majid Al Mualla, after the news that the number of flights will increase to 14 a week – twice a day. 

 

Mr Al Mualla, who was in Seychelles for the Carnaval International de Victoria, where

Emirates had a float, said many promotional activities are planned for this year.

In an interview with Nation, he noted that Emirates now serves 110 destinations worldwide,with Dubai as the hub for its overall operations.

The newest routes are to Geneva and Copenhagen, and Mr Al Mualla said figures reveal there are very good “feeder connections” to Seychelles.

He said since the launch of Emirates’ services to Seychelles in 2005, the number of tourists from Russia and Asia has doubled. And at the end of 2010, Seychelles was promoted in India as a honeymoon destination.

From March 28, Emirates’ services will gradually increase to 12 a week, with two more added to the schedule towards the end of the year. 

Mr Al Mualla said the extra services will not only mean more visitors but more business opportunities.

“There will be scope for more trade, as more cargo can be brought in,” he said.

Mr Al Mualla said two flights a day will reduce the transit time in Dubai for Seychelles-bound travellers. Emirates is, meanwhile, promoting special packages in various new markets such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Emirates is flying to Seychelles using the Airbus 340, which is a 240-seater aircraft in three configurations – first class, business class and economy. The planes have the “latest in-flight entertainment” and a multi-national cabin crew, speaking a minimum of five languages on each flight.

There are now 31 Seychellois working as cabin crew with the airline, which employs a total of 55 Seychellois.

Mr Al Mualla said Seychelles, being scenic and tranquil islands, can be viewed as a natural extension of holidays in Dubai, where attractions include the Shopping Festival and the Summer Surprises. He believes marketing Seychelles as part of a double-destination package will work very well.

Answering a Nation question about possible competition with Air Seychelles, Mr Al Mualla said 95% of Emirates’ destinations are not served by our national airline.

He said other markets Emirates plans to tap into are Japan, China and Korea.

“We are planning many activities and promotions, and we hope these will offer more options and flexibility,” he said, adding that Emirates is trying to feed passenger traffic off-peak.

He welcomed the opening of the Kempinksy Resort at the former Plantation Club, and the new Raffles Hotel on Praslin, as valuable additions to the Ephelia, Four Seasons, Banyan Tree and Maia top-end resorts.

On Emirates’ plans to build a hotel at Cap Ternay, Mr Al Mualla said this has been put on hold because of the global economic crisis. A decision is expected to be taken on the project before the end of this year. 

The Dubai tourism board had a stand at the carnival featuring various aspects of life and traditions in the United Arab Emirates. Visitors could see its evolution over the past 35 years from a desert backwater to the modern metropolis Dubai is today.

 

Forrás: http://www.nation.sc/