Middle East roadshow set to boost tourism
16.05.2009
Seychelles will host a roadshow around the Middle East countries in November to promote our archipelago as a tourism destination.
Alain St Ange, director of tourism marketing at the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), said this on Monday after taking part in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) trade fair, held in Dubai from May 5-8.
He said the roadshow will help consolidate the progress his delegation made during the fair.
“We will go with groups of people from the private sector here. The airlines flying to Seychelles will join us to go right round this part of the world to ensure Seychelles is perceived as a destination that is ready to receive clients. We will meet tour operators and the press,” he said.
He said the STB will invite Vice-President Joseph Belmont, who is also the Minister for Tourism, to launch the show “so as to set the tone that it is an official event”.
Seychelles’ delegation at the ATM was headed by STB chairman Maurice Loustau-Lalanne.
Also present were members of the local tourism trade including 7°South, Creole Travel Services, Select Seychelles, Starwood Hotels in Seychelles – Le Méridien Fisherman’s Cove and Le Méridien Barbarons – and Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort and Casino.
Describing their mission as a success, the delegation said it is now evident the Middle East remains a potential market for Seychelles “with virtually daily flights coming to Seychelles from that region”.
“A large number of travel agents visited Seychelles’ stand, asked about our country and established contacts with our destination management companies,” said Mr St Ange.
The delegates met many tour operators, including Emirates Holidays, Qatar Holidays and DNATA. They also met the two major airlines flying to Seychelles from the Middle East – Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways.
“Our meetings with the media were attended by representatives of magazines, newspapers and radio stations who showed a keen interest in learning about Seychelles and featuring it,” said Mr St Ange.
“The trade fair reconfirmed what we knew about the possibilities there are for Seychelles in the Middle East. This part of the world remains the area with the biggest growth potential.
“But we must not sit and wait for business to grow by itself because that will be a long process. We need to be proactive, and the new STB will be spearheading a revamped marketing strategy for that market to ensure we get our fair share of it.”