Seychelles, Emirates strengthen bond

Tourism Seychelles showcased their diverse offerings at the Arabian Travel Market, held recently in Dubai. Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Seychelles, led the contingent of nine partners from the country, which included hotels and DMCs. Among some of the strategic collaborations they made was the renewal of the Emirates Airline partnership.

TT Bureau

Seychelles’ participation was reinforced by the support of distinguished Destination Management Companies, such as 7 South, Luxe Voyage Holidays, Luxury Travel, Masons Travel, Ocean Blue Travel, Summer Rain Tours, along with renowned hotels, including Berjaya Resorts Seychelles, Eden Bleu Hotel, Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa, and Coral Strand Smart Choice Hotel.

Highlights of the event included the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key industry partners. The first MoU was signed with Emirates Airlines, enhancing partnerships to strengthen connectivity and accessibility to Seychelles. The second MoU was signed with dnata Travel to foster joint collaborations and further promote Seychelles as a premier travel destination. Additionally, bilateral meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives further strengthened regional collaboration and cooperation.

Ahmed Fathallah, Tourism Seychelles’ Middle East representative, commented, “This event provided an exceptional platform for Tourism Seychelles Middle East to foster existing relationships, explore new opportunities, and reinforce Seychelles’ allure as a premier travel destination. The engagement with key industry stakeholders and media has amplified our efforts to showcase Seychelles’ unique offerings and commitment to sustainable tourism.”

Tourism Seychelles and Emirates once again reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing tourism flows throughout the extensive network of the airline. This dedication was underscored by the renewal of their strategic partnership at the renowned Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked by Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial – West Asia & Indian Ocean and Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary of the Tourism Department. The MoU was signed in the presence of Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Seychelles and Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, Emirates. Also present were Ambassador Gervais Moumou, Seychelles’ Resident Ambassador in Abu Dhabi, and Bernadette Willemin, Director General for Destination Marketing.

At the event, Radegonde highlighted Emirates’ role as a key ally, noting its significant market share in the industry. He thanked Emirates for their enduring partnership, recognising its positive impact on Seychelles’ visibility and accessibility. The minister also expressed excitement for future collaborations, aiming to use Emirates’ expertise to boost Seychelles’ global tourism reputation.

“Emirates’ presence enables us to showcase Seychelles’ unparalleled beauty, rich culture, and diverse attractions to a vast international audience. Simultaneously, their operations facilitate the influx of visitors, contributing to the growth and prosperity of our tourism sector. As we reflect on the partnership with Emirates, we recognise the invaluable impact it has had on our destination’s visibility and accessibility. We are delighted with the renewal of this agreement,” said Radegonde.

Emirates has reiterated its unwavering support for Tourism Seychelles, aiming to bolster the island nation’s endeavours in promoting tourism and trade. The newly established agreement delineates a range of mutually beneficial initiatives aimed at enhancing trade and tourism, including participation in trade shows, familiarisation trips, exhibitions, and workshops.

Furthermore, Emirates has committed to assisting travel agents and tour operators in key strategic markets, empowering them to effectively promote Seychelles as a premier leisure destination. This commitment entails the development of tailored holiday packages, provision of incentives, marketing support, and organisation of familiarisation trips aimed at showcasing Seychelles’ allure to a global clientele.

During the signing, Francis, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, said, “The renewal of the partnership is a testament of our shared vision and commitment to continuously work together to promote the destination and further develop the route. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Emirates for its continuous support.”

Commenting on the airline’s commitment to promoting Seychelles to its customer base, Khoory said, “Seychelles is a key leisure destination in our network that we have proudly been operating in since 2005. Our partnership aimed at promoting tourism to the nation goes back to 2013, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting its tourism industry. Seychelles is a tourist destination which is highly popular among travellers from key markets in our network, and we are proud to play a role in driving traffic flows to the island through our efforts.”

With only a four-hour flight from Dubai to Seychelles, Emirates provides seamless connectivity to this idyllic Indian Ocean destination. Operating a double daily flight, Emirates serves as a vital link, connecting travellers from around the globe to the enchanting paradise of Seychelles. As the partnership between Emirates and Seychelles continues to flourish, it not only enhances tourism but also strengthens the bonds between nations, fostering cultural exchange and economic growth.