Seychelles eyes to double tourist flow from India

Island nation Seychelles is eyeing a two-fold rise in tourist flow from India this year bolstered by encouraging trend being witnessed after direct air connectivity between the two countries.
"Last year, 2,500 Indian travellers visited Seychelles and this year we are expecting double this number at close to 5,000. We are seeing very positive response after Air Seychelles started its services connecting Mumbai and Seychelles last year," its Tourism Minister Alain St.Ange, told PTI here.
The country has already hosted 3,000 travellers from India between January and July this year.
The passenger load of Air Seychelles from Mumbai is growing and it has already increased its services from three days a week to four days a week, he said.

He said the island is conducting a survey on carrying capacity that will throw light on the amount of tourists it can accommodate and offer them a good holiday experience.
"We are doing a survey on carrying capacity that will give us information on our how much tourists we can comfortably accommodate and give them a good holiday experience. It will help us in the long run and also in forming our marketing strategy," he said.

In Asia, the minister said, India has a massive advantage of distance and culture with the island and is the fastest growing market for Seychelles.

As no island can survive alone, Seychelles -- part of seven islands -- is also promoting it in packages to make tourism experience rich.
"We are packaging Seychelles as beaches and safaris and culture in collaboration with few African nations so that the tourists holiday experience is enhanced," he added.