Seychelles sees record 62% growth in Indian tourists

African island nation Seychelles has recorded a 62 per cent growth in arrival of Indian tourists at 6,313 during January-July period, mainly due to increase in air connectivity and promotional efforts.
Around 3,899 travellers from India had visited the nation during January-July last year, Seychelles Tourism Board said in a release issued here.
"We are thrilled with the way India market has responded to our efforts. We have seen a phenomenal increase in arrivals since we opened office three years ago. However, this is not the time to bask in the current successes and relax. As we enter the pre-honeymoon and festival season, we will double our efforts to reach out to both travel trade and consumers," Seychelles Tourism Board CEO Sherin Naiken said.

The tourism board is expecting the visitor count from India to cross 10,000 this year.
"In 2015, we predicted 5,000 arrivals from India for the whole year but we saw 7,718 arrivals. This year we aim to cross 10,000," she added.
This surge in arrivals is mainly due to increasing focus on educating and promoting the destination better, increase in Air Seychelles flights from 4 to 5 times a week, special efforts from the hotels and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) to tap the India market and increasing efforts to reach out to the customers through association with Bollywood and other avenues, according to the release.

"We have been able to position Seychelles as a destination which is meant for all -- families, couples, small groups, celebrations and MICE," Naiken added.