(Posted 19th October 2015)
SEYCHELLES TARGETS THE TRAVEL TRADE IN IRELAND
The Seychelles Tourism Board’s, UK and Ireland Office and members of the island’s Travel Trade launched another marketing foray into the Irish market last week, with a series of Train and Dine events – in Cork, Limerick and Belfast.
The delegation comprising Tinaz Wadia and Eloise Vidot from the Seychelles Tourism Board, Wendy Tan – Berjaya Hotels Seychelles, Justin Purves – Banyan Tree Seychelles, Ash Behari – the Hotel Coco De Mer and Black Parrot Suites, David Rakotopare – Enchanted Island and Debbie Flanagan – Denis Island Private were warmly welcomed by the Irish Travel agents, as they re-entered the Irish market with yet another series of events, bringing the wonders and products of the destination to the door step of the Irish Travel Trade.
‘It was most satisfying to see the turn out, interest and support that we received from the Irish Travel Trade‘, said Miss Wadia. She further stated that most destination marketing events had previously been done in Dublin, however, this time the Seychelles penetrated into the heart of Ireland, to cities that are not supported on most marketing maps – and the enthusiasm and support from these areas by the travel agents was amazing.
She then added that many agents supported sales to the destination in view of the excellent air access to the Seychelles from Dublin, Ireland – as Etihad and Emirates fly twice daily from the Irish capital (4 flights per day) – via their respective hubs in the Middle East and then twice a day on to Mahe.
Given that there is much turmoil in other popular destinations that the Irish generally travel to are many Irish tourists now looking to take a holiday in safe and new destinations and the Seychelles has certainly caught their eyes going by the sharp rise in visitor numbers.
‘We look forward to doing a lot more work on the Irish market and together with the support of the agents as well as the local partners and this is very achievable‘ she said in closing.
At each event, there were a select number of agents that attended – and they were treated to an amazing image display of the Seychelles Islands and its various products.
It was also reiterated that the Seychelles is an affordable destination and suited all budgets – as well as it was a safe and an ideal destination to travel to – year round.
As more effort and more marketing is done on this market, there are signs already of a definite increase in the number of tourists from Ireland – visiting the Seychelles. Year to date there has been an increase of 5% from Ireland.
