SEYCHELLES STARTS 2014 AS 2013 ENDED – WITH A NEW JANUARY ARRIVAL RECORD
(Posted 11th February 2014)
There was certainly pride in the latest media brief received from Seychelles’ Minister of Tourism and Culture Alain St. Ange, when he shared the January statistics of arrivals and average stay of tourists to the islands.
The length of stay increased to 10.9 days while 5 percent more tourists set foot on the archipelago in January 2014, compared with the same month a year ago.
Out of the 16.521 visitors counted, 2.317 came from Russia, which represents an increase from that market by nearly a third, relegating France to second place with 2.216 visitors. China came a strong third with 2.086 arrivals, an increase of nearly 90 percent from January 2013. These results are largely attributed to the strong presence in Russia and China of marketing teams visiting tourism trade shows or participating in sales missions, supported by airlines like Air Seychelles / Etihad and Emirates, both of which connect from their global network via Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively several times a day.
Germany, Italy and South Africa make up the top six countries of origin for visitors, the statement added. Minister St. Ange was quoted to have said when announcing the continuing upwards trend: ‘This is an achievement for any country, but over and above these comparative figures tourism remains the pillar of the Seychelles economy’.
Meanwhile are preparations in full gear for the annual Seychelles Eco Friendly Marathon which will be run on 23rd of February. For more information on this and other events visit www.seychelles.travel
