FRANCE TOPS ARRIVALS IN JANUARY AS MARKETING PUSH SHOWS RESULTS
(Posted 18th February 2015)
France has in January 2015 reclaimed the lead as the Seychelles’ top country of origin for visitors. With some 3.387 visitors they outperformed Germany which, leading all the way in 2014, came in a distant second with 2.861 visitors. The top five ‘producer countries’ also include Russia with 1.861 visitors, inspite of the country’s growing economic problems, followed by Italy with 1.489 and surprisingly South Africa with 1.115.
China notably moved on to place 6 in the statistics with 1.105 visitors in January this year already.
France’s recovery is in part attributed to the easing of transit regulations in Abu Dhabi where passengers flying with Air Seychelles to Paris, and vice versa, can now remain on board the aircraft compared to previous practice which involved deboarding, security check and re-boarding, generally perceived as unnecessary hassle and inconvenience and therefore depressing passenger numbers. With this issue now resolved have visitor numbers from France began to rise again. More flights by Etihad from France have also helped to tap into the French regional markets, from where tourists can connect from an airport near them via Abu Dhabi instead of having to travel first to Paris to catch their onward flight.
In addition does Kenya Airways connect passengers from Paris through their Nairobi hub four times a week, as apparently does Ethiopian too with three weekly connections between Addis and Mahe.
For more information about Destination Seychelles click on www.seychelles.travel
