Seychelles
Some of the world’s most stunning tropical scenery topped up with an ever-expanding range of affordable and top-end accommodation make this a perfect sell, says Alan Orbell
ICONIC ISLANDS O
ne by one, some of the world’s most iconic hotel brands are adding their
individual style to the Seychelles islands’ accommodation choices; most recently Raffles in February and now, next autumn, Kempinski and Shangri-La. They join an illustrious group that
already includes Hilton, Le Meridien, Banyan Tree and Four Seasons as well of course as a number of other luxury hotels and one island/one property resorts, some at the very top end. This expansion of upscale accommodation epitomises Seychelles' tourism development in recent years, which has even seen the islands’ president
56 April 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
assuming the tourism portfolio. While Air Seychelles is now operating
just two weekly services out of Heathrow each Sunday and Friday evening to Mahé, both Emirates and Qatar Airways have increased the number of services via their home hubs. Emirates, which offers 14 flights a day out of the UK to Dubai, increased its Dubai/Seychelles schedule to 10 flights a week from the end of March. Other boosts to the islands’ tourism –
up by 8% in January compared with January 2010 – have been a closer attention to '"a growing array of niche markets", according to Alain St Ange, the Seychelles Tourist Board’s ceo. These include fishing, diving, sailing, eco-holidays,
weddings and honeymoons, golf, spa and wellness and groups/incentive travel. “Seychelles also continues to pursue a
policy of encouraging events-based tourism such as the recent, highly successful ‘Carnaval International de Victoria’ which saw some 25 foreign floats participate in three days of festivities,” Alain St Ange added. Elite Vacations remains the only operator with a dedicated Seychelles brochure. It features more than 50 accommodation options including small hotels, some of which are in the tourist office’s Seychelles Secrets list of properties. It also has a number of island-hopping itineraries plus a cruise and stay holiday.
Enchanting Holidays has now moved
its Seychelles (and Maldives) product into a single brochure featuring seven mid- and top-end properties. And a third operator, Stylish Resorts,
was due to launch a new dedicated Seychelles website (
www.stylishseychelles. com) at the end of last month (March). The Seychelles’ 115 islands are among
the world’s most desirable holiday destinations from so many perspectives. There’s the ever-improving range of accommodation, of course – including affordable options too – but also stunning beaches such as Anse Lazio on Praslin, recognised as one of the world’s best, a pristine environment with two World
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