SEYCHELLES
our guests, so that their stay remains a unique experience.” The crucial importance of service in the islands is echoed by Daniella Payet-Alis, the recently appointed Vice Chairman of the Seychelles Hotel Tourism Association, “Tourism is a service-based industry;
we must listen to the needs of the clients and what they want. We will always need a true, sound foundation to be able to build from. High quality service is key to that foundation. We are blessed with a breathtaking product but without the people to make it consumable it is worthless.” Recent years have seen a hugely improved quality of accommodation in Seychelles with the service to match, and this is clearly having a positive impact for many operators in
spite of the lack of direct fl ights. Western & Oriental General Manager, Matthew Rushbrooke has seen Seychelles bookings go up 15% year on year. “Our most popular resorts are St
Anne, which offers a great all- inclusive package, and Constance Ephelia, for those looking for good value for money. Honeymooners have been booking island-hopping experiences within the Seychelles.” The operator’s new Indian Ocean and Middle East brochure offers eight resorts in the Seychelles islands. It is honeymooners that have been driving Virgin Holidays’ business, according to Louise Turner of the Worldwide Product Team. “The Seychelles remains a popular
Above: A Signature villa in the luxury resort of Maia on Mahé
choice for honeymooners looking to blow the budget on the ultimate in Indian Ocean luxury. Although our numbers to the Seychelles are small in comparison to other Indian Ocean
destinations, we continue to see growth for 2013 and into 2014. “As a predominantly high- end destination it gives a great opportunity to yield high revenues. It remains accessible from the UK, with fl ights via Dubai with Emirates or Abu Dhabi with Etihad, giving customers the perfect opportunity to spend a few nights in the Middle East before continuing onto Seychelles. Less obvious would be to fl y onto Seychelles following a Kenya safari.” Positive growth has also been
the experience of Elite Vacations’ Commercial Director Owen Davies. “Seychelles has performed well for us in 2013, particularly the fi ve- star hotels and resorts, helped by the superb offers from our hotel partners. As one of the most unique island destinations in the world, it offers something different for clients as well as providing a huge choice of accommodation options – from
www.sellinglonghaul.com
“As a predominantly high-end destination it gives a great opportunity to yield high revenues. It remains accessible from the UK with flights via Dubai with Emirates or
Abu Dhabi with Etihad” LOUISE TURNER, VIRGIN HOLIDAYS’ WORLDWIDE PRODUCT TEAM
November 2013 23
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