The Seychelles Tourism Board sees potential in South-east Asian markets based on interest received during the recent WTM Connect Asia in Penang.
The NTO is looking particularly at Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, having received “many enquiries and requests for contacts and packages” from these markets, according to its regional director Asia & Australasia, Jean-Luc Lai-Lam.
Jean-Luc Lai-Lam
Tourist arrivals to Seychelles totalled 106,623 last year, with arrivals from Asia (comprising the Middle East, India and the Far East) making up close to 25 per cent or 24,386 visitors.
Elaborating on plans to target South-east Asian markets, Lai-Lam said: “We have identified WTM Connect Asia and ITB Asia as the main trade fairs to attend in Asia. In 2H2017, we intend to do a B2B roadshow to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia together with our travel trade partners in the Seychelles, followed by sales calls to visit major outbound operators in these countries.”
Seychelles Tourism Board, the destination’s sole exhibitor at this year’s WTM Connect Asia, also plans to bring travel trade members to the show in future editions.
The tourism’s focus is on the travel trade for now, Lai-Lam explained. “We want to ensure our partners understand the needs of the market and are ready to cater to it before we embark on consumer programmes.”
