Seychelles hails arrival of its 100,000th visitor for 2012 |07 July 2012

Unknowingly, Dalila Ali Mohamed Minouni, who is of Moroccan origin but lives in Bahrain, stepped off her Qatar Airways flight that landed at the Seychelles International Airport at 6.45am, as the islands’ 100,000th visitor.

To mark the achievement, a special welcome was organised by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB).

Dalila Ali Mohamed Minouni was personally greeted on her arrival and presented with a gift pack together with a flower garland by Tourism and Culture minister Alain St Ange along with STB chief executive Elsia Grandcourt.

Dalila Ali Mohamed Minouni, who is on her very first visit to the islands, is in Seychelles on a short two-day stay at Le Méridien Barbarons. She said she decided to visit Seychelles after hearing her brother, who frequently flies to the islands as one of the Qatar Airways crew, talk about the endless charm and beauty of the destination.

“I’m already impressed with Seychelles. It has an air of cosiness and I feel relaxed already,” said an overwhelmed Dalila Ali Mohamed Minouni, adding “I can’t wait to enjoy the lovely beaches that I’ve heard so much about and to taste the Seychelles Creole cuisine.”

Dalila Ali Mohamed Minouni said she hopes to come back to Seychelles on a longer stay later during the year.

Seychelles has this year received its 100,000th visitor earlier than last year, which was on July 16. This represents a positive sign for the islands’ tourism industry which is expected to break a new visitor record if the healthy growth of arrival figures continues throughout the year.

The latest statistical report of the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics shows that as of Sunday July 1, 98,963 visitors arrived in Seychelles, compared to 92,271 for the same period last year, indicating a 7% increase.

Seychelles first tagged its 100,000th visitor in 1990 and has since then marked the occasion annually. 

This year, Seychelles celebrates its 100,000th visitor achievement just a few days before it hosts Routes Africa 2012, the biggest route development event of Africa that is taking place from July 8-10.