More visitors to Seychelles |05 May 2016

A total of 73,262 visitors arrived in Seychelles during the first quarter of 2016 and this represents an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2015.

The average length of stay of these visitors is 10.1 nights and 93% of them were on holiday.

In an information note addressed to members of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Trade, Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange has highlighted the visitors’ arrival statistics for the first quarter of 2016, obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics.

Speaking on the statistical figures, Minister St Ange has said the positive results reflect the good public/private sector partnership that exists in the Seychelles’ tourism industry.

"We work hard to keep the lines of dialogue open between the public and private sector. Secondly the marketing strategy by our tourism board is working and thirdly the islands have been able to work the industry that remains the pillar of its economy, outside politics. Seychelles has but one tourism industry and not one for the government of Seychelles and another one for its private sector. As a country that remains so dependent on tourism, it is so important that Seychelles continues to be united in its work to consolidate its tourism industry,” Mr St. Ange has said.

The six leading markets for the first three months of 2016 are: France (11,631 visitors), Germany (8,736), China (5,212), United Arab Emirates (4,950), Italy (4,897) and UK & Eire (4,077).

The estimated tourism earnings for the first quarter as per the balance of payments obtained from the Central Bank stands at R1.2 billion, an increase of 37% compared to the first quarter of last year.

Tourism earnings represent important foreign exchange inflows into the Seychelles’ economy, to tourism establishments and related businesses.