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Seychelles showcased at tourism trade fair in Spain |26 January 2018

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne led the Seychelles’ delegation to FITUR 2018, the International Tourism Trade Fair held in the Spanish capital, Madrid.

Minister Loustau-Lalanne was present at the Seychelles stand on the opening day of the 38th travel and tourism trade show, held at the IFEMA Convention Centre from January 17 to 21.

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) was represented at the event by its regional director for Europe, Bernadette Willemin, and the marketing executive for the Spain and Portugal market, Monica Gonzalez LLinás.

It was a very busy five days for the Seychelles team – the first three days were dedicated to meetings with travel trade professionals and various media.

On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd, the island nation’s stand was transformed into a business-to-consumer platform to welcome the general public. This provided the perfect opportunity to boost their knowledge of the destination and entice them to visit Seychelles. The Seychelles team was also at hand to answer their questions.

The Iberian Peninsula – a peninsula in southwestern Europe, which is occupied by Spain and Portugal -- is already producing good business for Seychelles.

In 2017, there was a 24% increase in visitors to Seychelles from the Iberian market, which is currently the 17th largest contributor of tourists to the island nation. Spain contributed a lion’s share of the business. Last year’s increase was immensely supported by both the Spanish and Portuguese trade, as well as the local travel trade in the Seychelles.

Mrs Willemin said the Iberian market is one that fits well with Seychelles’ tourism development policy, which is aiming for quality versus quantity, as visitors from the region are known to be very jovial people and good spenders.

“The current outlook for the Spanish market in particular looks positive and should this trend continue, it will help in further developing our business together with the support of Seychelles trade partners, which will hopefully keep growing the confidence of the Iberian travel operators and agents to continue selling the destination and increase the Iberian sales figures,” said Mrs Willemin.

FITUR is a meeting point for tourism professionals from around the globe and is considered to be the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound Ibero-American markets.

The importance of the travel and trade show is reflected in the growing number of exhibiting companies from participating countries, trade participants, the general public and journalists recorded each year.

The 2018 FITUR had a special focus on sustainability and technological progress, which are key to the transformation of the tourism sector.  

 

 

 

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