BRIDE Abu Dhabi 2018 Seychelles draws interest of honeymooners and brides-to-be |26 May 2018

Seychelles, a popular honeymoon destination for newlyweds looking for the ultimate escape to spend their first days as husband and wife, was once again showcased at the BRIDE show in Abu Dhabi.

The leading wedding and lifestyle event in the Middle East was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, from May 9 to 12, 2018.

Seychelles was participating in the annual four-day show for the 7th consecutive year.

The 2018 edition of BRIDE Abu Dhabi saw the participation of exhibitors and discerning visitors from various Middle Eastern countries including Jordan, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Oman, as well as visitors from other regions of the world.

The Seychelles archipelago -- boasting powder white beaches and clear, tranquil turquoise waters -- is a popular destination for weddings and honeymoons.

The island nation’s participation at the event through the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) was therefore an opportunity to showcase its attractiveness to future couples.

STB was represented at this year’s show by the Tourism Attaché, based at the Seychelles embassy in Abu Dhabi, Aliette Esther and Tracy Tirant, an Information Officer based at STB’s Praslin office.

Many of the visitors to the Seychelles’ stand were looking for holiday packages to gift a family member who just got married or is planning to get married.

To note that the Seychelles is already a popular destination for wedding and honeymoon travellers from the Middle East. In 2017, a total of 490 marriage certificates were legalised by the Seychelles embassy in Abu Dhabi compared to 217 in 2016.  To-date, 175 marriage certificates have been legalised.

A surprising number of visitors to the Seychelles stand had already visited the islands of Praslin, La Digue, Curieuse and Silhouette and are planning to return to the archipelago in the near future.

Many others are planning to visit Seychelles between May to August, mainly during the UAE summer holidays and the Holy month of Ramadan. The STB team also recorded a few queries from holidaymakers planning their trip for later in the year, between September and October.

A number of hotel packages and promotions by the national airline, Air Seychelles were presented at the stand. This attracted many potential visitors as it gave them an idea of how much a Seychelles holiday would cost.

Interestingly, many visitors were familiar with the different types of accommodation available, which shows that the UAE residents and the visitors to the show do a lot of research prior to visiting Bride Abu Dhabi.

Ms Esther said Seychelles recorded a good participation and the island nation was very noticeable at the BRIDE Abu Dhabi show, considering there are various ongoing marketing campaigns being run across the Middle East to increase the islands’ visibility.

“Shows like this also allows us to interact with the visitors who are indecisive when choosing between Seychelles and other equally attractive destinations. Through our presence we can give them that extra little push in making up their minds in our favour,” said Ms Esther.

Over 200 exhibitors took part in BRIDE Abu Dhabi show this year, showcasing a wide range of products ranging from bridal fashion, jewellery, hair, beauty and wellness, home and accessories, contemporary fashion, delightful destinations, among many others.