This is the general feeling of the Seychelles’ tourism trade following four key trade fairs whereby our destination was able to measure itself against its competitors.

It is clear from the interest shown that the world continues to rate Seychelles amongst the dream destinations of the planet.

From March 10 to 14, the trade were at the ITB trade fair in Berlin, Germany where the country was able to assess its ongoing Affordable Seychelles campaign which was launched at that exact trade fair last year.

The feedback has been satisfying and there is now intention to move a step further with the campaign and build on the positives that it had brought.

Germany remains a traditional market for Seychelles and it currently sits in third place as the best performing market.

Part of the delegation then hopped on the plane for MITT in Moscow, Russia. This market is proving to be a very profitable one with visitor arrival figures that speak volume.

Many operators are now showing interest in marketing their products there due to high returns as Russia is now Seychelles’ fourth best performing market.

Around the same time, a two-person delegation attended the Seatrade Cruiseship Convention in Miami, Florida, to tell the world that the cruiseship business remains a valuable component of the country’s tourism industry.

Late in February, Seychelles expressed its satisfaction at the promotion carried out at the New York Times Travel Show 2010 and which could be termed as a big breakthrough in that market for the destination.

Seychelles was promoted as an add-on to any African holiday as well as the fact that it is well connected with the Americas through Europe and South Africa by Air Seychelles, through Dubai and the Middle East by Emirates and Qatar, and through Kenya by Kenya Airways.