As part of its policy of targeted marketing and in response to the worrying 13% decrease (2014 vs. 2013) in visitor arrivals from its much-valued French market, the Seychelles Tourism Board has taken the initiative to invite a group of top French tour operators currently selling the destination to attend a strategy meeting in Seychelles in mid-September 2014.
The aim of this meeting is to deliberate on the way forward, listen to the challenges currently faced by French tour operators, and agree upon and implement an immediate plan of action for increasing market share from this important market.
“France is a country with which we have enjoyed significant ties for more than 250 years and has been a leading market for inbound tourism since the beginnings of our tourism industry in the early 1970s,” affirmed Alain St. Ange, Seychelles Minister for Tourism & Culture, “and we will leave no stone unturned in our attempts to ensure that whatever challenges we are currently facing in this area of our tourism are addressed timeously and comprehensively.”
Relevant senior members of the Seychelles government will be invited to be present at the scheduled meeting of leading French tour operators to listen to their concerns as well as key stakeholders of the local tourism industry with years of experience in marketing the destination to ensure that a high level of professionalism in discussions is achieved.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for all parties concerned with inbound tourism to put our heads together in a brainstorming session and tackle problems from every perspective. We’re hopeful the findings will enable us to chart an effective course to check the recent slump in arrivals,” stated Sherin Naiken, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board.
Bernadette Willemin, Seychelles Tourism Board Director for Europe, said she is happy with the rapid response of top French tour operators to attend the strategic meeting.
Mrs. Willemin added the rapidity of their response sends out a clear message that top French tour operators are still interested to sell Seychelles as an island destination.
“We’ve always promoted Seychelles on the French market in close collaborations with our top key tour operators. Today, it is in the same spirit that we met to map out new strategies and put the market back on the right track,” she said.
The meeting will be held Monday, September 15, at Constance Ephelia Resort.
