The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Port and Marine – Mr. Maurice Loustau Lalanne – headed the small delegation consisting of the General Manager of hotel Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa, Stephane Vilar and Sales Manager of Destination Management Company Masons Travel , Nadine Etienne alongside the Seychelles Tourism Board representative – Bernadette Willemin – Director, Europe, and Monica Gonzalez Llinas Marketing Executive for Spain and Portugal market at this year’s FITUR trade fair in Spain. Mr. Lalanne was present at the Seychelles stand in IFEMA, Madrid for the opening of the 37th edition of FITUR, being held from the 18th – 22nd January 2017 and attended a few high profile UNWTO events including the official registration of minister Alain St.Ange candidature for the UNWTO seat of Secretary General.
The Iberians arrival figures to the Seychelles have increased by 17% last year with Spain catering for the lion share of the business. Last year’s increase was immensely supported by both the Spanish and Portuguese and the local travel trade in the Seychelles. The Iberian market currently sits at 14th position for tourism arrivals to the Seychelles. A market which is very much in line with the Seychelles tourism development policy, quality versus quantity. Iberians are known to be very jovial people and good spenders.
This year FITUR opens it door with excellent participation figures. Almost 10% more exhibition space, 62,494 square meters, and a 6% increase in direct stand holders, with a total of 755, displaying the offering of 9,672 companies, configure a professional business platform which sees its international offering reinforced by 9% in terms of main stand holders.
FITUR 2017 was further enhance by being chosen by the World Tourism Organization as the venue for kicking off the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development declared by the United Nations Organization, thus strengthening its positioning among the most relevant events in the world ranking and, in particular, for the Latin American market.
Sustainable Tourism for Development was actually the leitmotif of this 37th staging of FITUR, where participating countries have been able to see the efforts the tourism industry are making to contribute to the development of a new model of sustainable tourism in its main economic, sociocultural and environmental pillars.
In reality, an article from the FITUR daily newspaper reveals that for 2017, a third of travelers will choose more eco-friendly destinations than in 2016; 39% is interested in trying an eco-tour; and 79% considers it important to book a hotel that implements ecological and sustainable practices.
“Seychelles have a lot to benefit worldwide as it prides itself on its record for far-sighted conservation policies that have resulted in an enviable degree of protection for the environment and the varied ecosystems it supports,” said Bernadette Willemin the Seychelles Tourism Board Director for Europe. She continues by stating that for the Spanish market in particular the current outlook looks positive and should this trend continues, it will help in further developing our business together with the support of local Seychelles trade partners which will hopefully keep the growing confidence of the Iberians travel operators and agent in continuing to sell the destination and increase the Iberian sales figures.
in the presence of Minister Lalanne, she reiterated the importance of the trade partnerships during the dinner organized by the Seychelles Tourism Board for the Spanish trade partners, Tour operators, airline, hotels and DMCs in Madrid.
Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).
