Emirates Strengthens Its Commitment to the Seychelles Airline’s services to the archipelago double to 14 flights per week

DUBAI, UAE – 8 March 2011 – In a major move to support the Seychelles tourism industry and to provide passengers with more flexible travel options, Emirates Airline (www.emirates.com) has announced a 100 per cent increase in frequency between Dubai and the Seychelles. This route will be serviced by 14 flights every week, by the end of the year.

As from 28th March 2011, the service will increase to 12 weekly flights. Two further frequencies will be added to the winter schedule, making it a double daily service.

To give a boost to inbound travel, Emirates Holidays, the tour operating arm of Emirates, is currently promoting special packages in various markets including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. 

“As compared to January 2010, we are increasing the capacity between Dubai and the Seychelles by 350%,” said Majid Al Mualla, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations – West Asia and Indian Ocean. “This is remarkable by any standards. The increase in frequency is the fruit of all our efforts and investment in promoting the Seychelles across our network. Our recent campaigns have stepped up demand for the route as well as opened up new feeder markets. The increasing number of tourists will welcome these additional flights as they will have more travel options and better connectivity.”

In a meeting with the President of the Republic of the Seychelles, Mr. James Michel, Mr Al Mualla said that Emirates regarded itself as partners of the Seychelles tourism industry and would continue to support it actively.

“We thank the Government of the Seychelles for their trust and will work hand in hand with the Seychelles Tourism Board to continue the marketing efforts which have been undertaken,” he added.

“We are overjoyed by Emirates’ announcement regarding the double daily flights. This is in line with our new vision of Seychelles operating with an open skies, thus ensuring our yield increases. The problem of demand and supply in terms of seat capacity is the past,” said Alain St. Ange, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

Future campaigns will comprise familiarisation trips for tour operators and media groups as well as special promotions, such as the recent Valentine’s Day offer targeting couples in Dubai.

In February, Emirates Holidays took part in the Abu Dhabi Bridal Show together with the Seychelles Tourism Board to promote Seychelles a honeymoon destination while its annual brochure – A World of Choice – dedicates a prominent part to the Seychelles.

Emirates also participated in ‘Carnaval International de Victoria’ in the Seychelles this past weekend with its own colourful float carrying a giant globe and 12 Emirates cabin crew. Additionally, it supported the event by creating awareness around it in new markets such as Czech Republic, Spain, Brazil, Russia, the Middle East, India, Korea, China and Japan.

In 2010, 176,088 tourists visited the Seychelles, representing an increase of 11% over the previous year. Since the launch of Emirates’ service to the archipelago in 2005, the number of tourists from Russia and Asia has doubled. The Seychelles welcomed 9,929 tourists from the Middle East last year.