DURBAN, South Africa -- When one thinks of Africa, perhaps the first activity that comes to mind are safari tours. But what about fly fishing, snorkeling and sailing?
As part of our ongoing coverage of the INDABA 2014 tradeshow, Travel Agent sat down with Alain St. Ange, minister of tourism for the Seychelles Tourism Board , and learned what makes the growing destination so unique.
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Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is a 155-island country, whose capital, Victoria, lies roughy 1,000 miles east of mainland Southeast Africa and northeast of the island of Madagascar.
It is home to well-known luxury brands such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and St. Ange also says that Ritz-Carlton has expressed a high level of interest in expanding to the country.
Compared to other African destinations, Seychelles is surpisingly accessible from anywhere in the world with only one stop (Johannesburg) from just about every key market worldwide from the U.S. to Dubai to London and more. From Johannesburg, it is another four-hour flight to Seychelles.
"When you come to Africa, do a safari and then come to Seychelles," says St. Ange. "There is more to do than a safari and I think we offer Americans a bit of culture and the chance to meet locals and just really have that cultural experience."
Like a lot of African destinations, the U..S market represents less than five percent of total arrivals to the county. But St. Ange expects that number to increase soon since the Seychelles Tourism Board has been increasing its involvement in U.S. travel tradeshows and is also looking to open a small office in New York City in the near future.
Because the main attractions are snorkeling, fishing and sailing, St. Ange says the Americans who do visit the country are often younger, around 20-to-30-years-old with middle-to-high incomes.
"Word is really traveling about Seychelles," says St. Ange. "We have always been pretty well known in the U.S. but now we just have to get them to come here."
Visit www.seychelles.travel and keep following www.travelagentcentral.com for more updates from INDABA 2014, which runs through May 12.