Seychelles: Direct flights are a boost
Direct flights have boosted the Seychelles but it is multi-island itineraries that make for bigger earnings, says Kathryn Liston
Is that Big Ben? I am staring at a replica of London’s famous clock tower while buying vanilla pods and creole spices at the market in Victoria, Mahé’s capital.
The next day I’m kicking back on the beautiful white sands of stunning Anse Lazio on Praslin, rated as one of the world’s best beaches by Giorgio Armani. After breakfast, I’m mesmerised by a turtle laying her eggs on the beach at the Constance Lemuria hotel.
The following day, I’m taking the ferry over to tranquil La Digue, where I enjoy life at an oxen’s pace. We plod along the coastline in an ox cart to the Rene Payet Veuve Reserve, home of the endemic Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher bird.
I later to switch pedal power and take a leisurely cycle through the L’Union Estate’s vanilla plantation to one of the last working copra mills (where coconut oil is extracted) before cooling off at stunning Anse Source d’Argent, featured in the Bounty TV advertisements – it doesn’t get more postcard tropical than this!
Returning to Mahé later on, I reflect on my visit. A walk through Fregate Island’s lush interior was rewarded by one of the most stunning and deserted beaches. Bird Island is equally remote and beautiful with just its feathered residents and a giant tortoise for company.
Hop to it
UK visitors and honeymooners have fallen back in love with the Seychelles thanks to direct British Airways flights and an array of island-hopping opportunities.
BA launched twice-weekly flights from Heathrow last March and the number of UK visitors rose 16%, to 17,286, between January and September last year.
Nikki Hain, Product Manager at Premier Holidays, said: “The Seychelles is selling very well for travel in 2019 and we saw a healthy increase in 2018 bookings.
“We encourage island hopping for any clients booking the Seychelles. The honeymoon market in particular is really tapping into the whole experience as it provides a true Robinson Crusoe feel.”
Other trends identified by Premier include demand for adult-only hotels and holidays twinned with South Africa.
“Resorts such as Coco de Mer and
Black Parrot Suites offer adult-only accommodation that appeal perfectly to the honeymoon market,” adds Hain.
Travelling to an island paradise was voted the most desired holiday aspiration for 2019 by Hayes & Jarvis customers. And the Seychelles has 115 islands to choose from, with Mahé, Praslin and La Digue being the most popular.
“As the Seychelles increases in popularity, thanks to new flight routes, we are seeing a growth in demand and specifically for multi-island packages,” says Sheryl Drane, Regional Destination Manager for the Indian Ocean at Hayes & Jarvis. “It’s quite easy to get from one to the next, so it’s not surprising that people want to see more of these paradise islands on a single trip.”
Travel 2 reports encouraging growth this year with sales focused mainly on fourand five-star hotels in Mahé and Praslin, says Mark Mallinson, Senior Product Manager, Indian Ocean.
Sustainability is key to the Seychelles’ future and the country has already banned plastic bags and utensils. A ban on singleuse plastic straws comes into force in June.
Easy Seychelles sells
Up for the cuppa: Take it with mint, cinnamon or spices at the SeyTe tea factory on the slopes of Morne Blanc, Mahé and enjoy stunning plantation views.
Hire a boat: Your clients can explore Mahé’s secret coves or cruise over to unspoilt Sainte Anne national park for an afternoon on one of its beaches.
See a turtle lay her eggs: The Seychelles has many hatching sites. Hotels such as Constance Lemuria Praslin have ‘turtle wardens’ to teach you about their nests, laying habits and habitat.
“We encourage islandhopping for any clients booking the Seychelles. The honeymoon market in particular is really tapping into the whole experience as it provides a true Robinson Crusoe feel” Nikki Hain, Premier Holidays
Go on a coral snorkelling safari: The Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa offers one and Desroches Island, the Aquarium and Passe Tambi are top spots for seeing turtles and stingrays.
What’s new?
Trade: The Seychelles Tourism Board is holding a roadshow March 12-14, 2019 in Chester, Glasgow and Aberdeen and will host another in October.
Agents can earn between £25 and £150 in shopping vouchers for every Premier Holidays’ ( trade.premierholidays.co.uk) Seychelles promotional deal they sell in March. Hotels: The luxury Cosmoledo Eco Camp ( bluesafari.com) opened on Wizard Island in the remote Outer Aldabra islands last November. It has eight luxury eco-pods and offers fly fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling and stand-up paddle boarding. Flights from Mahé go via Alphonse.
The five-star Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa ( hilton.com/Seychelles) on Mahé has opened a coral nursery along Beau Vallon to protect marine life.
Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa
( hiltonseychelleslabriz.com) on Silhouette island is ramping up its sustainability efforts with initiatives focusing on wellness, farm-tofork dining and eco travel. Tour operators: Ramblers ( cruiseandwalk.
co.uk) has introduced a 17-night Cape Town to Seychelles holiday to its Cruise & Walk brochure, departing on October 29. Cruises: Dream Yacht Charter
( dreamyachtcharter.co.uk) has added six-berth catamarans to its fleet in Praslin. An eightday cruise, which can be sold by the cabin, operates out of Mahé and visits Coco Island, La Digue and Curieuse.
Crystal Esprit ( cystalcruises.co.uk) will begin seven-night Seychelles Yachting Serenade all-inclusive itineraries to and from Mahé in January 2020. The all-suite ship will visit St Anne Island, Cousin, Praslin, La Digue, Curieuse and Aride.
Tourism talk
“The UK continues to be one of Seychelles’ most important source markets. After a whopping increase of 16% in UK visitors in 2018, we look forward to more positive results this year, helping us to achieve our goals of sustainable visitation and increased spend.” Christine Vel, Seychelles Tourist Office, UK & Ireland Director
Where to book it
RED SAVANNAH – 01242 787 800 Seven nights at the Cosmoledo Eco Camp on Wizard Island costs from £4,778pp and includes all meals, inter-island transfers, wine with dinner, non-motorised sports and fishing equipment. redsavannah.com
HAYES & JARVIS – 01293 762 456
A 12-night island hopping holiday starts from £4,049pp, departing October 18, and includes four nights’ B&B in Praslin, La Digue and Mahe, internal flights, ferry and car transfers and flights from London Gatwick with Emirates. hayesandjarvis.co.uk
“As the Seychelles increases in popularity, thanks to new flight routes, we are seeing a growth in demand specifically for multi-island packages”
Sheryl Drane, Hayes & Jarvis