Seychelles signs on as routes Africa 2012 host

The Seychelles Tourism Board has officially signed as the host for the 7th Routes Africa event which will take place July 8th-10th 2012 in the Seychelles capital Victoria. The Tourism Board will work in partnership with the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority to deliver this key aviation industry event. Routes Africa will bring together route development professionals from across Africa, the Middle East and beyond to discuss the latest developments within the region and establish potential for new air traffic routes to, from and within Africa. This annual event is the only network development forum for the entire African region and, this year, will build on the successes of previous events. Katie Bland, Routes’ future hosts director stated: “We are delighted to announce the Seychelles as the host of Routes Africa 2012. “The Seychelles team’s passion, professionalism and commitment to air service development combined with the suite of excellent facilities available in the Seychelles and the stunning backdrop convinced us that they were the right choice for this year’s event. “We anticipate more than 150 delegates to attend the event including up to 30 airline network planners.” The Seychelles Tourism Board and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority have confirmed that they are proud to have been successful in bringing Routes Africa 2012 to Seychelles and to the Indian Ocean. “This confirms that within the idyllic backdrop, the mid ocean islands of the Seychelles there is more to offer than just a holiday destination,” said Elsia Grandcourt chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board “The team at the Tourism Board and the Civil Aviation Authority is fully committed and they are convinced that this highly important conference comes at an opportune time when Seychelles is repositioning itself as being accessible as never before and pushing to establishing new air access opportunities to the destination.” Ten international carriers from a number of international hubs in Africa, Europe and the Middle East provide connections to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ). Continuous growth over the last few years, consistent with the increase in air services, has resulted in almost 250,000 passengers using the airport in 2011. The airport is also a hub for inter-island travel and provides quick and convenient domestic flights, operated by Air Seychelles, throughout the day to Praslin Island. SEZ is currently celebrating 40 years since the first commercial aircraft landed, which also marks the beginning of aviation and tourism development in the Seychelles, and moving forward it plans to develop and grow to become a hub in the Indian Ocean. Hosting Routes Africa in 2012 provides the perfect opportunity to show the region what the Seychelles has to offer as they aim to grow traffic and tourism numbers to their shores.