Seychelles witness growth in visitor arrivals

Seychelles Tourism recently released its tourist arrivals for year-to-date of 2013. The destination received a total of 5,640 tourists during the week ending 18 August 2013. The year to date figure for 2013 shows that 145,438 visitors arrived in Seychelles. This figure was 14% above the 2012 figure (128,015). Overall visitor arrivals from Europe increased by 12% compared to 2012. An analysis of arrivals shows significant increases in visitors from main European markets. There were increases in visitors from France and UK & Eire (both 16%), Germany (26%) and Russia (six percent). A decrease was recorded in visitors from Italy (-7%). Visitors from Africa increased by nine percent in 2013 compared to 2012. An increase of eight percent was also recorded in number of visitors from South Africa. Asia recorded a 27% increase in visitor arrivals, with UAE and China recording increases of 16% and 68% respectively above the same period of 2012. Visitors from America increased by 11% whereas from Oceania, an increase of 20% was recorded in the visitors arriving in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. The number of holidaymakers visiting Seychelles in 2013 was 14% above the 2012 level. The number of visitors on business or combining business with a holiday was 19% above the 2012 level and the number in transit was 9% below the 2012 level. Leading markets to date: France 23,951 Germany 20,760 Italy 14,369 Russia 9,511 UAE 9,101 UK & Eire 7,904 Source: Travel Daily