SUPPLEMENT SEYCHELLES
New
GET SMART
improved
Despite the recent
downturn in UK
visitor numbers, hotel
development continues in
the Seychelles, and with
more than 20 new properties due to
open in the next three years there is
plenty for agents to keep up with.
Most new hotels will be on Mahé,
the main island and seat of the
capital, and Praslin, the country’s
second island, and on the outlying
islands of the Sainte Anne Marine
National Park. Four Seasons,
Emirates, Shangri-La, Raffl es and
Sofi tel are among the groups
planning to open hotels on the
islands by 2011. Second hotels are
also scheduled from Beachcomber
and Constance Hotels. Although
The Seychelles Tourism Board
is launching an online training
programme in early 2009, aimed
at educating agents and operators
about the destination.
Seychelles SMART consists of
nine modules covering aspects of
the islands from its natural history
to tourism attractions, and has been
available offl ine to French agents
for some time. The training intends
to help trade partners increase
sales by becoming specialists.
48 | Travel Weekly | November 7 2008
The Seychelles is a hotbed of
hotel development and refurbishment.
Emily Bamber reports
and
they will be small branches in
keeping with the country’s lowimpact
development strategy, the
new properties will increase the
country’s tourism bedstock by
more than 3,000.
“The new hotels will be relatively
small developments and will add to
the Seychelles’ boutique hotel
portfolio,” said Seychelles Tourism
Board UK country manager Wendy
Betts. “The international names will
help expand our brand image.”
Plus many properties are being
refurbished. Sainte Anne Resort and
Spa near Mahé reopened in August
following a refi t that saw private pools
and sundecks added to 29 of the 87
villas. Two new restaurants opened,
bringing the on-site total to four, and
The move comes after it was
revealed that UK visitor numbers to
the Seychelles in the fi rst quarter of
the year were down 13% on the
same period in 2007.
STB UK country manager
Wendy Betts said: “We were looking
at total arrivals reaching 20,000 by
the end of next year, however, we
are reassessing this. The training
programme will allow us to develop
closer relationships with our trade
partners and help build sales.”
the Clarins spa was extended.
While many of the new hotels
are fi ve-star, specialist operator
Elite Vacations is seeing increased
demand for mid-range and
guesthouse properties.
Managing director Peter
Jackson said: “There has been a
more than 25% increase in bookings
for four-star-equivalent properties in
the last few months, whereas last
year fi ve-star luxury properties were
in demand.
“Perhaps people are tightening
their belts in terms of which hotels
they select, but the good news is
they haven’t stopped booking.”
Air Seychelles, which operates the
only direct service from the UK with
two fl ights a week between Heathrow
Sainte Anne Resort and Spa
reopened in August
and Mahé, is considering adding to
its winter 2009/10 schedule.
“There has been high demand for
our new Pearl business class,” said
Air Seychelles UK and Ireland sales
manager Mitchell Hawes.
While the islands continue
to appeal to couples, Betts said
they are also attracting families.
On average, visitors stay up to 12
days and ‘hop’ between at least
three islands. TW
HOTELS OPENING
IN 2009
● Allamanda Hotel
A 30-room hotel on Mahé.
tclub.com
● Round Island Resort
Ten chalets on an island off
Mahé. roundislandresort.com
● Ephelia Resort
Private pool villas on southern
Mahé. epheliaresort.com
● Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
A luxury 55-villa resort on
southern Mahé.
fourseasons.com
● Dhevatara Beach Resort
A four-star boutique hotel on
Praslin. dhevatara.com
● Beachcomber Praslin
A resort with 121 rooms,
kids’ club and spa.
beachcomber-hotels.com
www.travelweekly.co.uk
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