The chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Alain St Ange, has said Germany is a very important market for Seychelles and it is important that industry professionals are aware what’s happening and what’s new on the islands.

Mr St Ange was speaking during an interview with the Touristik Aktuell, a weekly magazine for travel agents and the tourism trade in Germany.

Answering questions from the editor Thomas Riebesehl, Mr St Ange said that today Seychelles is the most sought-after holiday destination in the world.  It is thus important, he noted, that the country continues to market its unique selling points and keep the destination in the minds of potential travellers.

“Seychelles is today very protective of its tourism industry which remains the pillar of its economy. We need our industry to work because we depend on it,” he said, adding: “This is why we are always on the move and working to be as innovative as we can be to keep being ahead and a leader in the world of tourism.”

Mr St Ange continued that travel trade professionals need to be updated and made aware of new happenings and new products, so that they can in turn relate to clients.

It is also important for clients to know how to get here and what are their options, he added.

“We needed to make it known that we have opened our airspace and that by November, we shall be having (over and above our weekly Condor flight), 14 Emirates, seven Qatar, and four Etihad flights per week,” he explained.

Mr St Ange, who champions a very active visibility campaign for Seychelles, said that Seychelles need to be seen in the press everywhere so that people get to know that the islands exist and what they offer.

“We are always willing to host journalists on our islands as we believe they will become ambassadors of Seychelles once they set foot on the islands, because the beauty of the islands are exceptional and the people are some of the most welcoming,” he said.

Touristik Aktuell is one of the most respected tourism trade publications of Germany.