The Seychelles Tourism Board and Air Seychelles have revealed plans to work together as part of a drive to enhance the Seychelles tourism offering.

Sherin Naiken the chief executive of the tourism board and recently appointed chief executive of Air Seychelles, Manoj Papa, convened on Monday morning to discuss ways in which the two organisations could co-operate.

During the meeting, Air Seychelles discussed on its new operations which are coming up, and how it can work with the tourism board to plan the marketing ahead.

Miss Naiken took the opportunity to talk about the tourism board’s plan and activities for the rest of the year.

Manoj Papa, CEO of Air Seychelles with Sherin Naiken CEO of Seychelles Tourism

Air Seychelles is in a stronger position than ever, with our routes, new aircraft on order and new services across the network.

The carrier was recently nominated for Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline - Business Class, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline Lounge and Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew in 2014 by the   World Travel Awards, highlighted some of its new operations which in the pipeline.

Air Seychelles recently extended its codeshare deal with Etihad – recently named Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline - First Class and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew by the World Travel Awards - to include the island carrier’s new services between Paris and Abu Dhabi.

Operated by Air Seychelles’ brightly-coloured Airbus A330-200 aircraft featuring 18 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 236 seats in Economy Class, the Air Seychelles flights link the French capital’s Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport twice weekly with the Seychelles via Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the deal, Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Etihad Airways, said:  “Our partner Air Seychelles’ return to Paris marks another milestone in its journey of growing its international operations by flying to and from more key destinations.

Meanwhile there are exciting new plans in place for the Seychelles with a number of recent and planned hotel openings and new airlift.

Emirates announced plans to step up its operations to the Seychelles by increasing services to double daily later this year.

The introduction of two more flights per week on the route into the Seychelles will increase the existing 12 scheduled flights to fourteen bringing operations to double daily from the October 28th this year.

Earlier this year The Savoy Resort & Spa opened its doors on the famous Beau Vallon Beach, the longest and most beautiful stretch of beach on the Seychelles’ island, Mahé. The five‐star hotel has a total of 163 modern and roomy double accommodations, including 18 junior and nine regular suites, as well as a penthouse.

Minor Hotel Group announced it will add a resort in the Seychelles to its portfolio with the opening of AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa. Currently closed for an eight month renovation, the resort, which was formerly operated as Le Meridien Barbarons Beach Hotel, will re-open in the fourth quarter of 2014 following a USD8 million refurbishment.

Hilton Worldwide opened its 30 room Double Tree by Hilton Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa, its third resort in the Republic of the Seychelles

Earlier this year the stunning Raffles Praslin was nominated as Seychelles’ Leading Hotel by the World Travel Awards. Located on the island of Praslin, the all-villas luxury resort hotel, Raffles Praslin, offers exclusive accommodation in stunning natural settings.

Meanwhile JA Resorts - named Middle East’s Leading Serviced Apartments Brand by the World Travel Awards this year - has made its first foray into the Seychelles. The five-star Enchanted Island Resort features eight one-bedroom Private Pool Villas and two two-bedroom Enchanted Signature Villas, designed to reflect the island’s traditional Creole-Seychellois architecture.

It is situated on an island in the middle of a National Marine Park and can be booked on an individual or exclusive basis.

Each villa features a private infinity pool, walkway to the beach, deck, outdoor rain shower, French bathtub, four-poster king size bed, LED screen with satellite channels, DVD player, iPod docking station and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.

F&B outlets include the Bounty Restaurant, which overlooks the resort’s main swimming pool and the Castaway Bar. In-villa dining is also available.

With more exciting developments in the pipeline the tourist board and Air Seychelles will continue to work together in order to improve the offerings of Seychelles.

Mr. Papa has hailed the good work the Seychelles Tourism Board has been doing in supporting the national airline, adding that the recent meeting and working session will serve to strengthen the relationship which exists between the two organizations..

“Unity provides strength, and now more than ever given all the challenges being faced in the islands’ key markets, there is a need to unite in our efforts,” Miss Naiken said.

Miss Naiken added that it is important to stay focused on the common goal of the country.

She said the Tourism Board is encouraged by this new dynamism and hopes this partnership will be strengthened, and that their marketing efforts will be greater

“I believe if we have received the unconditional support and commitment of Air Seychelles, especially on our key market, it will give the added boost for our marketing efforts,” she said.

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .