The Seychelles Tourism Board, Middle East Office, in conjunction with Etihad Airways, conducted a series of corporate educational seminars to 90 key corporate clients in Dammam, Riyadh, and Jeddah Saudi Arabia during the month of May 2012 to attract traffic ahead of the summer season and Ramadan

A destination presentation was conducted in each city highlighting the USPs of Seychelles and what Seychelles does to welcome the Middle East market. These seminars served as a strong platform to equip the corporate partners with sound knowledge while enticing them to consider Seychelles for their next holiday destination.

“Seychelles Tourism Board, Middle East, has been working closely with Etihad Airways since they commenced their operation to the Seychelles in November 2011. The KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] joint corporate event provided us with an opportunity to further increase the awareness of the destination and to strengthen the relationship amongst the top key corporate clients. This event was considered to be the start of a series of joint activity plans in KSA,” said Ahmed Fathallah, Regional Manager, Seychelles Tourism Office, Middle East.

“Mr. Fareed Al-Alawai, Area General Manager, and Mr. Shehab Turk, Manager - Business Development of Etihad Airways KSA, joined the Seychelles Tourism Office for the entire venture and shared the news of their partnership with Air Seychelles, as well as Etihad Airways’ upcoming plans and services,” said Fathallah.

“As we concluded Etihad Airways/Seychelles Tourism Board’s first corporate event in KSA, we are looking forward to building our strategic partnership. Partnership is the fastest way to persuade a business,” said Shehab Turk.

Each seminar included a hosted dinner, and hotel prizes were given away sponsored by Banyan Tree Seychelles, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Raffles Praslin, and flight tickets from Etihad Airways to the Seychelles.