The Seychelles delegates attending the 5th ITB Asia in Singapore has this year seen even greater interests in the destination and its services on offer from the Asian travel market who have been eager to know more about the islands and looking to forge new business partnership.

Organized by Messe Berlin, who is also responsible for holding the ITB Berlin, ITB Asia 2012 was launched with a grand opening ceremony in celebration of its 5th anniversary on October 17 in the presence of Singapore’s Second Minster for Home and Trade&Industry, Mr S. Iswaran, who also visited the Seychelles stand during his official tour of the expo. Taking place for three days, the event concluded on October 19. This travel trade show was hosted at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

This year’s Seychelles delegation was being led by the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Elsia Grandcourt, who was accompanied by her Senior Marketing Executive, Stephanie Lablache, and PR&Communications Officer, Line Mancienne. Working together with the Seychelles Tourism Board at this trade fair, were trade partners Mason’s Travel with its representative Jessica Giroux ( [email protected] ) and Hilda Camille ([email protected] ), Air Seychelles who was represented by Robin Middleton ( [email protected] ) and Martin Suresh ( [email protected] ), and 7°South ( [email protected] ).

Participating for the second time at ITB Asia, with 2011 being the first time that Seychelles showcased itself at this fair, the Seychelles delegation has seen an overwhelming increase in interest in the islands from the region’s tourism and travel operators, resulting in the country’s stand being busier than last year.
According to Ms Giroux of Mason’s Travel, ITB Asia 2012 has provided Mason’s Travel with excellent opportunities to meet with their Asian partners and develop new business connections.

“The Asian market is very promising for Seychelles. Mason’s Travel is committed to investing in and developing business from this region for our islands,” she said.
In his welcome message for the ITB Asia, the Secretary General of the UNWorld Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, has confirmed that the Asian region will see the biggest boost in outbound tourists between now and 2030.

Commenting on Seychelles’ participation at this year’s ITB Asia, CEO Elsia Grandcourt has said that the Seychelles Tourism Board remains optimistic over the potential of the Asian travel market for Seychelles.

“The growing interests we received at this year’s ITB Asia are even more encouraging for Seychelles. This year we saw more partners from the region looking to work Seychelles, as the islands is seen as the new destination for the discerning travelers of Asia,” she said.

“The Seychelles Tourism Board, along with its committed trade partners will continue to push for the visibility of the islands in this region to ensure that Seychelles captures its fair shares of Asia’s outbound travel market,” added the CEO.