Now that Seychelles has carved a reputation for being one of the top destinations of the world, it is working towards a more events-based destination, which diversifies its attractions and aims to pull more tourists to the islands.

A new program detailing the different tourism events for next year, as well as important events at the national level, has been launched.

The biggest event on the calendar is no doubt the Seychelles’ Carnaval International de Victoria whose first edition was held in March this year and which was an overwhelming success. Several countries and international groups descended on Seychelles especially for this celebration of different cultures and where the community of nations met under the theme, “The Melting Pot of Cultures,” and participated in the carnival parade alongside delegations from the best carnivals of the world.

Seychelles also organizes a number of international events such as the Eco Healing Marathon; the Seychelles Regatta; and SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea.

The 2012 calendar starts off with the Eco Healing Marathon in February where international and local runners run different courses of the marathon. This is organized alongside a Korean Night.

The month of March is dominated by the “carnival of all carnivals,” which will see its second edition from March 2-4, 2012.

There are no events in April and May, but the momentum picks up again in June, which is usually a busy month in Seychelles.

The fourth edition of the Seychelles Regatta, where local sailors rub shoulders with some of the great names in the world of sailing, will take place from June 2-9. This will be another occasion for international sailors to compete in the safe and clean blue waters of Seychelles while also discovering the inner islands of the archipelago.

The other two events for the month are the National Day of Seychelles on June 18 and the Independence Day on June 28. The latter is traditionally dominated by the Inter-Schools’ Athletics Competition.

New on the events calendar next year will be the Miss Seychelles Contest, which will, for the first time, fall under the responsibilities of the Seychelles Tourism Board. The beauty pageant has been dormant for years but is expected to kick back in July 2012, and the islands’ beauty queen will take her place in the Miss World contest. Miss Seychelles is set to also be invited to become the face of the islands and participate at some of the tourism trade fairs.

That month also will see another new event called the Samoan Circus.

August is dominated by the “Feast of the Assumption” on La Digue island on August 15 and in which the Seychelles Tourism Board is now a partner. This unique island feast is popular with the Seychellois as a down-to-earth, community-based celebration. The event draws people from all over Seychelles, especially those originating from that particular island, for a very special “homecoming.” The “La Digue feast” comprises the very traditional open-air mass, which is followed by a range of colorful activities and celebrations all over the island.

Seychelles also joins the rest of the world in marking World Tourism Day on September 27 and has even incorporated a number of other events into a Tourism Week. The Tourism Ball, an event held during World Tourism Week, has grown bigger and better and is now called the Seychelles Ball. This event, which brings the government and all tourism stakeholders together in a celebrating and social atmosphere will take place on September 22.

October is dominated by the Creole Festival, which is a week-long celebration marking the islands’ cultural heritage. It is organized by the Seychelles Ministry of Culture along with other partners, such as the Seychelles Tourism Board, and will take place from October 25-31.

SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea, takes place from November 2-4. This is a platform to showcase the islands’ magnificent marine heritage through a range of marine-oriented activities, but the main highlight remains the image and film competitions. This event is hosted with Asia Geographic and its group of magazines as the Official Publication.

The events calendar for next year finishes with the Christmas Classical Music Concert on December 22.