The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Director for Africa, UAE, and the Americas, David Germain, led a small Seychelles tourism delegation at the ABAV Feira das Américas Exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in South America. The ABAV Exhibition took place from October 16-19, and Mr. Germain was joined by Mason’s Travel’s Sales Manager, Agatha Antignani, and 7°South’s Assistant Operations Manager, Kenneth Jeannevol, at this important tourism exhibition in South America.

The Seychelles delegation returned home last week satisfied and very optimistic that visitor arrivals from South America ( more specifically Brazil ) will grow in the future at a faster pace than before.

“The Brazilian Travel Trade [is] confident that Seychelles can be the ‘new’ exotic destination for the Brazilian traveler from 2012 onwards. The meetings went well with the local trade partners from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and the North American tour operators present,” said Mr. Germain. “The volume of long-haul holiday tourists and first-time visitors is increasing in Brazil, and Seychelles has the potential to exploit its strength as a ‘choice’ holiday destination to the Brazilian market, as all components are in place, including our major airline partners, such as Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines, who are both flying directly to Brazil and Argentina respectively,” he said.

Mr. Germain had meetings with Mr. Renato Hagopian, the Sales Manager of Qatar Airways in Rio de Janeiro, and Mr. Ralf Aasmann, the Area Manager of Emirates Airline in Brazil. They discussed joint promotional activities for 2012, and both airlines are keen to work together with the STB in South America.

Seychelles’ participation at the ABAV trade show forms part of the Seychelles Tourism Board’s focus and action plan for an increased market share from the Americas in future, working with its partners as much as possible to offer South American travelers different holiday package options to visit Seychelles, such as the “Dubai/Seychelles” and “Africa/Seychelles” holiday package.

Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, and South African Airways are all flying directly to Brazil and Argentina from Dubai, Doha, and Johannesburg, respectively, providing good connections to Seychelles.