Tourism Seychelles and Ethiopian Airlines strengthen partnership to boost destination visibility and sales   |26 April 2023

(L to r) Ms Vital, Mr Terefa, PS Francis and Mrs Willemin

Tourism Seychelles and Ethiopian Airlines are reinforcing their ties to increase visibility for the destination and enhance market share for the airline.

During a recent courtesy visit paid by the Ethiopian Airlines country manager in Seychelles at Botanical House on Wednesday last week, both parties discussed strategies to strengthen their relationship. 

Kassahun Terefa, the new local head of the airlines, was accompanied by Doreen Vital, who is part of the Ethiopian Airlines team in Seychelles and met with the principal secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis, and the director general for Destination Marketing, Bernadette Willemin.

Addressing the Ethiopian Airlines team, Mrs Francis stressed the importance of joining forces to make the destination visible and enhance sales for the airline. 

“We have had several successful collaborations with Ethiopian Airlines, and it has proven to be extremely reliable and service-oriented. Ethiopia is an important hub with excellent connections, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with the airline,” Mrs Francis added.  

The courtesy call follows a recent visit made by Mrs Francis and Mrs Willemin to the airline's headquarters in Addis Ababa in March this year to discuss areas of cooperation and a potential memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing.  

PS Francis and Mrs Willemin met with the group chief executive, Mesfin Tasew, the chief commercial officer, Lemma Yadecha Gudeta and the vice-president at ET Holiday & Digital, Hailemelekot Mamo.

During their visit, they stayed in the new wing of the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, owned by Ethiopian Airlines, where they experienced the outstanding facilities and beautiful property in the vicinity of the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Mrs Willemin expressed her satisfaction with the visit and highlighted the importance of making Seychelles more accessible to potential visitors worldwide.

“This meeting cements what was discussed in Addis. We are now signing an MoU with Ethiopian Airlines to advance to the next level.”

On his part, Mr Terefa expressed his dedication to promoting Seychelles as a critical market for their network. “We are pleased to cooperate with our local partners and continue to promote Seychelles,” he said.

Ethiopian Airlines began its flights to Seychelles in 2013 and is anticipating a second daily flight to the destination.

Press release from Tourism Seychelles