Air Seychelles, Destination Seychelles showcased at India’s largest travel trade show |26 March 2022

Air Seychelles representatives with GSA team members

Air Seychelles together with Tourism Seychelles have recently taken part in OTM, India’s most important international gathering involving travel trade buyers and tourism professionals from India and across Asia.

Featuring more than 50 countries, 1,500 trade visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors, the annual event held in the busiest financial city of Mumbai proceeded between March 16 and 18, 2022.

Besides providing both the airline and Tourism Seychelles the platform to promote their services, products, and best travel options to paradise, visitors at the fair also had the chance to receive adequate information in regards to Seychelles’ entry requirements, now that PCR test is no longer necessary for vaccinated travellers.

Following the long absence in travelling to and from India, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, forging new relationships to further boost travel confidence to Seychelles, the team also met with several potential partners aside from the covenant local travel trade members, in recognition of their continuous support and cooperation.

Charles Johnson, chief commercial officer of Air Seychelles, said: “India is one of the fastest growing travel markets in the world, and since Air Seychelles offers direct flights to its home island on this route, it was very important for the airline jointly with Tourism Seychelles to be present at the OTM.

“Face-to-face trade fairs were almost at a standstill due to the pandemic, and now with the ease in restrictions, reaffirming its commitment to the huge business and leisure market, participating in such events will definitely enable Air Seychelles to restart its plan of activities in India, in addition to focusing on one common marketing strategy with Tourism Seychelles, to grow the presence of Air Seychelles and destination Seychelles further.”

Amia Jovanovic-Desir, director for India with tourism department, stated that the destination’s participation in the event was crucial to reconnect with the Indian trade partners and potential customers.

“Our participation at the OTM Mumbai was essential as it reaffirmed our commitment to reposition Seychelles as an ideal tourist destination to the Indian trade and consumers.

“It is to mention that Seychelles has lost some percentage of the market share since there were limitations for the Indian visitors to travel to Seychelles due to the pandemic restrictions. Our presence at this trade show has afforded us the opportunity to reassure our Indian partners of all the necessary measures and protocols that are in place and our local partners are ready to welcome them,” said Mrs Jovanovic-Desir.

Air Seychelles was represented at the OTM by chief commercial officer Charles Johnson, sales manager Eliza Moïse, manager network planning and aero-politics, Joshua Larue and representatives from its general sales agent based in India, Bird Travels Private Limited.

Throughout the trip the airline’s representatives also met with their counterparts from Air India to revitalise its codeshare partnership on the airlines’ domestic services offering guests greater choice and connectivity from India to the Seychelles.

Press release from Air Seychelles