H.E James Michel, President of Republic of Seychelles gave a Press conference to Indian Press, reinforcing Indo-Seychelles bilateral relations and the need to pave the way for greater partnership to promote tourism between both countries.
President James Michel's Press conference came on the third day of his historic state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
During the Press conference, attended by Alain St Ange Minister for Tourism and Culture, Joel Morgan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, Roy Kinnear Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles and Lubaina Sheerazi, COO Blue Square Consultants for Seychelles Tourism Board Office in India , President Michel hailed India’s unparalleled out bound tourism potential. He said both countries recognised the need to bring their economies closer, to drive more growth and create opportunities for entrepreneurs of both nations and wealth for its peoples.
President Michel said India represents a dominant player in Seychelles' tourism industry, with recorded growth of Indian tourists by 125 % between Jan-July 2015 compared to the same period last year.
He gave his commitment that the government of Seychelles will continue to strive to maintain the islands as an aspirational tourism destination.
“India is a close friend of Seychelles, there is great potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges between both countries. Seychelles’ relationship with India has been built on the foundation of mutual trust and shared values. Our strong, multifaceted and important relationship with India, occupies a very important place in our foreign policy. We have longstanding bilateral relations based on our commitment to sustainable development.” Said The President of Seychelles, H.E. James Michel.
Alain St Ange Minister for Tourism and Culture and Joel Morgan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Transport spoke about India’s emerging as a dominating player in Seychelles burgeoning tourism industry and outlined key development taking place between India and Seychelles in the field of foreign affairs and air connectivity.
Minister St Ange said visiting Seychelles is for Indians a unique experience.
“Seychelles is all about once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It definitely makes for an exotic holiday destination and India has been a dominant player in Seychelles tourism. With increased and easy connectivity, visa on arrival and gratis for Indians Seychelles is a preferred and hassle-free destination. We welcome all our Indian friends to the islands to experience our beaches, coral reefs, diving, nature reserves, rainforest, and rare wildlife, and also thank them for their continued support” said Minister Alain St.Ange Minister of Tourism and Culture.
He also spoke of India’s film industry which he said is a good market strategy for Seychelles to drive more Indian visitors to its shores.
Seychelles has also caught the attention of Bollywood after nearly two decades. Seychelles Tourism Board and Air Seychelles recently teamed up to support the filming of Rocky Handsome, a Bollywood action thriller in Seychelles starring Mr. John Abraham. We hope to attract more attention in the future and collaborate further with the Indian film fraternity.” He added
Since the launch of Air Seychelles direct four weekly flights to Mumbai, air connectivity has improved significantly.
Roy Kinnear Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles announced an increase in flight frequencies on the Seychelles- Mumbai route.
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