The Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs Sherin Francis and the Chairperson of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA), Mrs Sybille Cardon, represented Seychelles at the Air Route Development Masterclass, which took place as part of the AviaDev Africa Conference held from June 19 to 21, 2024, in Windhoek, Namibia.
The masterclass, themed “Hunting in Packs: Actively Engaging Stakeholders in Route Development,” delved into effective strategies for air route expansion and tourism growth. Organised under the auspices of the prestigious AviaDev Africa Conference, the premier platform for aviation and tourism development in Africa, the event was also attended by the CEO of Air Seychelles, Sandy Benoiton, and the Chief Commercial Officer, Charles Johnson.
Mrs Francis was invited to share case studies from Seychelles on strategic collaborations between tourism authorities, airlines, and airport management. These case studies demonstrated how targeted partnerships and innovative marketing strategies have significantly boosted Seychelles’ tourism sector.
The workshop covered critical topics such as building strong partnerships between airlines and destination management organisations, leveraging passenger data for marketing, and overcoming administrative hurdles to facilitate travel. These discussions underscored the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable air connectivity.
The conference, attended by over 35 airlines and 400 participants, provided a platform for the private sector, tourism, and airport authorities to network with airlines and other stakeholders on air route development.
Seychelles’ presence at the conference underscores its commitment to enhancing air connectivity and tourism growth. The insights gained will be pivotal in furthering route development strategies for Seychelles.
