Seychelles has taken a further step in its efforts to strengthen its relationship with Asia’s largest outbound travel market through a series of high-level engagements with the Sichuan Department of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Embassy, and Sichuan Airlines. Discussions focused on expanding air connectivity, trade, cultural exchange, and education.
Held as part of Tourism Seychelles’ structured programme of events, the meetings brought together key representatives from both countries’ public and private sectors. A key strategic session gathered Seychelles’ tourism and air tarvel leaders together with senior executives from Sichuan Airlines, with a focus on the newly launched Chengdu–Seychelles route.
The flight, which has already generated strong media buzz, has boosted interest in Seychelles as a premium destination, with cultural ties such as a shared love for spicy cuisine adding to its appeal.
Principal Secretary Mrs Sherin Francis highlighted Seychelles’ strength as an exclusive, enriching travel experience for discerning tourists.
“We may not be a high-volume destination, but what we offer is a distinctive and enriching experience that appeals to the discerning traveller,” she explained.
Discussions included opportunities to enhance aviation and ground services, explore future marketing collaborations, and position Sichuan as a potential hub for broader regional connections
On the Seychelles side, participants included Principal Secretary Sherin Francis; Director General for Destination Marketing Bernadette Willemin; Director for the China Market Jean-Luc Lai-Lam; Senior Market executive Sam Yu; Air Transport Manager Kurtis Lespoir; SCAA CEO Colin Chang-Tave; Air Seychelles CEO Sandy Benoiton; and COO Charles Johnson.
From Sichuan Airlines, the visiting delegation comprised Chairman Mr Li Yue; Chief Assistant to the General Managers Mr Wu Xiongzhi; Deputy General Manager of the Business Committee Mr Meng Zhongqiu; General Manager of the Auckland Branch of the Australia and New Zealand Marketing Centre Mr Zhang Shaoheng; and Mrs Ma Lu from the Foreign Affairs Management Department.
Also present for the engagements from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism were Mr Jiang Hai, Deputy Director General; Ms Cao Qian, Deputy Director of the Division of International Exchange and Cooperation; and Ms Lin Dan, Level-One Researcher from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. They held diplomatic discussions with Mr Mu Jianfeng, Counsellor, and Mr Du Jingxing, Attaché from the Chinese Embassy in Seychelles.
Both sides also discussed promoting outbound travel from Seychelles to Chengdu and enhancing awareness of Chengdu’s leisure offerings. Favourable travel policies for Seychellois visitors are being considered.
Plans are underway to scale up marketing collaboration, targeting Chinese through bespoke and focused campaigns. Educational exchange between the Seychelles Tourism Academy and institutions in Sichuan was also proposed to build hospitality skills and deepen cultural ties.
Further discussions included introducing Chinese signage at key tourism points and expanding outreach throughout the region. Seychelles aims to position itself as a distinctly different alternative to traditional beach destinations in Asia.
Looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of Seychelles-China relations in 2026, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in tourism, trade, education, and aviation.
