Seychelles national airline and Destination Seychelles showcased at India's largest travel trade show

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

Featuring more than 50 countries, 1500 trade visitors and over 1000 exhibitors, the annual event held in the busiest financial city, Mumbai, proceeded between 16 and 18 March, 2022.

Besides providing both the airline and Tourism Seychelles the platform to promote its 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 travelers.

Following the long absence in traveling to and from India, due to the pandemic, forging new relationships, to further boost travel confidence to the 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, the Director for India, stated that the destination’s participation to 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 Moise, 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 also met with representatives from Air India, to revitalise its codeshare partnership on the airlines' domestic services offering guests greater choice and connectivity from India to the Seychelles.