Seychelles, a country in South Africa, sees a great potential in China travel market. Shanghai’s nearby cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou both represent a rising market. Travelers from these areas have high income and demand for premium and high-end travel experiences.
A two-day workshop was conducted in Hangzhou and Suzhou by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) in partnership with Best Island, a business-to-business (B2B) division of QULV.com.
The training sessions earlier this month was attended by 76 travel agents from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province and Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It was STB’s first time to hold intensive training in the two Chinese cities.
The Shanghai office of Ethiopian Airlines, the Constance Ephelia Seychelles and Constance Lemuria Resort were also at the event to provide assistance.
According to STB, it is important for them to grab the opportunities from emerging markets in China except for the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu.
However, the STB keeps on giving attention to these five cities for they provide the largest pool of outbound Chinese tourist market. To ensure the steady growth of Seychelles tourism market, the STB will conduct a series of projects this year.
During the 2017 Chinese New Year, Best Island has increased its Seychelles product sales by 12 percent. Best Island is one of STB’s important trade partners in China.
Jean-Luc Lai-Lam, the marketing manager of STB in China, said that the training was very productive. He explained that the training gave high-end trade partners an increased understanding of the products and services offered by Seychelles. It also gave their partners tools which will help them market the destination better.
Best Island’s Africa, Middle East & Islands department manager Ada Wang introduced the wide range of Seychelles product packages to travel agents participating in the workshop.
An overview of Seychelles tourist attractions and hotels was also given to participants by Sam Yu, an officer from STB’s Chinese office.
A Wedding Expo and a honeymoon package exhibition were held in Shanghai from March 11-12 shortly after the trade training sessions. Best Island sold a number of Seychelles holiday packages during the expo.
Seychelles is expecting an increase of tourists from the China travel market with the recent trade training.