Seychelles saw a major increase in tourist arrivals in 2010 with 174 529 visitors.
Core markets in Europe pulled the highest number of tourists, contributing in great part to the high figure. The numbers represent a 10% growth on 2009’s 157 541 arrivals, an increase of almost 17 000.
France, Italy, Germany and the UK continue to lead as the top-performing markets but good performances have also been recorded from smaller markets like South Africa.
Russia has emerged as a potential market, which was ranked as Seychelles’ sixth best market behind France, Italy, Germany, UK and South Africa.
According to the Seychelles Tourism Board, the African continent is showing signs of becoming a strong source market for Seychelles after Europe. South Africa set its own record in 2010 and has a booming year ahead.
Seychelles now has two tourist offices in South Africa and the Seychelles Tourism Board also stepped up marketing activities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda last year.
CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Alain St Ange, has said that the new record achievement is the result of hard work by all stakeholders in the tourism industry.