Participants and exhibitors exchanged information on the current market conditions, the safety protocols being implemented by local stakeholders in Seychelles as well as developments regarding new products within the destination.

The roadshow was being held for the first time since 2018 said the Tourism Seychelles Regional Director for Africa & the Americas, David Germain. “In 2019 and 2020, we were not able to go ahead with the roadshow, but as the pandemic persists, we decided to conduct the event virtually, to the satisfaction of all our trade partners and participants who participated,” Mr Germain said.

Interest in Seychelles remains high in the United States despite the pandemic, he confirmed, especially amongst travellers venturing far afield to African and Middle East countries on vacation, and thereafter travelling to Seychelles as an extension to their holiday. 1,934 visitors from the United States have visited Seychelles so far this year up to 18 July.

“Many US travellers are vaccinated against COVID-19, and we are now highlighting the world-class protocols Seychelles has in place to safely host visitors,” Mr Germain, who reassured travel partners that Seychelles remains the perfect destination where the safety of visitors is not compromised, said.

Normally travelling to four different North American cities since its inaugural edition in June 2018, the “Seychelles North America Roadshow” comprised a series of workshops which took in the US cities of Washington DC, Fort Lauderdale, Orange County and San Diego, California. Those US cities have in the past proven to be very productive for Seychelles, with many travel professionals converging to meet in person with the exhibitors and obtaining updated information about Seychelles’ products and services, Mr Germain said.

Despite COVID-19, Tourism Seychelles is continuing its mission to establish strong relationships with its travel trade partners in North America, and a second edition of this year’s Virtual Roadshow will be held on Wednesday, 18th August 2021.