First direct China-Seychelles flights mooted
A Chinese tour operator has expressed interest in chartering direct flights from Beijing to the Seychelles next year.
AISSA Touristic, a Chinese tour company with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Paris and Frankfurt has been in discussion with the Seychelles minister of tourism and culture, Alain St Ange about the proposed service to begin in October 2015.
The tour operator is currently in the process of acquiring a wide-body Airbus A320.
"The Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s dream is to have direct non-stop flights to Seychelles from China. It is something that we dearly want to see for the continued growth of our tourism industry," St Ange said.
China is the fifth largest source market for overseas tourists, and more importantly is the fastest growing market, up 77% this year so far.
The minister also responded to cancellations from some Chinese travellers due to Ebola, and sought to calm fears with a geography lesson.
"Ebola is on the west coast of Africa, we sit off the east coast of Africa. Yes, Seychelles remains part of Africa, but we live our lives as a small island nation well outside all the difficulties that are ravaging this continent," St Ange said.
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