[ INSIDE Seychelles page 10 ]
The Russian market
Karen Confait - Manager for Scandinavia, Russia CIS & Eastern Europe
The Russian market still remains one of the top 5 European markets for Seychelles after France, Germany, Italy & UK, despite the economic downturn last year. Over the past five years we have seen an average increase of 39% from this market, from 2010 to 2014 Unfortunately, during 2015, external factors namely the Ukraine crisis and the devaluation of the ruble impacted negatively on the performance of the market with the dynamics of the ruble primarily being determined by the fluctuations of the oil market. Consequently, the arrival figures to Seychelles for 2016 dropped from the beginning of the year to date by 9% even though the Russian market overtook the rest of the world during the first two weeks in January occupying the pole position due to the extended Russian holidays and Russian New Year. Though the market is still on the decrease, the overall outlook is not totally bleak; there is still a market segment which continues to travel long haul, which also has the purchasing power and can afford travel to the Seychelles. Moreover, the holiday budget among Russian and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) tourists has increased by almost 29% in 2015 vs 2014. As a result, the Seychelles Tourism Board re-strategized, adapted our business model and developed the appropriate action plan to tap into this segment. Overall we have managed to minimize the effect and proportionally secured better results compared to other competing destinations. Our short term objective is to arrest the decline and stabilize the business from this part of the world.
Guided mountain walks with Basil Beaudoin
See the flora and fauna, unique to Seychelles with the aid of expert mountain guide Basil Beaudoin. For more information please call 4241790 or 2514972 or email us on patrickbeaudoin3@gmail.com