IF you’re still deciding on where to go for your next tropical island break, help is at hand, says Ahmed Fathallah, regional manager of Seychelles Tourism Office in the Middle East. “Seychelles, a breathtakingly beautiful archipelago of 115 islands is only 4 and a half hours away and there’s not even the need for a visa.
While it’s true that Seychelles is renowned for having some of the most gorgeous beaches on earth, framed by some of the world’s oldest and most magnificent granite boulders, a Seychelles holiday is about so much more than just sun, sea and sand. “You will find some of the best fishing, diving, sailing, nature trails, golf, adventure and spas on the planet, where few have still ventured and where nature is very much as it was millions of years ago.” At the top end of the hospitality market are properties that offer ultimate luxury accommodation with personal butlers in exclusive and secluded villa-style accommodations with private swimming pools affording total privacy and exclusivity for the discerning traveller. With an increased focus on the needs of the Arabic traveller, key hotels and resorts now offer Arabic cuisine, Arabic-speaking staff as well as kids’ clubs and programmes for the family traveller. These hotels and resorts are flexible in their service offering and are able to meet the personalised service requirements of the discerning Middle East traveller.HOW TO GET THEREEmirates Airline offers seven flights a week to the Seychelles, Etihad Airways operates three flights a week to the destination and Air Seychelles does seven flights a week to the country. GOOD TIME TO VISITAlthough the Seychelles is blessed with the perfect weather around the year, with temperatures ranging between 24° and 32° Celsius, the southeast trade winds from May until September, ensure a drier and cooler climate. Unlike its Indian Ocean neighbours, the Seychelles lies beyond the cyclone belt. The tourist season extends all year round, with peaks corresponding to holiday time in Europe.WHAT TO DOApart from lounging about endlessly on the beach, the Seychelles offers various activities that can make for profitable holiday packages for travel operators:Sailing: Outside the cyclone belt and offering a year-round sailing season, moderate swells and gentle tides, there is no better way to enjoy Seychelles than by cruising its pristine waters by catamaran, keelboat, bareboat or kayak, to name but a few.Water sports: Enjoy a selection of water sports that includes water-skiing, parachute rides, jet-skis, banana rides, sailing and so much more at Beau Vallon bay. Non-motorised water sports are widely available at some resorts.Fishing: More than 1.4 million square kilometres of fishing grounds offer catches of marlin, giant barracuda, shark and other prize game fish. Whether saltwater fly-fishing, blue water fly-fishing or deep-sea fishing, you will be rewarded with some of the finest fishing in the ocean.Diving: Open the door to a vast world that lies between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator. Home to a marine extravaganza as diverse and vibrant as it is unique, the Inner Islands boast an abundance of marine life including butterflyfish, angelfish, soldierfish and squirrelfish among others and reefs that feature octopus, spiny lobster and a plethora of nudibranchs. Dive centres are located throughout Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.The Outer Islands offer rewarding experiences around the numerous coral atolls and sand cays accessible mainly by live-aboard charter yacht. There are dive centres located on the island of Desroches, famous for its caves and canyons, and also on Alphonse with its spectacular drop-off. Swimming and snorkelling: If you are not a diver, Seychelles offers exceptional swimming and snorkelling in the warm crystal waters of our marine parks and coastal shallows where a living aquarium awaits you.Flora and fauna: The Seychelles is a pristine sanctuary for diverse species of flora and fauna. The islands are home to an exciting diversity of birdlife that can be discovered in the wild or in specially designated reserves. Discover the treasures of this living natural history museum along its nature trails, through its breathtaking landscape, several national parks and other reserves and its increasing number of exciting eco-tourism ventures.Family friendly: Although the Seychelles enjoys an enviable reputation as the romantic destination of the tropics, it also proposes enticing holidays for families seeking glorious days packed with sea, sun and fun. A number of hotels throughout the islands have swimming pools and tennis courts and some also offer a range of water sports facilities, kiddies clubs and baby-sitting services.Pamper: From the signature treatments of dedicated spas offering relaxing massages with exotic herbal oils, scrubs, detox baths and invigorating wet-treatments to a full range of beauty and grooming services, Seychelles’ spas hold the answer to your complete renewal of mind, body and soul.