Bringing more visibility and creating awareness about the Seychelles islands were only two of the Seychelles Tourism Board’s (STB) missions during their participation at the New York Times Travel Show, which took place in New York, USA, from January 25, 2019 to January 27, 2019.
The destination was well represented at the travel show, where STB representatives brought the Seychelles Islands and its products directly to the doorstep of the tourism professionals in the United States of America. They provided support and assistance to the travel trade to better sell Seychelles in this part of the world.
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STB’s Director for Africa and the Americas, Mr. David Germain was present once again to meet the media, travel trade and consumers during the exhibition, held at the Jacob Javitt Convention Center. Joining him at the 2019 edition of the exhibition was the representative of Kenya Airways’ office in New York, Mr. Bob Mwaura.
The KQ Business Development Manager was at the STB Booth, promoting the Kenya’ and Seychelles’ Safari/Beach package options for travelers on Safari to Africa.
There has been significant increase in air access from Africa to the United States, with Kenya Airways operating five direct flights weekly from Nairobi, Kenya to JFK airport New York, since November last year.
Mr. Germain mentioned that it is important that Seychelles is represented at New York Times Travel Show, so as to consistently promote the destination in North America.
“This is the 6th time that the Seychelles participated at the New York Times Travel Show, an exhibition which brings together important African Travel Specialists, in search of product and destination information about Africa and the Indian Ocean islands,” said Mr. Germain.
The New York Times Travel Show, presented by American Express is a conference and exhibition for travel trade professionals and travel enthusiasts, gathering over 20,000 participants, the trade show featured over 200 exhibitors from over 130 countries from across the world.
“Flights are available, and the American travelers now have a lot of options to travel to Seychelles, via Europe, Africa and the Middle East,” said Mr. Germain.
STB continues to participate in consumer and trade exhibitions, conduct workshops, and provide as much ‘Seychelles training’ sessions as possible in North America, more respectively in Canada and the United States. In 2019, STB will conduct its first ‘Seychelles Roadshow’ in North America which will consists of a series of workshops in the cities of Washington DC, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego and Los Angeles.
Mr. Germain had meetings with different Press & Media, airline representatives and other trade partners present at the exhibition. This year, Seychelles will host North American Agents Familiarization visits, jointly with Kenya and Kenya airways, promoting the Safari and Beach Holiday packages.
STB is a member of APTA, the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa, and as well as a member of USTOA, the United States Tour Operator Association.
