Seychelles is strengthening engagement with Gulf markets, airlines and travel partners as it pursues longer stays, higher visitor spending and more sustainable tourism growth.
Seychelles is placing Gulf markets at the centre of its efforts to attract higher-value visitors, with the Seychelles GCC strategy combining stronger aviation links, travel trade partnerships and broader destination positioning. Around six in ten international visitors currently reach the islands through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi.
The approach forms part of a wider shift from volume towards value. Seychelles wants to attract visitors who stay longer, explore more islands and spread their spending across local businesses and communities.
At Arabian Travel Market 2026, Seychelles Tourism Board is strengthening engagement with airlines, tour operators, travel agents, media and luxury travel specialists from the GCC and other international markets.
The programme includes plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Emirates. The agreement will build on the airline’s longstanding role in connecting Seychelles with Gulf and international markets.
Vesna Rakic, Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Tourism Board, said:
“The GCC is central to Seychelles’ tourism future, both as a source of high-value travellers and as an aviation bridge connecting our islands with the world,”
“Our partnership with Emirates has played an important role in expanding access to Seychelles. The new MoU will build on that longstanding relationship and create further opportunities to strengthen awareness and demand across the region and international markets.”
Gulf hubs support international connectivity
Air access through the Gulf plays a major role in Seychelles’ international tourism network. Emirates operates 14 weekly flights between Dubai and Mahé, providing double-daily connectivity.
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Air Seychelles operates a daily service from Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways resumed four weekly services through Doha in June 2026.
Together, Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi connect Seychelles with travellers from across the GCC. They also provide onward access from Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Approximately 60% of international visitors to Seychelles travel through one of these three Gulf hubs. This makes aviation connectivity central to the Seychelles GCC strategy.
UAE market supports higher-value travel
The UAE is also growing as a source market. Seychelles welcomed 20,980 visitors from the UAE in 2025. This represented a 6.2% increase from 19,761 arrivals in 2024.
Repeat visitation remains an important feature of the market. Families, couples and luxury travellers are among the visitor segments the tourism board has identified.
Seychelles now wants to broaden the experiences promoted to these travellers beyond beaches and resort stays.
Rakic added:
“Travellers from the GCC already know Seychelles for its beaches, privacy and exceptional hospitality. Our opportunity now is to introduce them to the fuller Seychelles story,”
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“That story includes our people, Creole culture and gastronomy, nature, wellness, marine experiences, adventure and the distinctive character of our different islands. We want visitors to stay longer, explore further and build a deeper connection with the destination.”
Sustainable travel options
Destination positioning moves beyond the beach
Seychelles is expanding its tourism positioning to give greater visibility to culture, nature, gastronomy and island experiences. On Mahé, visitors are being encouraged to explore beyond the international gateway. The tourism offer includes Victoria, Creole culture, local cuisine, hiking trails and nature reserves.
Praslin combines beaches with the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, gastronomy and nature experiences. It can also serve as a base for visiting neighbouring islands. La Digue offers a different proposition, centred on cycling, landscapes and a slower island experience.
Private and outer islands add another dimension for visitors seeking seclusion, personalised stays and marine activities.
Tourism earnings outpace arrival growth
The emphasis on higher-value travel is already reflected in Seychelles’ tourism performance.
The destination welcomed 398,841 international visitors in 2025, around 13% more than in 2024. Tourism earnings grew at more than twice that rate. Revenue increased by around 29% to approximately $1.196 billion USD.
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The figures support the country’s focus on visitor value rather than arrival growth alone. Longer stays and wider spending can increase benefits for hotels, restaurants, experiences and local businesses.
Environmental protection remains part of this approach. Marine ecosystems, biodiversity, natural landscapes and Creole culture are central tourism assets for the country.
Air capacity rebuilds tourism momentum
Seychelles is also rebuilding air capacity following disruptions to international connectivity earlier in 2026.
The country welcomed 31,628 visitors in July 2026. This was up 1.8% from July 2025. Total arrivals for the year to date reached 232,342. Additional airline capacity is expected to improve access for the rest of 2026. Ethiopian Airlines will introduce double-daily services between Addis Ababa and Seychelles from 1 December.
The additional schedule will provide more than 1,000 seats per week. Qatar Airways resumed four weekly flights in June. Turkish Airlines returned with three weekly summer services, while Aeroflot resumed two weekly flights in July.
The additional capacity gives Seychelles a more diversified network as it looks towards 2027.
Hospitality investment broadens visitor choice
New hotel development will also support the evolving tourism offer. A Meliá property is scheduled to open towards the end of 2026.
The new development will add to the country’s existing mix of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, guesthouses and private-island properties.
For the Seychelles GCC strategy, more accommodation options complement efforts to attract different high-value segments while encouraging travellers to explore more of the destination.
Rakic said:
“Our ambition is sustainable growth that creates greater value for Seychelles,”
“This means strengthening connectivity, diversifying our markets and experiences, and ensuring that tourism benefits our communities and wider economy while protecting the extraordinary natural and cultural assets that make Seychelles unique.”