The Joburg Tourism Company (JTC) and the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) hosted a networking session at the @Sandton Hotel on Friday (September 23) to introduce a proposed partnership between the two destinations.

The networking session provided the destinations with an opportunity to showcase some of their attractions, including lifestyle events, shopping, medical, and business offerings.

Speaking at the event, Acting CEO of the JTC, Thato Davidson, pointed out that Johannesburg was more than just a business destination and that there were several goals that could be achieved through the collaboration. These include contributing towards the growth target of the destination, promoting the city as a leading destination, and presenting the destination as an opportunity.

“The primary purpose of the initiative is to leverage on Johannesburg’s position as a gateway to the Seychelles by air travel to connect with the rest of the world, increasing visitor numbers and length of stay in the city,” said Davidson.

Johannesburg currently sees 10 000 visitors a year from the Seychelles, and the JTC hopes to also tap into other markets through the partnership, with Davidson saying that “the idea is to tap in the markets from Europe, the Americas and Africa that frequently visit Seychelles with a desire to extend their visit to Joburg”. 

Ways that the JTC can do this include ensuring frequent travel by air between the destinations with fair, reasonable and competitive airfares to fully benefit from the scheduled flights, encouraging visitors to extend their stay in Johannesburg by offering affordable and competitive travel packages. Also, by formulating tourism packages that include both Johannesburg and Seychelles in one travel experience.

Tourism Seychelles Regional Director for Africa & the Americas, David Germain, also addressed guests at the event. He noted that South Africa was the sixth most important market for the Seychelles with 13 000 visitors per year, something that was important as tourism was the main industry for the destination. Germain believes that the partnership will be mutually beneficial for both parties, allowing each to promote the other.

“The agreement with Johannesburg Tourism, will no doubt increase the marketing efforts of both companies, collectively working together to collaborate on marketing activities, tourism campaigns and travel trade promotions aimed at increasing each other’s market share in an industry that is very competitive,” said Germain.

Air Seychelles operates scheduled flights between Johannesburg and the Seychelles, and Germain pointed out how easy travel between the two destinations was. He said the COVID regulations for the Seychelles were simple, with travellers either presenting a valid vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test, adding that masks were no longer mandatory on flights.