(Seychelles News Agency) - At the start of 2015 tourism arrivals from Europe to Seychelles are ‘picking up very nicely,’ says the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), Sherin Naiken speaking on the global American TV network, CNN International, last week.

In a short live interview, Naiken spoke from London with presenter Maggie Lake in New York on the financial news programme ‘Quest Means Business,’ saying that the Indian Ocean island nation has successfully traversed through the world recession due to the economic reforms implemented by the Seychelles government, adding that it ‘was one of the biggest decisions’ but has resulted in a ‘thriving tourism industry and a flourishing economy.’

Already statistics of February tourism arrivals to the Indian Ocean islands’ National Bureau of Statistics had indicated a slim increase of 6% overall, with  marked increases from France and the UK compared to the previous year, but the STB, which is responsible for promotion and marketing of the country is not taking any chances and instead is increasing its marketing drive.

“…we've had to diversify our strategy, faced with the recession and this is where we've had to look at emerging markets, the likes of China, the emerging market in the UAE, South Africa as well a secondary market which has helped to consolidate the tourism figures.But we've also looked at Russia as well, Russia was in our top four market as well,” said Naiken. 

Maggie Lake questions Sherin Naiken about the Seychelles tourism industry (CNN International) Photo License: All Rights Reserved

With the picturesque and sunny Seychelles islands used in the background of the CNN studios, Naiken said that as part of the strategy, the Seychelles Tourism Board has not only increased arrivals in traditional European markets such as France and the United Kingdom but has cast out the idea that Seychelles is only for those with deep pockets.

“In the UK… we've had a campaign called Seychelles the ‘luxury within reach,’ that was a good campaign actually, which did bring to our potential visitors the message that yes, for the longest time, Seychelles was seen as a holiday destination for the rich and the famous, but, we do have products for every budget in Seychelles,” said Naiken, highlighting campaigns such as ‘Seychelles Secrets’ that showcases small, home-grown boutique hotels.

According to a press statement issued by the STB, Sherin Naiken also had several other London interviews with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in different radio and TV programmes, as well as The Daily Telegraph and Condé Nast Traveller.