Seychelles’ efforts to attract more German tourists
![Seychelles’ efforts to attract more German tourists](http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/media/images/2014-03/photo_verybig_74.jpg)
Seychelles Delegation at the Hamburg Travel Fair led by Seychelles Minister for Tourism Alain st Ange and CEO of Seychelles Tourism Board Sherin Naiken (Seychelles Tourism Board)
(Seychelles News Agency) - German travellers have had the chance to know more about Seychelles tourism products as representatives of the Indian Ocean archipelago took part in the Hamburg travel fair held February 05 to February 09 2014, according to a statement from the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism.
“This was a great opportunity for Seychelles, adding the exposure will go a long way to help keep our beautiful islands visible and relevant as the favourite holiday destination for Germans," said Seychelles Minister of Tourism Alain St Ange.
The German media also helped promote the Seychelles, one of them, the Die Welt publication that carried a story about Seychelles’ stand at the fair which showcased Seychelles’ culture through performances by a local cultural troupe and the work of two visual artists, according to the statement.
St Ange told the German media that the European country is a key tourism market for the Seychelles.
"Germany is today our second most important tourism market and it is growing by the day,” said At Ange.
230,272 tourists visited Seychelles in 2013 compared to 208,034 in 2012, according to statistics released by the Seychelles Bureau of Statistics.
France remains the leading market for Seychelles with 35,698 visitors followed by Germany with 33,424 and Italy with 21,662.
Country Visitor Arrivals
1. France 35,698
2. Germany 33,424
3. Italy 21,662
4. Russia 14,125
5. UAE 13,836
6. South Africa 13,212
7. UK & Eire 12,514
8. China 7,714