Seychelles Demonstrates Resilience as Tourism Recovers Amid Global Travel Disruptions

By Shelda Commettant, Chief Press Secretary, State House, Republic of Seychelles

A resilient destination, an open door and a renewed commitment to global tourism

VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES — As the world marks Tourism Week, Seychelles is demonstrating how resilience, strategic partnerships and a commitment to international connectivity can help a destination navigate even the most challenging global circumstances.

For an island nation whose economy is deeply connected to tourism, recent disruptions to international air travel have once again underlined the importance of keeping Seychelles connected to the world.

In March 2026, visitor arrivals fell 37.2% year on year to 23,746. Yet the destination itself remained unchanged: Seychelles' beaches remained pristine, its hospitality sector ready to welcome visitors, and its unique natural environment continued to attract travellers from around the globe.

The destination had not failed. The route to it had been disrupted.

According to the International Monetary Fund, approximately 60% of visitors to Seychelles reach the country through connecting flights via major Gulf aviation hubs, including Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. When conflict and airspace restrictions affected aviation across the region, one of Seychelles' principal international travel corridors was temporarily narrowed.

For Seychelles, however, this was not an entirely unfamiliar challenge.

From Crisis to Opportunity

Six years earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic brought international tourism almost to a standstill.

In April 2020, Seychelles recorded just 22 visitor arrivals, compared with 37,103 in April 2019. Overall arrivals for 2020 declined by approximately 70%.

Seychelles responded with decisive action.

In January 2021, the country became the first African nation to launch a national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. By March 2021, Seychelles was among the first destinations in the world to fully reopen to international visitors.

That experience established an important principle that continues to guide the country's tourism strategy:

When global circumstances change, destinations must be ready to adapt quickly.

Protecting International Air Connectivity

In 2026, that experience once again proved valuable.

Air Seychelles introduced temporary direct services to Paris and Rome, helping maintain access to Europe, one of Seychelles' most important international tourism markets.

International airline partnerships also continued to strengthen. Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines returned in June, followed by Aeroflot in July, while Ethiopian Airlines contributed additional capacity.

Together, these developments demonstrate Seychelles' determination to maintain multiple international connections and strengthen the network of air bridges linking the islands with Europe, Africa, the Middle East and other global markets.

Seychelles' long-standing principle of being “a friend to all, and an enemy to none” also reflects the country's approach to international tourism: remaining open, connected and welcoming to travellers from every part of the world.

Tourism with Value at Its Core

Seychelles is also demonstrating that tourism success cannot be measured by visitor numbers alone.

Between January and July 2026, the country welcomed fewer visitors than during the same period in 2025, yet tourism earnings increased by 4.7%.

This reflects a tourism strategy increasingly focused on value, quality and sustainability.

Rather than pursuing mass tourism at any cost, Seychelles has continued to position itself as a premium destination built around its natural environment, distinctive experiences, high-quality hospitality and eco-conscious tourism.

This approach reinforces Seychelles' reputation as one of the world's exceptional island destinations while supporting a tourism model designed to create greater economic value from each visitor.

Strengthening Regional Tourism Connections

The importance of diversification is also reflected in Seychelles' growing relationship with African tourism markets.

During the first seven months of 2026, Africa was the only major region to record growth in arrivals to Seychelles, with visitor numbers increasing by 9.6%.

The figures demonstrate the importance of regional connectivity and stronger tourism relationships across Africa.

For Seychelles, expanding these connections represents more than an opportunity for tourism growth. It creates a broader and more diversified international network capable of supporting the destination during periods of disruption elsewhere.

Building the Next Generation of Air Bridges

The experience of 2026 has also highlighted an important priority for the future: greater diversification of international access.

Gulf aviation hubs have played an important role in connecting Seychelles with the world and remain valuable partners. At the same time, the current experience demonstrates the importance of developing additional routes, direct services and alternative gateways.

Strengthening Seychelles' national carrier, expanding direct international connectivity and developing relationships with airlines across different regions will remain important components of the country's long-term tourism strategy.

The objective is clear:

More routes. More gateways. More resilience.

Signs of Recovery

The latest tourism figures provide encouraging evidence that Seychelles is regaining momentum.

In August 2026, visitor arrivals increased by 14.1% year on year to 34,987.

For the first eight months of 2026, arrivals were 1.2% higher than during the same period in 2024, although they remained 8.3% below the record level recorded in 2025.

These figures point to a destination that continues to adapt while maintaining its position within the international tourism market.

The global aviation environment remains subject to geopolitical and operational developments beyond Seychelles' control. What Seychelles can control, however, is its preparedness, its partnerships and its commitment to remaining open to the world.

Peace, Partnership and Tourism

Seychelles' tourism strategy is closely connected to its broader international outlook.

At the United Nations, President Dr. Patrick Herminie reaffirmed Seychelles' position as “a friend to all, and an enemy to none.” He described non-alignment as “not passive indifference; it is an active choice for peace.”

For Seychelles, peace and international cooperation are not simply diplomatic principles. They also support the conditions required for tourism, trade, investment and international exchange to flourish.

Travellers from around the world do not need to choose sides to choose Seychelles.

They come for the islands' natural beauty, hospitality, culture, marine environment and unique tourism experiences.

And Seychelles continues to build the international relationships and connectivity required to welcome them.

Seychelles: Keeping the Door Open

The COVID-19 pandemic tested global tourism demand.

The events of 2026 have tested international travel connectivity.

In both circumstances, Seychelles has demonstrated a commitment to keeping its tourism sector open, adaptable and internationally connected.

The next chapter is about strengthening that resilience: expanding air connectivity, diversifying source markets, supporting sustainable and high-value tourism, strengthening regional partnerships and continuing to position Seychelles as a welcoming destination for travellers from every continent.

The message from Seychelles is clear: the world remains welcome.

As global tourism enters another period of change, Seychelles is not closing its door.

It is opening more routes to it.

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Tolu Osindero