Ten UK based travel agents, who have completed the Seychelles SMART training scheme picked up some first hand knowledge of the country, with a local visit this week.

The travel agents from across the UK have all completed the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA) Seychelles SMART programme, designed to supply them with a detailed knowledge of what's on offer for a visitor to Seychelles.

As a reward for successfully completing the course, and to further add to their Seychelles insight, the group enjoyed a four day visit touring some of the main tourist attractions.

Having completed the SMART programme in November last year the travel agents described the scheme as, "very beneficial, very informative and a good overview of things that usually you would not necessarily think to ask about ."

Asked about the benefits of the local visit, one of the group explained that, "People always like personal recommendations, so it's easier if you've been somewhere, seen the hotel, then they feel happy that you know what they're looking for."

Another added that, "It's very important to be able to tell our clients exactly what goes on, which is a vital element of the service side. You can learn a lot about hotels from brochures, but now we know about all of the smallest details."

Describing the current UK travel market the group said that all destinations lost out in 2003, with more Britons staying at home and spending their holiday savings on other products. They noted however that business for the Indian Ocean region is starting to pick up.

The group also highlighted the costs involved in a Seychelles holiday and said that compared to other destinations it is seen as an expensive choice.

"People are not always asking primarily about the price, it depends on their priorities. If they want a La Digue beach, with the boulders, white sand, blue water, they will pay anything for it. However, if they just want to get away for a week on the beach the price will sway them."

After arriving on Monday January 12, the group were looked after by STMA, the Plantation Club, Coco de Mer Hotel, Ste. Anne, Masons Travel, TSS and the Marie-Antoinette restaurant, before flying back to the UK on Thursday January 15.

LINKS