A total of 132,246 visitors arrived in Seychelles in 2002, representing a 2% increase over the previous year's figure.

According to figures released Tuesday by the Management and Information Systems Division (MISD), 129,762 visitors came to Seychelles in 2001 which was 2,484 less than what 2002 registered.

France has maintained its position as the most profitable market for Seychelles in 2002 with 28,326 visitors, followed by UK and Eire (19,336), Germany (15,145), Italy (20,000) and Switzerland (5,160).

Whilst France and UK have increased their percentage by 11 and 10% respectively, there has been a slight dip in arrivals from Germany (-10%), Italy (-5%) and Switzerland

(-2%).

Countries like Austria (2,275), Belgium and Luxembourg (1,621), Netherlands (1,067), Scandinavia (3,642), CIS (2,858) and Other Europe (2,795) also witnessed a small growth in their oubound market to Seychelles during 2002.

Spain and Portugal on the other hand, registered a reduction last year with 3,396 visitors compared to 4,350 in 2001. A charter flight in 2001 was responsible for the increase in travellers from those countries during that year.

Regionwise, Europe remained the most stable with a 3% increase in arrivals last year whilst Asia showed remarkable potential with a 56% increase.

Israel has been the most performing country with 2,495 visitors, which represents a 2,234 increase over 2001. This was on account of a charter flight operating on the Seychelles route for about ten weeks mid last year, in a promotion to diversity holiday choices of the Israeli travellers.

The other markets in this particular region are Middle East (2,136), Other Far East (1,295), Indian Sub Continent (1,776), Singapore (442), Japan (362) and Hong-Kong (119).

Hong Kong and Japan both registered a respective -7 and -4% drop though.

The overall percentage from Africa remained unchanged throughout 2002 with a 0% increase. The region recorded 13,870 visitors in 2002 and 13,926 in 2001, meaning 56 visitors short last year.

The only two countries to have registered a plus in visitors to Seychelles in that region are Mauritius, who has gone from 2,744 in 2001 to 3,100 in 2002, and East Africa from 1,307 in 2001 to 1,471 in 2002.

Reunion (2,909), South Africa (4,173) and combined Other Africa (2,217) all saw their figures took slight dips.

Meanwhile, decreases in arrivals were also registered on specific regions such as Oceania whose percentage went down by 18% and America by 46%.

Arrivals from America stood at 3,670 in 2002 compared to a more healthy 6,854 in 2001.  Oceania on the other hand, registered 460 last year and 564 the previous year.

Commenting on the increase in arrivals, the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA), Mr Francis Savy, said that considering the international climate of events last year, Seychelles had done well to record a 2% increase.

"I would describe the 2% as very healthy at this point in time for Seychelles though I believe we could have done better at the beginning of last year," he said.

Mr Savy added that "obviously we would be aiming higher this year" but noted that this would very much depend on global events, especially the possible US attack on Iraq which poised to have major repercussions.

The 3% increase on the European sector was very encouraging and showed that STMA was doing right to "stabilise" its good markets, Mr Savy said.

"We have invested a lot in our good markets (both financially and in human resources), and our efforts are bearing fruit. It's very encouraging because we are making headway whilst also giving attention to other markets," Mr Savy explained, adding that STMA had the Italian and German markets on top of its agenda this year.

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