Local tourism delegates at this year's Fitur trade fair which was held earlier this month in Madrid, Spain, has welcomed the "positive signs" which they said point towards a sure recovery in the industry worldwide.

According to them, indicators are tipping towards low interest rates, controlled inflation, stable prices for basic goods, greater security and above all the sector’s commitment to its own future, of which Fitur is a living proof.

Fitur, they argued, had somehow reassured the industry that consumers were regaining confidence to travel, to discover other countries and other cultures despite the various blots on the horizon of 2003, such as the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the threat of war between the United States and Iraq which could darken the future of tourism.

The Seychelles delegation, headed by Mr Francis Savy, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA), said Fitur had once again provided a showcase and a reliable thermometer for an industry destined to be the principal motor of the world's economy.

Others in the delegation included Air Seychelles representatives, DMCs and hoteliers as well as staff members of Seychelles Tourist Offices in Madrid.

They were generally satisfied in terms of the contacts and commercial objectives as they were able to meet with various partners in the trade, the media and the airline sector. Some of these meetings resulted in project proposals to be implemented during the course of the year, all with the aim of increasing traffic to Seychelles from the Iberian Peninsula.

At this year's rendez-vous, over 9,000 firms and institutions from 179 countries gathered for the second largest fair in the world and also the largest where the American market is concerned.

As in previous editions, the Seychelles stand had a wide exposure amongst the Iberian travel industry and public alike. Measuring 21m2, it was well located with passageways on both sides, enabling visitors access to the stand from both sides.

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