Aeroflot’s withdrawal of direct flights to the Seychelles from May 15, 2024 affected the summer tourist flow: arrivals of Russians to the Seychelles decreased by a third in May and by more than half in June. Nevertheless, the overall results of the first half of the year are almost identical to last year’s: the high performance of January–April is affected. Tour operators note good prices for summer tours with connecting flights.
According to official statistics of tourist arrivals to the Seychelles, 19,416 Russians visited this island nation in the first six months of 2024. This is only 2.5% less than in the first half of 2023 (19,918).
When analyzing the monthly tourist flow, the excellent results of winter and April are striking, when demand provided by direct Aeroflot transportation from Moscow to Mahe and connecting flights exceeded last year’s values by 15-21%.
The decline began in May, when Aeroflot decided to end its direct flight program in the middle of the month. Because of this, the tourist flow immediately fell by a third. According to the Seychelles authorities themselves, 55% of all tourists with Russian citizenship arrive on direct flights to the Seychelles. Naturally, in June, when there were no Aeroflot flights at all, the tourist flow from Russia decreased by exactly half.
|
Number of trips Russians to the Seychelles |
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
I half-year |
|
2024 |
4,210 |
4,116 |
3,949 |
3,675 |
1,909 |
1,557 |
19,416 |
|
2023 |
3,688 |
3,576 |
3,700 |
3026 |
2,794 |
3,134 |
19,918 |
|
Change 2024/2023 by period |
+14.2% |
+15.1% |
+6.7% |
+21.4% |
-31.7% |
-50,4% |
-2,5% |
Data: official tourism statistics of Seychelles
According to the Seychelles tourism authorities, about 70% of the total tourist flow to the Seychelles from Russia goes through tour operators. Their data correlate well with Seychelles statistics.
“Until Aeroflot flights were canceled, our yacht cruises in the Seychelles were selling very well. After the cancellation of direct flights, the demand for them fell by 60-70%. It’s a pity, because in our company the Seychelles is a year–round destination. This summer, the cancellation of direct flights significantly spoiled the statistics,” says Dmitry Kalita, CEO of 32 Rumba yacht cruises.
The ITM group tour operator notes a 16% year-on-year increase in winter sales of Seychelles tours. In the summer, the company also sees a decrease, and they are waiting for the resumption of the national carrier’s direct flights program in the fall. In summer, tourists will have to use connecting flights of foreign airlines.
“When Aeroflot had direct flights, demand was noticeably higher than last year. We are currently flying on flights with transfers, but starting in October, Aeroflot flights will fly again, and we are waiting for a surge in demand in the fall,” the PAC Group says.
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“In the first quarter of the year, the demand for holidays in the Seychelles was good. In the summer, it decreased slightly due to the lack of direct flights. In the autumn, we expect an increase in sales with the resumption of direct Aeroflot flights,”Russian Express agrees with colleagues.
IN SUMMER, PRICES FOR SEYCHELLES TOURS IN 4* HOTELS ARE ALMOST EQUAL TO THE AVERAGE TURKEY
Space Travel also points to an increase in winter sales of Seychelles in 2024, in total, the tour operator increased sales of tours in this direction in the first half of the year by 31% compared to the same period in 2023. But since most of Space Travel’s tours to the Seychelles were based on connecting flights, they did not see such a serious impact of the pause in direct flights that Aeroflot took.
“There are alternatives to direct flights. Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates and other airlines are popular on the Seychelles route. However, of course, direct flights of the national carrier will have a positive impact on sales dynamics, and we are confident that this year we will see a more significant increase starting in autumn, the ITM group says. It should be noted that tours to the Seychelles for the fall should be purchased now, not only because of the current discounts on early bookings, but also because the hotel base on these islands is limited, which means popular hotels need to be booked in advance,” the ITM group explains.
“The cost of staying in Seychelles hotels in the summer season is lower, and the total cost of a connecting flight package is quite affordable. For example, a tour to the Seychelles to a good-class hotel (Bliss Boutique Hotel 4*) with breakfast for a week in August will now cost 222 thousand rubles for two people, including flights on Emirates flights. In fact, this is now the price of “average” Turkey,” Space Travel comments.
HOW MUCH DO TOURS TO THE SEYCHELLES COST IN SUMMER 2024 AND AUTUMN
Russian Express: tour with departure (connecting flights) at the end of July, 7 nights in a 4* hotel with breakfast, airfare included: from 261.7 thousand rubles for two. The same tours to 5* hotels start from 302.9 thousand rubles. for two, with connecting flights.
PAC Group: 7-night tour with weekly connecting flights to the Coral Strand Smart Choice Hotel 4* in August (departure on August 7), without meals: 242 thousand rubles for two, the same tour to the Savoy Resort Hotel & Spa Seychelles 5*, without meals: 330 thousand rubles for two, a similar tour to the Constance Ephelia 5* hotel, half board – from 617 thousand rubles for two.
ITM group: the cost of a package for two for 7 nights in a 4* hotel on Aeroflot flights in October starts from 2230 EUR (1115 EUR/person). For New Year’s dates, prices now start from 4,100 EUR for two people.
Space Travel: a tour to the Bliss Boutique Hotel 4*) with breakfast for a week in August will cost 222 thousand rubles for two (including Emirates flights).
Club Med: a tour to the Club Med Seychelles hotel for two using the premium all-inclusive system for a week in October starts from 590,678 rubles. For New Year’s holidays for a week for two from 467,898 rubles. Flight is not included.