Seychelles ask Russia to increase number of flights to develop tourism

MOSCOW. July 28 (Interfax) - Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Seychelles Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Sylvestre Radegonde have discussed the development of bilateral tourism, the Russian Economic Development Ministry's press service said on Friday.

"The current mutual 30-day visa waiver, regular direct flights between Moscow and Mahe, as well as friendly relations between Russia and Seychelles, will become a good foundation for the further growth of mutual tourist flows," Reshetnikov said at a meeting as part of the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg.

Russia put in place a wide range of measures to organize comfortable and safe holidays for foreign guests, he said.

"We're launching the Tourist Card pilot project for foreign tourists this year. The number of comfortable hotels with good service is increasing all over the country, and the certification of hotel room capacity with a confirmation of the service level and the accommodation's security for guests is actively ongoing. The tax burden has been reduced to facilitate the operations of major tour operators who are creating new routes for foreign tourists. Our country has many impressive places where we would be happy to welcome our guests from Seychelles," Reshetnikov said.

Radegonde asked at the meeting to assist in increasing the number of flights between Russia and the Seychelles in light of significant mutual interest shown by tourists from both countries, the press service said.

A total of 30,500 Russian tourists visited Seychelles in 2022. Russia was ranked third in tourist flows to the country after Germany and France. Over 330,000 foreign tourists visited Seychelles in 2022.