Seychelles targets Russian market with embassy plans amid 40% tourism drop
Seychelles President Patrick Herminie has announced plans to establish an embassy in Russia as part of a broader push to grow Russian tourist arrivals, which currently account for nearly 22% of the island nation's total visitor numbers. The announcement came during an interview with RT as Seychelles and Russia prepare to mark 50 years of formal diplomatic relations, with Seychelles' Tourism Minister simultaneously visiting Moscow and St Petersburg to build ties with Russian domestic travel companies.
The diplomatic push comes as Seychelles grapples with a 40% drop in tourism arrivals linked to the ongoing US - Iran conflict and rising fuel costs, both of which are placing significant pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves and broader economy. Tourism remains the mainstay of the Seychellois economy, making the diversification of source markets an urgent priority. President Herminie also used the interview to signal openness to Russian naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean, citing piracy, illegal fishing, and human trafficking as growing security concerns across the country's 1.3 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone.
Source: Seychelles News Agency
