Seychelles named top island destination in Africa and the Middle East – Independent Online

Seychelles has for the second consecutive year been named the topisland destination in Africa and the Middle East in the Travel + Leisures 2017 Worlds Best Awards.

The survey is held every year and readers are asked to weigh in on travel experiences around theglobe, to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlinesamong others.

Islands are rated on the following characteristics: natural attractions/beaches, activities/sights,restaurants/food, people/friendliness, value, and as optional criteria, its romantic appeal. For eachcharacteristic, respondents are asked to rate a candidate on a five-point scale of excellence.

Boasting white and pristine sandy beaches, Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean,came out on top of the readers list.

Seychelles Tourism Board, Director for Africa & the Americas, David Germain says, Achieving thedistinction of top island in Africa and the Middle East for the second year in a row is a tremendoushonour for the Seychelles, recognising that the region has much to offer in terms of world-classisland experiences.

He adds that Seychelles is a unique group of islands with outstanding natural beauty and uniqueattractions, a destination with a committed approach to sustainable tourism, providing an exampleof best practice for other destinations around the world.

The Award helps to garner recognition, and provide a significant amount of visibility for our islandsto a worldwide audience, It proves further, that our beautiful islands is becoming more and morepopular, topping the list of the most desirable holiday destinations worldwide, says Mr Germain.

Visitor arrivals from South Africa to the Seychelles increased by 19 percent from January to June.

To date, the total number of holidaymakers that have disembarked in Seychelles stands at 159 659,representing a 21 percent increase compared to the same time last year, already positioning theisland nation to record a tourism upswing in 2017.

For more details on this years Travel & Leisure Worlds Best Awards visitwww.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest

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Seychelles named top island destination in Africa and the Middle East - Independent Online