Tourism Seychelles and Air Seychelles have strengthened ties with Italy following the launch of a new direct Rome–Mahé route. Supported by a Rome sales mission, the initiative enhances connectivity, boosts European access, and reinforces Seychelles’ position as a leading long-haul destination for Italian travelers.
Rome-Seychelles- Tourism Seychelles and Air Seychelles have reinforced their commitment to the Italian market following a successful sales mission in Rome, held in tandem with the launch of a new direct air route connecting Rome Fiumicino Airport and Mahé.
The initiative, conducted in March in collaboration with newly appointed General Sales Agent TAL Aviation Group, brought together key tour operators, travel trade partners, and media representatives. The event supported the rollout of the twice-weekly service, which officially commenced on March 28.
The new route operates every Wednesday and Saturday using Airbus A320neo aircraft. It includes a short technical stop in Hurghada, offering Italian travelers a more seamless and convenient journey to the Seychelles.
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Bernadette Willemin, Special Advisor at Tourism Seychelles, emphasizes the significance of the development:
“With the new direct connection from Rome and the extension of flights from Paris, we are opening new opportunities for Italian and European travelers. These developments reflect our ongoing collaboration with Air Seychelles and our commitment to strengthening accessibility to the destination across key markets.”
The Rome mission featured a series of one-on-one meetings with leading tour operators, along with two nationwide webinars aimed at engaging partners across Italy. A dedicated press event with travel trade publications and digital tourism platforms further highlighted both the new route and the Seychelles’ various travel offerings.
Beyond promotion, the initiative also strengthened relationships with Italian travel trade stakeholders and helped define joint strategies to further position Seychelles as a top-tier destination in the Italian market.
Italy continues to play a vital role in Seychelles’ tourism growth. By the end of 2025, it ranked as the fourth-largest international source market, recording 22,524 arrivals—an 18% increase compared to 2024 and the highest growth rate among key European markets.
With the Rome route now operational, improved connectivity is expected to sustain this upward trend while enhancing the archipelago’s appeal among European travelers.
In parallel, Air Seychelles has announced the extension of its direct service from Paris Charles de Gaulle until 28 June 2026, further strengthening links between Seychelles and Europe.
The Rome mission was attended by Bernadette Willemin, Special Advisor at Tourism Seychelles; Charles Johnson, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Seychelles; Franchesca Vital, Sales & Marketing Manager at Air Seychelles; Piercarla Lai, Sales & Marketing Manager; and Valeria Tienghi, Country Manager Italy at TAL Aviation Group.
About Tourism Seychelles
Tourism Seychelles is the official destination marketing organization for the Seychelles Islands. It is dedicated to promoting the islands’ natural beauty, cultural richness, and premium travel experiences, positioning Seychelles as a leading global tourism destination.