The Seychelles is seeing signs of recovery in its tourism sector since the summer of 2026, even though the number of visitors dropped by 8.2% from January 1st to September 13th compared to the previous year. Despite this decline, the country is optimistic about reaching the visitor numbers of 2024 after an exceptional 2025, which welcomed nearly 398,841 international tourists—a 13% increase from 2024. Tourism revenue also surged by 39%, hitting $1.3 billion. This growth was driven by visitors from all continents, with Asia experiencing a 34% rise in arrivals. Europe remained the largest source of tourists, accounting for 70% of entries, though with only a 7% growth rate. Germany has been the top market for several years, followed by France, which had 41,000 visitors in 2025. However, from January 1st to September 13th in 2026, French visitors declined by 7% to 27,000, pushing France to third place, overtaken by Russia. To address air travel challenges from earlier in the year, Seychelles has partnered with Gulf airlines, which now carry a large share of the traffic, particularly from France. Air Seychelles has launched flights from Rome for a month and has added resources by chartering planes to operate a direct route between Paris and Mahé from March 20 to August 30. Other airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Gulf carriers, have also resumed their services. Turkish Airlines and European leisure airlines such as Discover Airlines, Edelweiss Air (part of the Lufthansa group), and Condor have returned with seasonal flights since June. The Seychelles has 846 accommodations, ranging from small family-run guesthouses to luxury hotels, offering 16,816 beds. The tourism department is working to encourage visitors to explore more than just the beaches, promoting immersive experiences that support the local economy. For example, the "Seychelles nature trail" has been available for three years, and Creole culture—including local cuisine and moutia, a traditional dance recognized by UNESCO as an intangible heritage since 2021—is being actively promoted. The department has conducted an audit to identify new activities, support local tour operators, and engage residents. In 2027, the Melia hotel will open on Mahé with 120 rooms and 40 villas. Meanwhile, Fregate Island Private, a small ultra-luxury hotel on the island of Frégate, will be rebuilt. Maintaining strong relationships with professionals, particularly in France, remains crucial. The BtoB market—where 60% of visitors from France arrive through tour operators and agencies that create custom trips—represents a significant portion of arrivals. Efforts are underway to better showcase the diversity of the islands, products, experiences, and the logistical challenges involved. These efforts include a training program in collaboration with professionals, hoteliers, and tour operators, and the "Seychelles Smart" initiative, which certifies sellers with strong potential. So far, 265 sellers are certified, with more in the process. Meanwhile, the BtoC market is being used to generate interest, with advertising in the Paris metro, social media campaigns highlighting the variety of options, and participation in niche events such as wedding and diving fairs, aimed at outdoor enthusiasts.