Seychelles tourism sector adopts AI and diversifies air routes

The Seychelles is pivoting its tourism strategy toward artificial intelligence and digital integration. During the 2026 Tourism Festival, officials emphasized the need to use technology to remain competitive and reach new markets while maintaining the country's focus on sustainability and traditional hospitality.

This digital shift follows recent challenges to the nation's tourism-dependent economy. Due to conflicts in the Middle East affecting major transit hubs in Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, Seychelles saw a 37.2% year-on-year decline in visitor arrivals in March 2026. In response, the country has utilized lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to rapidly diversify its air corridors. Air Seychelles launched direct flights to Europe, and the nation has since regained capacity through partnerships with carriers including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, and Ethiopian Airlines.