New Delhi: The current rising interest in Seychelles among Indian travellers cannot be attributed solely to the geopolitical situation in West Asia, but structural factors such as improved connectivity, ‘stronger’ trade confidence, and a wider awareness of Seychelles beyond honeymoons and luxury beach stays, said Sherin Francis, principal secretary, Seychelles Tourism Board.India has been one of the strongest growth markets for Seychelles, which has been in the news following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit.In 2025, Seychelles welcomed approximately 13,400 visitors from India, reflecting a nearly 75% year-on-year growth over 2024.“For 2026, we are optimistic about closing the year with over 15,000 Indian arrivals, which would represent an increase of around 12% over last year. India’s strong outbound travel demand, growing appetite for premium short-haul holidays, and improving air connectivity make it a key focus market for Seychelles,” said Francis.Europe remains the leading source region for Seychelles and will continue to be extremely important, but, India offers a valuable opportunity to reduce the ‘overdependence’ on traditional European markets, said Francis.Arrivals from India grew by 44% in the first quarter of this year for Seychelles compared to the same period last year, supported by direct connectivity and stronger trade confidence, said Francis.The destination is visa-free and now directly connected from Mumbai through IndiGo, four times a week.Demand has expanded beyond honeymoons and luxury holidays, with growing interest from families, FIT travellers, intimate wedding groups, milestone celebration travellers, incentive groups and travellers seeking more personalised island experiences, said Francis.“In 2026, our focus is on both trade development and consumer visibility. On the B2B side, we continue to invest in destination training, joint marketing partnerships, roadshows and focused engagements with key travel agents and tour operators across India. Our recent India Roadshow across Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi was part of this effort,” said Francis.She said on the consumer side, Seychelles is strengthening visibility through digital marketing, media partnerships, influencer engagement and India-focused destination storytelling.“We are also working on a new campaign for the Indian market, aimed at presenting Seychelles in a more relatable way and showcasing the destination beyond its traditional beach and luxury image,” she added.