(Seychelles News Agency) - The introduction of Turkish Airlines flights to Seychelles will bring benefits to the tourism sector and local business, says a top official of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Direct flights from the Turkish city, Istanbul to Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, are expected to start in October and will be operated by an A330-200.

The chair of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Wilson Nancy, told SNA on Tuesday that: “Direct access to the Turkish market will provide great traffic for [Seychellois] businessmen to shop in Turkey, especially for textile and consumables.”

Records from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that Seychelles is already importing fruit and vegetable juices, pasta, dried leguminous vegetable, olive oil and milk from Turkey

Nancy said that when the flights start, businesses will be in better positions to source goods like construction materials, which are more affordable in Turkey, benefiting local contractors.

Tourism, the first pillar of the Seychelles’ economy, is another industry that will benefit from the three weekly flights from Istanbul.

“The flights from the Turkish Airlines will not only bring tourists from Turkey. It will connect us to the rest of the world. Turkey is an airline hub in Europe, giving us an advantage in that region,” said Alain St. Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture.

Turkish Airlines is the national carrier of Turkey and a member of the Star Alliance, which is the largest global airline alliance.

The airline, currently flying to Madagascar and Mauritius, “is working closely with Seychelles to see which of the local market needs more attention so as to see them grow,” said St. Ange.

The national carrier of Turkey is flying to Madagascar and Mauritius, both belonging to the Vanilla Island group.

The airline has invited representatives of Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles to participate in a road show that will take place in Bucharest, Budapest and Prague from September 5 to 9.

Representatives from these island nations will meet with travel agents and tour operators as well as bring together hotels, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and tourism boards.

“They will be pushing the Vanilla Island concept forward. [Turkish Airlines] is our new partner in promoting this region,” said St Ange.