Seychelles’ Vallée de Mai has won a 2020 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award as the island nation prepares to open borders on October 1.

Based on traveller reviews throughout 2019, the Unesco World Heritage Site was placed in the top 10% of global attractions listed on TripAdvisor. Vallée de Mai is on Praslin and is home to an undisturbed natural palm forest.

“Winners of the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition. Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners’ achievements,” said TripAdvisor’s Chief Commercial Officer, Kanika Soni.

“This achievement reflects our team’s hard work and determination in protecting and managing this site’s outstanding universal values. It also shows the effort we are making to meet and exceed the expectations of our esteemed visitors while ensuring sustainability, as prioritised by ourselves and Unesco,” said Vallée de Mai Site Manager, Marc Jean-Baptiste.

Special status for seven source markets

When its borders reopen, special status will be given to seven countries in key source markets – the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and the United Arab Emirates.

The special status allows visitors from these countries to travel to the Seychelles despite not being listed on the ‘safe’ list. However, more stringent sanitary measures will apply to ensure the safety of both visitors and the local population.

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