Tourism & Connectivity: Seychelles Tourism Board is putting the GCC at the centre of its high-value strategy at ATM 2026, saying around six in 10 visitors reach the islands via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, with plans for a new Emirates MoU and deeper trade engagement. Airline Partnerships: Emirates kicked off ATM 2026 by signing or renewing seven tourism deals, including renewed commitments with the Seychelles Tourism Board and Ministry of Tourism and Culture; Emirates says visitor arrivals rose 13% in 2025 to nearly 400,000, and it currently runs two daily flights to Mahé. Network Expansion: Qatar Airways says it will increase Seychelles service from four to seven weekly flights from 1 March 2027, as part of a winter push to more than 170 destinations. Business & Trade: China and Seychelles signed an “early harvest” arrangement on 10 September, with China pledging zero tariffs on 100% of Seychelles tariff lines while Seychelles opens its market further to China. Local Economy & Services: A Seychelles company-formation pricing review ranks Seychelles Inc. first for published renewal consistency, quoting US$850 for the first year and the same amount each year after. Global Context: Taiwan’s vice president says her Italy trip was kept secret to limit China interference, while leaked documents claim “checkbook diplomacy” pressure involving Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar overflight permits.