In an initiative to support the development of the Seychelles tourism sector, Emirates will increase services between Dubai and the archipelago to seven flights per week, starting 4th November 2010. In this context, a Memorandum of Understanding highlighting joint promotional activities in the Middle East was signed on October 12, 2010, between the Dubai-based airline and the Seychelles Tourism Board in Dubai, in the presence of Jean Paul Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles, and Adnan Kazim, Emirates' DSVP Planning and Research. The additional flight will operate on Thursdays and increase existing capacity by 16% per week per direction, making it easier for leisure travellers, especially tourists from the Middle East, to visit the popular getaway. Flight EK 705 will depart Dubai at 0230 hours and will arrive in Seychelles at 0700 hours. On the return journey, flight EK 706 will depart Seychelles at 0830, arriving in Dubai at 1300 hours. The service is operated by an Airbus A340 - 500 aircraft, offering 12 seats in First class, 42 seats in Business Class and 258 seats in Economy. From the start of its operations to Seychelles in January 2005, Emirates has promoted the island destination throughout its network. Every year, Emirates Holidays' brochure - A World of Choice - dedicates a prominent part to the destination. In 2009, 157,541 tourists visited the Seychelles; the leading markets being France, Italy, Germany, UK, South Africa and Russia. For Seychelles travellers, the additional frequency will provide more flexibility to Dubai and to the global network of the airline, representing more than 100 destinations around the world.(emirates/mar)