Predicting developing trends for international holiday bookings in Seychelles is quite difficult at the moment, a top official of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) said on Monday.

Since Seychelles closed its borders to tourists amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the local tourism industry -- the nation's top economic contributor -- has come to a dead stop.

Francis said that since COVID-19 cases remain high in some of Seychelles' main markets, the country is at a disadvantage when it comes to tourist arrivals.

"We are considering of course that upon the re-opening of our international airport in June, with the new guidelines provided by the Department of Health, Seychelles will definitely not have the volume of tourists, as the COVID-19 has not impacted the economic power of the world but has had a big psychological impact on people," she added.

"Through data STB is receiving from its partners, for instance, VISA, our team has been able to see that our local people have a decent purchasing power and although disposable income is now limited, our local people are still able to consider a staycation or other leisure activities domestically as an option since travels are still unsafe," said Francis.