BANNER NEXT TO STATUE OF DANTE IN VIA DANTE

Seychelles flag for EXPO 2015 prominently displayed in Milan

 

Dec 10, 2012

Monette Rose, the Seychelles Tourism Board Director for Italy, reported from her Office in Rome that the Seychelles flag for EXPO 2015 is being placed next to the Statue of Dante in Via Dante in Milan.

Seychelles is a known and much sought after holiday destination for Italians, and the visibility of Seychelles in Italy remains always important. Monette Rose was overwhelmed when the Seychelles banner with the country’s national colors and the name Seychelles was erected in Via Dante in Milan next to the much photographed statue of Dante. This is for the forthcoming Expo 2015.

“We could not have been luckier for a better position than that. We are looking forward to start working on the Expo 2015 for the benefit of such a beautiful country as Seychelles,” Monette Rose said.

“Seychelles will continue to work hard to claim its fair share of the Italian holidaymakers after sun, sea, and sand, because we have the best for these holidays. But Seychelles will also double its efforts to say that we have more than just sun, sea, and sand, because our diversity remains top of the list of USPs for Seychelles. We are unique by having both granitic islands and coral islands plus the diversity of our people gives us a unique cultural heritage which gives the Seychelles our very own Creole Seychellois food and a blend of music mix with a difference,” said Alain St.Ange, the island’s Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture.

Expo 2015 Milano will see Seychelles move to showcase its beauty, diversity, and why it remains special with its clean and clear turquoise blue seas and white sandy beaches.

 

 

SUBIOS CLOSES

Another successful Festival of the Sea for Seychelles

 

Dec 02, 2012

The Seychelles islands have drawn the curtain on another edition of SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea, after three days of fun and educational-orientated activities, which took place at the popular Beau Vallon beachfront, the Golden Mile of the island of Mahe.

This year’s edition of SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea, was being held from November 23-25, under the theme “People and the Ocean – Striving for a Sustainable Partnership.”

The event kicked off with the prize-giving ceremony of the SUBIOS Art and Creative Writing Competition, which has over the years promoted conservation and the education of the marine environment by way of schools showcasing their knowledge and skills through art and creative writing. The ceremony was held on of the launching of the event, Friday, November 23, 2012, at the Seychelles National Library.

The prize-giving ceremony started with the Minister for Education, Mrs. Macsuzy Mondon, launching the exhibition that showcased the work of the school children in which they have expressed their artistic and creative skills of the underwater world.

Prizes were then awarded to all the winners, from primary to post-secondary institutions. Independent Primary and Beau Vallon Secondary schools were voted the best schools to celebrate and capture the essence of the underwater festival.
Later in the evening, the 2012 SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea, was officially opened by the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, along with the Seychelles Tourism Board CEO, Elsia Grandcourt, in an open-air ceremony at the Beau Vallon beachfront itself.

In line with Minister St.Ange’s opening address, the Seychelles Tourism Board’s CEO, Elsia Grandcourt, opening remarks of the Festival of the Sea said SUBIOS must be celebrated as a permanent event as SUBIOS has played and continues to play a significant role in sensitizing the public about marine life.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the launch of another SUBIOS and to once again be part of this important event that celebrates the seas that surround us and our beautiful but fragile marine world which we must constantly be reminded, we must take great pains to respect and conserve, because it is our lifeline to the future and the future of our children,” said Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt.

On the same note, Minister St.Ange’s official address, touched on the vital role of SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea, that sensitized Seychellois and visitors to the grandeur of the magnificent ocean that surrounds the islands and also the beautiful marine heritage which inspires.

“SUBIOS, our Festival of the Sea, with its long legacy of sensitizing our population to the wonders of the sea, as well as to the challenges involved in protecting our marine world for generations to come, is an apt time for us to reflect on the changing world we live in. On those challenges we continue to face and commit ourselves both individually and as a nation to making the changes we need to make, and adapting in the ways we must in order to live in greater harmony with the forces of nature which here in Seychelles, manifest themselves most prominently as part and parcel of the mighty Indian Ocean,” Minister St.Ange said.

Minister St.Ange also thanked the visitors who had traveled all the way to Seychelles to be part of the event, as well as all partners for becoming the official sponsors for SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea.

Minister St.Ange also expressed his gratitude towards Mr. Peter Sinon, the Minister of National Resources and Industry, and Mrs. Macsuzy Mondon, the Minister of Education, for being present at the Official Opening Ceremony of the 2012 SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea. “Your presence is really appreciated. The Tourism Board Staff is honored by your presence, and the public at large is happy to see you here amongst them at the annual events organized for Seychelles,” Minister St.Ange said.

Following the official opening, the festivities, kick started at 7:00 pm by a thrilling performance of a cabaret, a show by local group Zez livening-up the evening, as well as a music extravaganza performed by one of the local DJs.

The opening ceremony also included the screening of the SUBIOS, Seychelles Festival of the Sea, DVD.

Saturday proved to be even more of revelry with the unending challenges, organized as part of the activities of the SUBIOS festival itinerary and the staging of a horde of fun activities for the children.

Amid the various activities included were the SUBIOS Man & Woman triathlon and the SUBIOS Virtual Treasure Hunt Competition, followed by the prize-giving ceremony where Minister Rolph Payet, the Minister for the Environment and Energy was joined by Minister St.Ange and Tourism Board CEO, Elsia Grandcourt, to award the prizes to the many winners.

The last day was a more of a fun fair for all to enjoy with more music from the DJ until the event came to its official close at 6:00 pm by Minister St.Ange, accompanied by CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Elsia Grandcourt.

In Minster St.Ange’s closing address, he took the opportunity to thank Mrs. Grandcourt and her team for their hard work and everyone who had participated in SUBIOS 2012.

“Having listened to members of the public, sharing their ideas of how they would like to see SUBIOS 2013, we will take all your suggestions on board and put in place a committee to oversee next year’s event, because we want to see SUBIOS, our Festival of the Sea, continue and grow as an annual event. This is why it is important to take everything that I have heard on board,” said Minister St.Ange, “Already we can announce that one of your ideas has been accepted by Minister Peter Sinon, and next year, there will be a traditional bottom fishing competition, where the fishermen from all ages and in any boat, large or small, will be able to participate in the competition. We will also be putting more emphasis on the underwater photo and film competition. and more emphasis will also be placed on the Art and Creative Writing Competition for our younger generation,” Minister Alain St.Ange added.

Minister St.Ange also thanked members of the public and, as well as all the Kiosks holders for their support and efforts they have made to ensure the success of the event.

The closing of the 2012 SUBIOS, Seychelles Festival of the Sea also set the stage for the announcement of the 2013 theme of next year’s event, which is “Seychelles: Sustaining Life in the Sea of Change’. The rendezvous for the next SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea has been set for 22 and 24 November, 2013.

 

THE PERFECT HOLIDAY FOR A COUPLE WITH CHILDREN

Why the Seychelles are perfect for a honeymoon - with the kids

 

BY SAM LEITH, THE TIMES | NOV 19, 2012

Two newlyweds take a break with their two small children and enjoy warm seas, blue skies - and excellent creche facilities.

The Seychelles - surely the perfect destination for a honeymoon. Like Cuba without the communism, or Goa without the damn hippies. The Seychelles islands have it all: a mellow climate year round, azure seas, white sand, groovy-looking fish, and rare birds.

So when my wife Alice and I got married this summer, it was to just such a place that our thoughts turned. Plus, Wills and Kate honeymooned there, and we’re shallow.

The hitch was that, unlike Wills and Kate, we already had a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son. We hankered after what many honeymooners do - a bit of tropical warmth, perhaps, and certainly some seclusion - but, with Max still too nocturnal to leave with his grandparents, there wasn’t much choice: the brats would have to come. Not every honeymooner can boast a wheelie suitcase shaped like a gruffalo in their baggage. And no, we weren’t upgraded.

Getting there is the tough bit: seven hours to Abu Dhabi, and then four more to the archipelago’s main island of Mahe. From there, it was just a 15-minute hop on a wobbly twin-prop plane to Praslin, the second largest island and one that had - we were given to understand - a somewhat mellower vibe than Mahe. We’d need it. We all know what kids on planes are like, even if we don’t have them; in fact, especially if we don’t have them. My late grandmother, when annoyed by some stranger’s child on a flight, would slip it half a sleeping pill and tell it that it was a sweetie.

So let me say only that, as you emerge from the airport laden with bags, obscurely sticky, massively sleep-deprived, and perspiring freely, there are few things more welcome than being introduced to an air-conditioned car with a flower on the dashboard, bottles of water beaded with condensation in the cupholders, and cool white face-flannels emerging from their own dedicated chiller compartment between the front seats.

This goes double if, during a particularly tense moment on the flight out - around the time your son and heir was sick onto a copy of Grazia (I know, everyone’s a critic) - your wife was heard wondering aloud in a tone suggesting more than an abstract philosophical inquiry what it was that caused her to marry you in the first place.

We chose our hotel, shamelessly, for being the sort of place that made “luxury” an adjective rather than a noun. The Constance Lemuria’s drive snakes past a verdant and well-tended 18-hole golf course, and within your first ten minutes you’re presented with chilled coconut water straight from the nut, a bottle of something fizzy in an ice bucket (not Tizer), and a Balinese lady who will make very free with your bare feet if you sit anywhere near her.

Here is a slick exemplar of the international beach hotel: gated, clean as a whistle, its paths patrolled by Bond-villain golf-buggies, and its pools furnished with swim-up bars. It boasts of being a six-star resort, I suppose in the manner of the Spinal Tap guitarist whose amp went up to 11. Anyway, sneer if you like: it got our marriage back on track.

The luxury is of the generic, blandly tasteful international kind (though one hopes, this being a honeymoon, that the word will also carry a ghost of its archaic meaning, as decried by St. Thomas Aquinas). This is one of those places that seems to have been built entirely out of honey-colored marble, wooden slats, and fluffy white toweling. Every cupboard you open seems to contain another bathrobe. The temptation to put them all on at once and chase the kids about like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters is almost overwhelming.

Naturally, it takes not more than 18 minutes for my two children to turn these pristine spaces into a Lego-and-plastic-moocow-strewn approximation of our living-room floor. Plus, be warned, marble flooring and the wet feet of children are not the best combination. On our first day my daughter went for a burton twice within a ten-minute period: “Mummy! Mummy!” CRACK! (pause) “WaaaAAAAHHHHH!”

Lessons learned, it was down to eating, drinking, swimming, and sleeping. This was mostly what we did. There’s snorkeling to be had nearby, a nature reserve filled with exotic birds, and Coco De Mer palms (the celebrated pudenda-themed nut is native to Praslin), and a ferry goes from Baie St. Anne to the neighboring island of La Digue if you’re touristically minded. I have it on good authority that, in failing to check out La Digue, we missed out on some giant tortoises and glorious views from its 1,000-foot peak. (Can you Digue it?) Post-long haul, though, we’d developed Herbert Lom-style tics about the prospects of taking the kids anywhere. With our progeny and each other to enjoy, staying put, for the most part, seemed the most attractive way to spend our time.

Among other things, the wildlife comes to you. At one point I caught sight of something at the end of the lawn: was that a big snake? There, next to that rock. I looked closer. It wasn’t a snake. It wasn’t a rock. What I’d taken for a snake was the rock’s head: a hawksbill turtle the size of the spare tire on a Land Rover had crawled out of the sea with a view to laying her eggs at the bottom of our garden.

The island’s most beautiful beach, Anse Georgette (in Seychellois creole “anse” is a beach, though in other French creoles it’s “plage”), is just the other side of the golf course - a couple of hundred meters of white sand that is bookended by rocks and backed by greenery, free of loungers or beach bars. Be warned, though, it’s unpredictable. You’ll be standing knee-deep, admiring the black and white fish in the clear water beside you, when the sea will, just for giggles, send a wave steaming in unannounced at face height to knock you on your arse and leave your ears ringing.

Better for a swim are the southwesterly beaches by the main part of the hotel, which benefit from lifeguards and a shark net. Plus, you’re two minutes on sandy foot from the main hotel swimming pool, and a bite to eat in one of the three restaurants (the usual international buffet, as competently done as they can be, a very good bar and grill, and a “fine dining” restaurant we didn’t bother with).
The key thing, for us, was whether the romance and togetherness you look for in a honeymoon could be combined with the muddle of a family holiday. It just about could. Of course, putting the moves on the old lady when your one-year-old is up all night cutting a molar (thanks, kid) isn’t always the easiest. And a romantic meal at the Beach Bar and Grill, from whose terrace you can look down as shoals of big silver fish wash over the rocks below, nearly took a wrong turn after the same angry one-year-old started turfing the cutlery over the side (we managed to put him to sleep in his stroller eventually).

Plus, kids are attention-intensive: after four days there, my wife, reading Fifty Shades of Grey, still hadn’t got to a dirty bit. But there is romance, is there not, in watching your children happy and watching the mother of your children happy with them, entirely absorbed and not fretting about cooking, or washing up, or endlessly picking up toys, or wondering how to keep them amused for the last hour of the Long March to Bedtime? There is for me.

When you do choose to unload the kids, you’re covered. The resort’s formidably well-equipped kids’ club will take them from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm if you so choose. It’s free for kids of four and over, though younger kids will need a babysitter - about a tenner an hour; London rates. It has a timetable of different activities all week, a mini-swimming pool 40 cm deep (complete with dinky mini-loungers with tiny towels), Wendy house, Nintendo, slides, flotillas of ride-on cars, motorbikes and planes, pretty much every toy or game imaginable.

We - slightly guiltily - dropped them off one day to go for a grown-up lunch and a his ’n’ hers massage (you’ll know the drill, spa-wise: all jasmine tea and Muji-type slippers; very nice, and if you have a joint massage your wife can fall in love with you all over again as she listens to you snore). When we went back to collect them, my famously anti-social daughter was charging around playing king-of-the-castle with a handful of girls whom she had never met before, and strongly resisted leaving. I think it was the best day the children had.

Most important, I suppose, was that at no point did we get that belittling feeling of being scruffy breeders dirtying up a Sex and the City scenario. There were other kids about. And even that time Max was chasing the peacock round the pool shouting “Bub! Bub! Bub!,” those Russian guys and their pretty young girlfriends looked on with indulgence rather than annoyance.

So, friends, if you have a few thousand quid burning a hole in your back pocket, a couple of nippers, and a recent marriage to either celebrate or repair, you could do a lot worse than this. In fact, if your marriage survives the flight back, the prospect of a week in the Seychelles might even make you think about renewing your vows.

 

DREAM BEACH WEDDINGS AND PICTURE-PERFECT HONEYMOONS

Couples choosing to begin their lives together in Seychelles

 

Oct 28, 2012

The tropical islands of the Seychelles are whisking a number of couples from Europe, Africa, the Far East, and Middle East, as well as the Americas, who want to spend not only their honeymoon, but to celebrate the wedding itself in the islands.

The Seychelles are a picture-perfect choice for a dream beach wedding. The numbers of couples who want to spend not only their honeymoon, are taking advantage of all the latest wedding packages that Seychelles has to offer.

The Seychelles Tourism Board spent some time in the company of Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, who had their dream beach wedding on September 29, 2012 in the Seychelles at Anse Forbans.

Mr. Dunn, who is from the United State, and wife, a Syrian by origin, live in Kuwait. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were happy to share with the Seychelles Tourism Board their amazing experience and perceptions of the Seychelles.

Helping the couple with their beach perfect wedding, was Pastor Vidot from the Full Gospel Assemblies of God, who performed the wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, including families and friends, enjoyed a dinner party at Villa Bourganville.

"Although occasionally there were short sharp showers, the sun was very much out all day for the wedding. We wanted to come back to Seychelles since we spent our first holiday in the islands in May 2012, as we wanted to visit the rest of the islands. The service we received was second to none. We would also like to thank Pastor Vidot for his assistance from start to finish, and it was truly an amazing feeling," said Mr. Dunn.

What prompted the couple to have their wedding in Seychelles are the straight-forward formalities. It goes without saying, that they see Seychelles as a beautiful island, and the fact is that Seychelles is a wonderful destination.

"If you asked us where we would like to spend our holiday, I would say Seychelles. It has everything - the sand, sea, and beach. People feel welcome here and can make friends very easy. The people are very friendly, warm, and go out of their way to please the visitors - we think this is the most important aspect," explained Mr. Dunn.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunn’s happy moments didn't stop there; they spent their honeymoon on Silhouette and stayed in the luxury of Hilton Labriz Silhouette Seychelles Resort.

Mr. Dunn added that "the island of Silhouette with its traditional house and rich underwater life is especially attractive. The Seychelles has all the natural attributes associated with tropical paradise, a beauty mix of destinations, each with their own personality, beauty, and flavor."

The couple also spent a few days visiting Praslin island. “We had an incredible time in the Seychelles, and we will revisit the islands, as Seychelles is a very special magical country,” noted Mrs. Dunn.

 

UK JEWELER PRESENTS SEYCHELLES HONEYMOON COMPETITION

Honeymoon like royalty

 

Jul 26, 2012

Brown & Newirth London, the British brand that makes bespoke wedding and commitment rings, has launched a competition with selected retailers to win a 5-night honeymoon package to the Seychelles.

The package is worth £10,000, and the honeymoon will be spent at the 5-star Banyan Tree Seychelles.

Customers purchasing a hand-made Brown and Newirth wedding ring between now and December 31, 2012, can enter the prize draw to win the luxurious honeymoon.

The winning couple will be flown to the Indian Ocean archipelago courtesy of honeymoon experts, The Turquoise Holiday Company, and will spend 5 nights at the award winning Banyan Tree.

Staying in a Beachfront Spa Pool Villa on half-board basis, the prize also includes return flights from the UK and airport transfers in Seychelles, a special “destination dining” experience (a romantic beach gazebo dinner), and 2 180-minute spa sessions.

This prize will have a 12-month validity period, and the winners must be able to take the honeymoon offer within 2013.

The Seychelles Tourist Office in London, who is a partner in the competition, has said it was pleased to be associated with such a reputed jewelry company for a campaign which targets one of its most important niches.

The Seychelles Tourism Board’s PR and News Bureau manager in London, Lena Hoareau, said it was too good an opportunity to miss when the office was approached for collaboration, and she saw Seychelles as the perfect destination for this campaign.

“Seychelles is that dream destination that everyone talks about and everyone dreams of getting married or honeymooning there. Our islands have such a strong appeal, that the partners in this competition knew just where to knock,” she said.
She explained that throughout the 6-month nationwide campaign, Seychelles will be featured in several UK bridal magazines and jewelry press, which would further raise the profile of the islands as a top honeymoon destination.

The competition is also featured on the Brown and Newirth and Turquoise Holiday websites which means further visibility for the islands.

“The estimated reach for the next 6 months would be just amazing because Brown and Newirth makes an average 4,000 bespoke wedding rings every month, and that, over 6 months, will be approximately 24,000 customers hearing about Seychelles and getting excited about the prospect of spending their honeymoon there,” Mrs. Hoareau said, adding that the exposure will help to get Seychelles back at the top of the British travelers’ most favorite destinations.

Brown and Newirth Sales Director John Ball has also spoken of the great partnership on this competition, saying they were delighted with the outcome.
“We are delighted that CMJ Media has secured our partnership with Banyan Tree Resorts, Turquoise Holidays, and the Seychelles Tourist Board. This is a perfect synergy between a luxury honeymoon destination and a luxury wedding ring brand. The competition will be promoted nationally and will help draw wedding ring customers into retailers who offer Brown and Newirth rings and will give sales staff a compelling story to sell our rings,” he said.

More details on the honeymoon competition can be viewed online athttp://www.brownandnewirth.com/honeymooncompetition andhttp://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/honeymoon/brownandnewirth .

 

19 CHINESE NATIONAL COUPLES TO WED AND HONEYMOON IN SEYCHELLES

Chinese couples arrive in Seychelles for tropical weddings

 

Jun 14, 2012

Ethiopian Airlines touched down yesterday in the Seychelles islands with 19 young Chinese couples who have chosen to get married in Seychelles and to enjoy a honeymoon in the same destination as did the British Prince William and his new bride Kate Middleton.

The young Chinese couples, together with 32 media houses coming from China, 12 high dignitaries, and a group of potential Chinese investors, experienced firsthand the Seychelles charm with a tailor-made welcoming ceremony by the Seychelles Tourism Board and Mason's Travel. It was Mason's Travel which coordinated this wedding party’s itinerary on the islands.

As Ethiopian Airlines made its descent at Seychelles International Airport, a red banner scripted ''Welcome to Seychelles'' in Chinese set the rhythm for the welcoming ceremony driven by the traditional sound of Seychelles local music and dancers from the “ZEZ” band.

First off the plane was the Chairman of the Sino-Seychelles cultural organization, Mr. Cui Yongan, and he was followed by the Chinese couples who were warmly welcomed by the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Ambassador to the Republic of China, Mr. Philippe Le Gall, the Chinese Ambassador in Seychelles, Mr. Shi Zhongjun, and the General Manager of Mason's Travel, Mr. Eddie d'Offay.

The Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture described the Chinese arrival to Seychelles as symbolic.

“Today marks an important event for the tourism industry. Firstly, Seychelles has witnessed the arrival of the largest group of 19 Chinese couples ready to take their wedding vows together and in the one go in our country. They have converged to Seychelles with reputed media houses from China, and they are accompanied by investors. This visit by 82 Chinese nationals will contribute to increase Seychelles visibility on the Chinese market. The high Chinese delegation comes at an opportune time when Air Seychelles, the Seychelles national airline, has confirmed its plans and has already announced its intention to expand its international operations in January 2013 with 3 weekly flights to Beijing in China. This decision by Air Seychelles will help consolidate our islands’ presence on the Chinese market. Secondly, in the coming 2 weeks, Seychelles will play host to an important group of Chinese tour operators. The biggest outbound tour operators, who are already committed to marketing Seychelles as the NEW tourism destination for the Chinese holidaymakers, will be traveling to Seychelles for meetings with the Tourism Board, Air Seychelles, and will have an opportunity to meet our DMCs as they are showcased our beautiful country. This, we feel, is the way to go to ensure that Seychelles can receive its fair share of that important market,” said Minister Alain St.Ange, the island’s Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture.

The General Manager of Mason's Travel, Eddie D'offay, said that for the past years, Mason's Travel has been working jointly with its Chinese representatives to evaluate the potential of this emerging market.

“Europe has evolved as a main market for weddings in Seychelles with an increasing number of couples who have chosen this destination for their marriage vows. We've realized that the time to diversify is now, and that by tapping into the Chinese market, Seychelles can attract a new clientele. In January 2011, Mason's Travel brought to Seychelles its first Chinese couple to be wed at the Banyan Tree Resort Seychelles. This has triggered the interest of more Chinese couples to our shores. South Korea is another market on which Mason's Travel wedding portfolio is slowing gaining ground. The South Korean market has shown signs of interest in Seychelles as the getaway for marriage and honeymoons,” Mr. D’Offay of Mason’s Travel said.

The Chinese couples will spend 5 days in Seychelles to live the Seychelles experience. The 82 Chinese nationals, on this special visit to Seychelles, has been made possible by one of China’s highly-reputed companies, Quiangsheng, whose Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yue Zong Chao, also flew to Seychelles for this special tropical wedding ceremony.

 

PRIVATE DINNER UNDER THE STARS IN SEYCHELLES

Romantic package offer from Praslin Raffles

 

Mar 04, 2012

For a memorable honeymoon, Raffles Praslin Seychelles promises a romantic escape among paradisiacal surroundings.

From personalized 24-hour butler service to romantic dinner on the beach and private plunge pools, to couples spa treatments, everything about Raffles Praslin Seychelles is deeply romantic - and guarantees the most spectacular Indian Ocean view to awake to.

The “Honeymoon in Paradise” package at Raffles Praslin includes an exclusive stay in one of the spacious pool villas with outdoor pavilion, providing elegant comfort and luxurious amenities to spend privileged time in intimate settings. Villas have a light and contemporary design, with a specially-placed bath for star gazing and a private outdoor shower. To celebrate their romance, couples booking the package receive welcome amenities with Champagne upon arrival in their luxurious villa. Once during the stay, butlers will transform the villa into a haven with romantic décor and a drawn bath.

This idyllic package valid for a minimum of a 3-night stay, is valid until December 25, 2012, and also comprises a romantic dinner under the stars, with a candlelit set-up on the beach and a dedicated team for service. For a sensory treat, couples benefit from a 60-minute, side-by-side massage at the Raffles Spa, first signature Raffles-branded spa, themed around the pearl, symbolizing the wellness philosophy of transformation. Taking place in one of the Raffles Spa Suites offering spectacular views, couples can enjoy a true pampering pleasure.

The couple is treated to a daily breakfast featuring homemade pastries and jams along with live cooking stations in Losean restaurant or in the intimacy of their villa.

For a magical honeymoon getaway, starting from 660 euros per night, Raffles Praslin Seychelles is the perfect destination for couples to savor their one-of-a-kind moment.

For reservations and information - Tel: +248 429 6780/6791/6000, Email:bookus.praslin@raffles.com , Web: www.raffles.com/praslin .

Rate is subject to 15 percent tax and 10 percent service charge - terms and conditions apply.

 

BEACH WEDDING TO BE REMEMBERED

Seychelles holds first wedding of Chinese couple

 

Jan 29, 2012

Mason’s Travel is one of the Destination Management Companies (DMCs) proactive in the promotion of Seychelles in the Chinese market. They have embarked on a wonderful series of promotional activities on the Chinese Market laid out for 2012. Their year kicked off with a feature of Seychelles in the January edition of Cosmo Bride, focusing on some of the high-end properties, namely Raffles Praslin and Banyan Tree Seychelles.

As a follow-up promotion to this feature, again in partnership with Cosmo Bride China, they will benefit from a second write-up on the islands, this time, featuring an actual Chinese wedding in Seychelles. This wedding that will be covered is that of Ms. Yinan Cai and Mr. Zhiping Duan, and it took place right on the beach on January 27 at Banyan Tree Seychelles

Alain St.Ange, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, personally attended this first Chinese tourism wedding alongside a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Seychelles, Andrea Ma, the Chinese Representative of Mason’s Travel in China; and also a local Mason’s representative, a journalist from TODAY Newspaper; and the parents; the Banyan Tree Seychelles management; and friends of the happy couple.

This wedding follows the celebration of Chinese New Year, which saw the arrival of a large group of Chinese visitors arrive in Seychelles by a special Ethiopian Airline flight and by dedicated groups on Emirates.

After an exchange of gifts, guests were treated to a champagne reception followed by canapés and an offering of congratulations to the couple. This was followed by a photo session for the newlyweds at the lovely beach of Intendence.

 

WILLIAM AND CATHERINE MAKE BEACHES THE HONEYMOON HOTSPOT

Honeymoons that are just beachy

 

BY LINDA HOHNHOLZ, ETN | JUN 06, 2011

(eTN) - With the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge making North Island in the Seychelles their choice for a honeymoon, suddenly beach destinations are the hottest spots to celebrate the first few days of wedded bliss. Here we explore our top four picks for honeymoons that go beyond peachy – they are what we call simply “beachy.”

Hawaii
Just like William and Catherine's choice in the Seychelles, Hawaii has many islands to choose from for a honeymoon. Here, we focus in on the island of Oahu, home to the famous Waikiki Beach. Oahu is a rich and romantic honeymoon destination, where the options for a beachy honeymoon are seemingly endless. Couples can hold hands under the blue skies and leave footprints in the sands of Waimea Bay or unwind in the gentle waves of Waikiki. And there are many couples activities perfect for a honeymoon, from a lomilomi massage in one of Oahu’s fine resorts, to the simple enjoyment of a secluded beach fronting a home rental on the infamous North Shore.

If you can tear yourself away from your honeymoon nest, activities galore await on Oahu. Couples may kayak to the Mokulua Islands off of beautiful Kailua Beach, explore the Koolau mountains by horseback at Kualoa Ranch, take a tandem surfing lesson or go on a sunset sail in Waikiki, or even skydive together on the North Shore. The adventures are endless.

From romantic sunsets to candlelight dinners celebrating your new life together, Oahu - the “Heart of Hawaii” - is where you may discover the honeymoon of your dreams, and with 112 miles of sandy beaches just on Oahu alone, the perfect honeymoon awaits.

Maldives
If a honeymoon is meant to be a celebration of love in an intimate, secluded, and most importantly, beautiful setting, then the Maldives is one of the world’s best backdrops for all these things. There are endless ways to let the magic of the islands dazzle you on your holiday as a couple. A dinner under the stars with the occasional flicker of candle light to bring you back into the real world, a daring getaway to a nearby uninhabited island all by yourselves for the whole day, or just lazing around in your private bungalow watching the endless turquoise waters while you are treated to a spa treatment in the room.

You could choose to get to know each other through a swim around a house reef with a mask and fin, or dive among the beautiful, vibrant reefs. It is an experience you will relive again and again after you get back home. Indulge in some lighthearted competition on a night fishing trip by seeing who catches more. You will not forget the amazing boat trip you make at sunset before anchoring at a suitable fishing spot. It is as if nature plays with the colors of the setting sun just to ensure that you remember this day, this moment, and this love for the rest of your life.

Mauritius
If you are looking for a very special place to spend your honeymoon, Mauritius may just be the place for you. Whether your liking is a hotel, villa, bungalow, or resort, the island offers extensive honeymoon packages and wedding packages as well. They can also help you in organizing every single detail of the wedding ceremony. Everything is possible. You can choose to have an intimate, private occasion or a more adventurous way of exchanging vows.

Mauritius is a real paradise for those who want to enjoy the sea or just to soak up the sun. Some of the best beaches include: Grand Bay - One of the best areas for sailing, windsurfing, and water skiing, La Cuvette beach has been recently upgraded; Pereybere - This remarkable small cove half-way between Grand Bay and Cap Malheureux is one of the finest bathing spots on the island; Belle Mare - Here one finds miles and miles of white and spotless beaches from Belle Mare to Trou-d’Eau Douce; Blue Bay - This beach is one of the most popular bathing spots in the Southeast of the island and is an ideal spot for windsurfing and sailing; Le Morne & Tamarin - Offering kilometers of beaches for bathing and very popular for surfing; and Flic en Flac - White beaches fringed with filaos or Casuarina trees.

Mauritius, with lagoons of a typically tropical sweetness and endless white beaches, will transform your honeymoon into one unforgettable moment after another.

Seychelles
Sensual Seychelles, home to the unique Vallée de Mai, is claimed by some to be the original site of the Garden of Eden. Seychelles has long been dubbed the “islands of love” - a place where romance is as natural as the waves caressing the shores of a secret cove at midnight.

Seychelles is a place of safety and serenity, where an astonishingly surreal beauty and a languid pace of life conspire with an enviable tropical climate and welcoming people to provide a unique backdrop for those tender romantic experiences.

Here, couples may enjoy all the diversity in accommodation that Seychelles has to offer, from charming Creole guesthouses, intimate hotels both large and small, to the magical experience of sumptuous five-star resorts and exquisite island hideaways.

Be it a wedding, honeymoon, or an anniversary, unforgettable Seychelles holds the key to your dreams of romance in paradise. Just ask William - he said it was the best holiday he ever had, although we are sure honeymooning with Catherine had something to do with it, too.

 

BASED IN HAWAII, BELGIUM AND SEYCHELLES- ICTP DESTINATION ALLIANCE PRE-LAUNCH IN ZAMBIA

First global tourism destination alliance launched

 

May 31, 2011

The IIPT Peace Through Tourism conference in Zambia was the venue for the pre-launch for the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) first global destination alliance.

The CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Alain St. Ange and Chairman of the International Council of Tourism Partners, eTN Publisher Juergen Thomas Steinmetz used the Lusaka, Zambia IIPT conference "Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism" to make a pre-launch announcement for the new International Council of Tourism Partners destination alliance.

ICTP members will actively support national Green Growth strategies for carbon targets and sustainable travel & tourism through online support from greenearth.travel. Marketing assistance will be available through a world-class team of marketing and business development professionals.

Features, Advantages and Benefits
Steinmetz commented, “ICTP alliance members will benefit from joint- marketing and branding opportunities in primary and secondary markets which is ideal for small to medium-size destinations that may not have the resources for developing and implementing projects independently.”

The global travel alliance is:
• Ideal for small to medium-size destination
• A joint marketing effort. When one destination is unable to do it alone (i.e. provide representation at trade shows, organize/present electronic and virtual conferences, implement public relations, social media, publicity, advertising and sales promotions campaigns), the synergy of the alliance will enable even the smallest destination to have representation
• Able to provide cooperative media outreach through the use of social/electronic media conferences in primary and secondary markets
• Committed to strategic alliances for public – private partnership development
• Enthusiastic about the opportunities available through shared market research projects
• Assertively developing a domestic /international Smart Card reward system for trade professionals and leisure travelers

Board of Directors
Alliance Board Members currently include:
• Prof. Geoffrey Lipman, Director of Greenearth, former Assistant Secretary General for the UNWTO, and the first president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)
• Feisol Hashim, President of the Indonesian-based Alam Hotel Group and former Director of ASEAN Tourism. Hashim has also been a member of the PATA industry board and currently is the Hon. Consul for Malaysia in Bali, Indonesia
• Alain St. Ange is the Director of the Seychelles Tourism Board and initiated the internationally recognized Seychelles Carnival
• Juergen Thomas Steinmetz is the Publisher of eTN Publishing (including eturbonews.com, eTN Buzz, TourismExecutives.com). Steinmetz is a member of the UNWTO Task Group Against Exploitation of Children Through Tourism and a member of the US Department of Commerce Export Council. In addition, he is a member of the PATA industry Board of Directors
• Dr. Elinor Garely, a member of the faculty of the City University of New York, Coordinator of Travel and Tourism Studies at BMCC. Dr. Garely developed the first hotel/restaurant management program for the University of Shanghai, PRC and directed the first US/Russia joint-venture hotel project in Moscow.

Confirmed founding destination members include the Seychelles and Zimbabwe. Alliance members can be countries, regions and cities.

The International Institute for Peace Through Tourism and the Africa Travel Association have pledged their willingness to cooperate with this new alliance.

The alliance has been approached by numerous destinations and plans to announce more founders before the official launch.

The formal announcement of the global launch of the alliance will be held at the World Travel Market in London, November 2011.

The alliance will be represented in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, Brussels, Belgium and Victoria, Seychelles. A new web portal will be introduced in November 2011.

More information:
chairman@tourismpartners.org
PH: +1-808-566-9900

 

ROYAL COUPLE HOLIDAY DESTINATION

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make Seychelles the honeymoon hot spot

 

May 30, 2011

(eTN) - The mid-ocean islands of the Seychelles have taken their place as THE honeymoon destination since the British royal couple, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, decided to honeymoon in Seychelles themselves.

The May issue of the widely-read OK Magazine, is a commemorative issue of the British royal wedding, and it brought out glossy colorful pictures of the world’s most-watched wedding.

The official pictures published in the OK Magazine does justice to the young British couple's wedding, and it went further to add two pages on "Royal Jewels, the idyllic sun-kissed destinations that are fit for a future king and queen."

The Seychelles is listed as one of the destinations of the "Royal Jewels." The article was, in fact, written prior to the royals' honeymoon trip, and OK Magazine must be congratulated for having been able to zero in on the Seychelles as one of the likely honeymoon destinations. Seychelles is described by OK Magazine as the idyllic Indian Ocean archipelago comprised of 115 islands with many that are uninhabited and others that have private island resorts. OK Magazine said that the islands are protected as a part of the UNESCO marine park and are home to more than 800 species of fish, so these islands are the paradise for those who enjoy diving or snorkeling.

OK Magazine wrote that: “The Seychelles would make a perfect honeymoon destination for William and his new wife as it's ultra-exclusive.”

The British royals did, in fact, spend their once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon in the Seychelles. The predictions by OK Magazine were spot on, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traveled to Seychelles and are now back safely in the United Kingdom with a great suntan as seen on television during their meeting with President and Mrs. Obama of the United States of America.

We all remember the tightlipped Seychelles during the time of the honeymoon. Much to the annoyance of journalists, they refused to commit to the presence in the Seychelles of the royal couple. They remained committed to their privacy policy and their "personalized style of tourism they call the Seychelles brand."
But their official statement aired on the day of the departure of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from the Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, who said, ”The people of Seychelles are truly honored the Prince William and his wife chose to return to Seychelles for this special holiday, and we are proud to have been able to offer them a peaceful and private getaway.”

Alain St.Ange, the very known and visible head of the Seychelles Tourism Board, on his part confirmed in that same official release that it was the first time that the Seychelles had received this unprecedented level of attention but that he was pleased that Seychelles had been able to offer the royal honeymooners the level of seclusion they deserved for such an important occasion as their honeymoon. “It was also pleasing to note that they left happy and clearly content with their stay,” Alain St.Ange, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board said.

 

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE HAVE LEFT THE SEYCHELLES

Seychelles bids farewell to royal couple

 

BY ETN SEYCHELLES | MAY 21, 2011

The newly-married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left the Seychelles following a 10-day honeymoon retreat on North Island.

The Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam; the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), Mr. Alain St.Ange; and the Seychelles High Commissioner to Great Britain, Mr. Patrick Pillay; along with the British High Commissioner to Seychelles, Mr. Matthew Forbes and his wife Lydia; were present to bid the royal couple farewell yesterday afternoon at the Zil Air airport hangar.

“The people of Seychelles are truly honored that Prince William and his wife chose to return to Seychelles for this special holiday, and we are proud to have been able to offer them a peaceful and private getaway,” said the Minister.

“There has been much speculation as to the whereabouts of the couple, but we pride ourselves in being discreet and offering an unparalleled level of privacy, which is why we have refused to confirm the reports till now. We hope their stay was everything they had hoped for, and we look forward to welcoming them back to our shores again in the future.”

Due to the media frenzy surrounding the Duke and Duchess, the Seychelles Coast Guard was on hand to assist the couple during their stay and ensure that they, along with the other guests of the island, were able to enjoy their holiday uninterrupted. During their last day, the Duke and Duchess took the time to invite the Coast Guard crew members to the island to personally thank them for their efforts.

The head of STB, Mr. St.Ange told eTurboNews that this is the first time Seychelles has had this unprecedented level of attention, but he was pleased that Seychelles had been able to offer them the level of seclusion they deserved for such an important occasion as their honeymoon.

“It was also pleasing to note that they left happy and clearly content with their stay,” added Mr. St.Ange.

High Commissioner Pillay, who also attended the wedding ceremony in Westminster Abbey on April 29, said that:

“In a world of so much turmoil, they bring a welcome and much-needed breathe of fresh air with their warmth and humility.”

 

ROYAL COUPLE HONEYMOON IN THE SEYCHELLES. TOURISM CHIEF STILL NOT CONFIRMING

eTN independently confirmed William and Kate are honeymooning in the Seychelles

 

BY JUERGEN T. STEINMETZ | MAY 11, 2011

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge honeymoon couple did in fact select the Seychelles for their honeymoon. ETN has independently confirmed this from a reliable source in the Seychelles. ETN agreed not to identify the name of the private island resort at this time.

The world has been asking where are the royal newlyweds spending their honeymoon? Following numerous articles about them being in Seychelles, eTN reporters called Alain St.Ange, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, to find out an official version on the matter.

Alain St.Ange referred to a statement he had made to the press association which said:

“We appreciate the time you took to find out the what was said or not said by Seychelles.

Our islands have always appreciated the fact that we hold good and friendly ties with Great Britain. As a former British Colony, we value our historical links and the bond between the people of Great Britain and the Seychelles that has come about because of this historical past.

"The quotes published about the royal honeymoon has not come from the Seychelles Tourism Board. They are simply fabricated quotes. As discussed, I only flew back into the country this morning after having been to the ATM [Arabian Travel Market] Tourism Trade Fair in Dubai and the INDABA Tourism Trade Fairs in Durban, South Africa.

"Seychelles is one of the few tourism destinations that promotes ‘personalized tourism.’ We can do that, because we value our visitors and give them space to be themselves. We do have many, many stars and famous personalities on a year-round basis who holiday in Seychelles, the mid-ocean islands called the destination of perpetual summer, but we never make statements on who is here, because privacy is what we guarantee.

"We have read all the comments about the royal honeymoon and can say that Seychelles watched the royal wedding on television, and the people of Seychelles joined with our President, Mr. James Michel, when he sent his congratulations message to the wedding couple and to the British royal family."

The remarks from the Seychelles Tourism Board could have been expected, but it will not satisfy the curiosity of the international press. ETN can also confirm that no statements have been issued from the Palace in Great Britain with regard to the honeymoon of their newlyweds.

So is it the Seychelles, the must visited paradise islands in the Indian Ocean? Or is it somewhere else?

ETN has now confirmed - it is the Seychelles!

 

DESTINATION ROMANCE

British couple revisits Seychelles for their 25th wedding anniversary of their Seychelles dream wedding

 

Jun 02, 2010

A British couple, Ray and Judi Bullock, were recently on a special holiday in Seychelles to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary as they got married in the tropical creole islands of the Seychelles 25 years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Bullock arrived in the Seychelles last Saturday, May 22, the exact date of their wedding anniversary.

The couple was married in 1985 in a civil wedding ceremony at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino after Mrs. Bullock convinced her then-to-be husband Ray to make Seychelles their wedding destination.

“Judi was particularly looking for an exotic and romantic location, but one which was affordable. Whilst there are a number of such locations on the planet... the Seychelles seemed to be calling her," said Mr. Bullock, adding, “Whether you want to call it instinct or intuition, I think she got it right.”

To celebrate this milestone, the couple spent 10 days here, where they met with Vivian Labiche, the registrar of their wedding and, without any questions, spent a few nights at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort. They also stayed at the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa on Mahé, Labriz Silhouette, and La Reserve Hotel on Praslin.

Helping to make the Bullock’s 25th anniversary more memorable, were Air Seychelles, who gave the couple discounted Pearl Class tickets, and Creole Travel Services, who provided VIP transfers on arrival, as well as transfers for the rest of their stay, while the Seychelles Tourism Board hosted them for lunch at the Marie-Antoinette, the restaurant specializing in Seychelles Creole Cuisine.