High-level meeting between Zambia and Seychelles is being planned

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Aug 30, 2013

It has been confirmed by the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture that discussions are in progress for a high-level delegation from Zambia to travel to Seychelles for discussions on tourism cooperation.

The preliminary discussions were held during a cruise on the Zambezi hosted by the Zambian Vice President, Mr. Guy Scott, for tourism ministers attending the UNWTO General Assembly. The Seychelles Minister, Mr. Alain St.Ange, discussed the proposal for a high-level meeting in Seychelles with Zambia's Vice President Guy Scott, Zambia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Wylbur Simuusa, and Zambia's Minister responsible for Tourism and the Arts Sylvia Masebo.

The proposition on the table is for the high-level delegation from Zambia, accompanied by senior officers from the Zambia Tourism Board, to travel to Seychelles as a follow-up to the MOU signed in Zambia last week between the Seychelles and Zambia Tourism Ministers.

"Seychelles and Zambia complement each other in the world of tourism. The iconic and mighty Victoria Falls and the abundance of big game for memorable safaris and the unrivaled white sandy beaches of the mid-ocean tropical islands of the Seychelles and their big game fishing experience can be marketed as a unique holiday option for long-haul travelers from Europe, the Americas, and Asia," Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles said as he was leaving Zambia this week.

PHOTO: Seated - Zambia's Vice President Mr. Guy Scott and Zambia's Minister responsible for Tourism and the Arts, Mrs. Sylvia Masebo; Standing - Zambia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Wylbur Simuusa and Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture Mr. Alain St.Ange

 

CARIBBEAN AND THE INDIAN OCEAN AND THEIR NEW TOURISM LINKS

Caribbean and Vanilla Islands cooperation discussion in Zambia

 

 

Hon. Stephen Cadiz and Hon. Alain St.Ange

 

Aug 30, 2013

The sitting President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization is reaching out to the far away Caribbean Islands Tourism Organization (CTO). "Yes, CTO and the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization sit on the other side of the world from each other, but our challenges remain the same. We are all small island developing states vulnerable from climate change phenomena and dependent on availability of good, efficient, and regular air access, and need to meet as organizations and discuss joint actions to keep our respective islands relevant and visible," the Seychelles Tourism Minister said to a Zambia press reporter at the UNWTO meeting.

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, and currently the sitting President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization, accompanied by Pascal Viroleau, the CEO of the La Reunion Island Tourism (IRT), met Wykeham McNeill, the Minister for Tourism and Entertainment of Jamaica, and Stephen Cadiz, the Minister for Tourism of Trinidad & Tobago, using the UNWTO 20th General Assembly in Zambia and Zimbabwe to meet to discuss island grouping cooperation.

The Jamaican Minister has proposed that the group of tourism ministers attending WTM (World Travel Market) in London in November should make the effort to meet and discuss ways to develop an avenue for cooperation. This proposition was supported by the Minister from Trinidad & Tobago and by the Head of the La Reunion Island Tourism.

Similar discussions were held with the PS of the Bahamas Tourism and with the Minister of Tourism of Madagascar.

In the meantime, the President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization has confirmed to Member States of the UNWTO that the next Ministerial Meeting of the Vanilla Islands is scheduled to take place on La Reunion Island on September 10. "This meeting will see for the first time representatives from Seychelles, La Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Mayotte joined by Maldives, Rodrigues of Mauritius, Nosy Bay of Madagascar, Praslin of the Seychelles, and La Digue of the Seychelles," Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles said.

The guiding vision for the sitting President of the Vanilla Islands is to get every island of the Indian Ocean together in the one grouping. "We need to work with our island brothers and sisters to take their USPs and make hem the region's USPs. We need to develop cruise ship itineraries that will offer the diversity of this region which encompasses Africa, India, the IOC (Indian Ocean Commission) Islands, and Asia. We will be even more unique as a region when we work together as a region," the Seychelles Minister St.Ange said.

Other islands sitting in the Indian Ocean are being invited to attend this coming Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization meeting in La Reunion. These may include the Mozambique Islands of Mozambique, Zanzibar of Tanzania, and Sri Lanka to name but a few. The Seychelles Minister last year attended and addressed the CTO (Caribbean Tourism Organization) General Assembly in St. Kitts & Nevis.

 

LOUIS D'AMORE OF THE IIPT (INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PEACE THROUGH TOURISM)

Jordan & Seychelles tourism talk peace through tourism

 

 

Aug 29, 2013

Mr. Akel Biltaji, the Jordan's Upper House of Parliament Senator and Tourism and Heritage Chairman and Minister Alain St.Ange, he Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture used the opportunity of the Tree Planting Ceremony in the Livingstone International Peace Park to discuss with Mr. Louis D'Amore, the President of the IIPT (International Institute for Peace through Tourism) areas for further cooperation between his institute and countries committed to the development of tourism as an industry.

Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles reminded Mr. Louis D'Amore of his standing invitation to use the unique annual carnival of carnivals that is staged in the Seychelles during the last weekend of the month of April to further the cause of the IIPT. "The Carnaval International de Victoria in the Seychelles is an event worth looking at to further the cause of the IIPT. As delegations from the best and most known carnivals of the world parade together followed by cultural troupes from the Community of Nations in a climate of tranquility and peace, what a better event to talk peace through tourism" Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles said.

Senator Biltaji of Jordan, who had brought a number of Olive Trees all the way from Jordan for the Zambian tree planting event held just prior to the Opening Ceremony of the UNWTO 20th General Assembly, said that Seychelles had been on his list of countries to visit.

Discussions are now underway to formalize a visit to Seychelles by Louis D'Amore, the President of IIPT and Senator Biltaji of Jordan.

 

Elsia Grandcourt, new UNWTO Director for Africa, addresses 20th General Assembly

 

 

Elsia Grandcourt

 

Aug 29, 2013

Elsia Grandcourt, the former CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, has now formally taken up her new position as the UNWTO Director for Africa after being called to the podium to address the 20th UNWTO General Assembly being held in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

This was the opportunity for Seychelles born and bred Elsia Grandcourt to introduce herself to Ministers and to Heads of Mission who were present in Zambia and Zimbabwe for the UNWTO 20th General Assembly.

When he introduced Elsia Grandcourt as his newly-appointed Director for Africa, Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, said he was pleased to be welcoming not only an able tourism personality from Africa, but a female member on his senior management team.

Before coming to the UNWTO, Elsia Grandcourt worked alongside Alain St.Ange, the current Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture. She was his Deputy CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board when he occupied the position of CEO, and she was promoted to head the dynamic Seychelles Tourism Board when Alain St.Ange joined the government of the Seychelles as Minister.

The Seychelles Tourism industry is today regarded as a success story, and the island's Tourism Board respected as a dynamic and an innovative Board.

When addressing the General Assembly in both English and French, Elsia Grandcourt said:

"I am deeply honored to be participating in this 20th General Assembly and more so to join the UNWTO team in the capacity of Regional Director Program for Africa. Coming from a small African developing island state myself, I would like to assure the Africa region of my full and undivided support, my commitment, and my dedication to work together with you towards consolidating tourism in Africa, and achieving a healthy growth in the tourism industry on the African continent, as I am a firm believer that Africa should work together as one, to improve the visibility of our continent on the world tourism stage."

Elsia Grandcourt then continued her address in French where she highlighted the fact that for a healthy tourism industry it was essential that stability and peace existed. She also said that Africa needed to have the will to work together and the conviction to believe in what the continent owned as tourism products.

She then went on to spell out that by working together, a lot could be achieved as she again re-assured everyone of her support, her determination, and of her total commitment, and ended by saying that she was also counting on Africa's support for her as the new UNWTO Director for Africa.

"I look forward to working with you to achieve our common objectives, the objectives of the UNWTO and of the individual member states," said Elsia Grandcourt before congratulating and thanking Zambia and Zimbabwe, the two host countries for the 20th General Assembly of the UNWTO, for offering a spectacular setting and for the stunning location that has showcased the diversity that Africa has to offer.

 

Seychelles Tourism Minister: the key to our success is our ability to work together

 

 

Seychelles Minister of Tourism & Culture Alain St. Ange

 

Aug 27, 2013

The newly-appointed member of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council, Seychelles Tourism & Culture Minister Alain St. Ange, addressed the 20th General Assembly on day one of the Plenary Session.

The session was attended by Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO, was held at the Elephant Hill Hotel in Zimbabwe and co-chaired by the Tourism Ministers of Zimbabwe and Zambia as the General Assembly's joint Co-Presidents.

The Seychelles Minister started his address by saying that he was not taking to the floor to spell out the virtues of Seychelles. "I really do not need to remind you of the unique USPs of Seychelles, because you are all here as tourism heads from the Community of Nations, and as such you all know the unrivaled beauty of the Seychelles. If I was going to talk about clean white sandy beaches that is synonymous with Seychelles, you will all say that this attribute of Seychelles you already know. The same about our warm, our clean, and our clear turquoise blue seas. But it is about the people, the Creole population of Seychelles, this you need to be reminded of. It is important to remind you all that we are as diverse a population as it can be living on 115 tropical mid-ocean islands," Minister St.Ange said as he started his intervention.

The Minister from the Seychelles went on to explain that he started his intervention with this remark to be able to make a statement on the diversity that makes the Seychelles. The Minister was referring to the diversity in the composition of islands that makes the Seychelles, as these islands are composed of both granitic islands and the flat coral islands over and above the diversity in the island's population, culture, and cuisine, and because of the seriousness of the Seychelles via a via its tourism industry. "We are a country where tourism remains the pillar of our economy," the Seychelles Minister said.

"Diversity is also reflected in the Membership of the UNWTO. This is why I spoke about diversity that exists in Seychelles, and this is why we need to ensure that politics and religion remain outside the world of tourism," Minister St.Ange from the Seychelles said.

Minister Alain St.Ange then went on to talk about tourism in Africa and for the need for Africa to be united in their tourism drive. The Seychelles Minister said: “I now need to take a minute to look at the continent where we sit as Seychelles. At the tree planting ceremony last week in Livingstone Zambia, the Founding President, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda, said One Zambia, One Nation. Taking a leaf from his vision I say today One Africa, One United People. Mr. Chairman, a united people can spell out the ambition for Africa to work with Africa if we want Africa to become strong, and if we want Africa to have a consolidated tourism industry, but for Africa to work with Africa, it is important for Africa to know Africa. So friends, colleagues, and tourism professionals here present let us join together to make Africa strong. We can do that, yes we can.

“Today I commend the Secretary General of the African Union, Mrs. Dlamini Zuma, for having accepted to hear the plea we ourselves made, but a plea that was supported by many Member States. This plea was to have a Tourism Chapter under the auspices of the African Union, but an African Tourism Grouping working under and working with the UNWTO," the Seychelles Minister said.

Minister Alain St.Ange then spoke about what Africa had as historical listed icons or places with outstanding natural beauty. "The time has arrived for an African Heritage Site listing and labeled accordingly. We have to encourage ourselves to declare these sites as protected for humanity, because they are the treasures we have," the Seychelles Minister said.

On the UNWTO, Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles said that he valued the moral tourism body. "We salute the work of its Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rifai. Today we also want to congratulate Elsia Grandcourt on her appointment as the Director for Africa at the UNWTO. Dr. Rifai, your gain is our loss, a loss for Seychelles. On a different point, one humble observation from Seychelles is to request the UNWTO to work more in and to work more with UNWTO Member States. We all see meetings and we all see programs in countries who are not members of the UNWTO. This is not encouraging them to become members. We really need to revisit our plan of action to be member centered," the Seychelles Minister said.

The address by Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles then moved his attention to events organized in Africa. He spoke about the Tourism Trade Fair of INDABA in South Africa and about the carnival of carnivals, the Carnaval International de Victoria, that is staged during the last weekend of April annually.

"A carnival where the best and where the most-known carnivals of the world parade together and side by side are followed by cultural troupes from the Community of Nations, using culture and people for the marketing of a destination. This is what Seychelles offers to the world through its carnival in Africa," the Seychelles Minister said.

Minister Alain St.Ange also spoke about the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization of which he is the sitting President. He touched on the September Ministerial meeting which will be held in La Reunion Island but a day before the UNWTO Sustainable Tourism meeting under the chairmanship of Taleb Rifai himself. The Minister qualified the grouping's aim as working together as islands of the Indian Ocean in the field of marketing.

When he was concluding his address, Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles said, "Many points can continue to be made and many challenges can be tabled, but key to our success is our individual ability to work together."

 

UNWTO General Assembly: Zambia and Seychelles sign agreement

 

 

Aug 27, 2013

The Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange together with his counterpart Honorable Mrs. Sylvia Masebo, the Minister of Tourism and the Arts for Zambia seized the opportunity of the 20th General Assembly of the UNWTO in Zambia to formalize the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the field of Tourism between Seychelles and Zambia.

The Seychelles Minister broke with tradition of the UNWTO Meetings when he requested during his address that Seychelles and Zambia be allowed to sign their MOU during the convention for Africa session of the UNWTO General Assembly where all delegates could be witnesses of this new cooperation agreement.

The MOU signed by Seychelles and Zambia will allow the 2 countries to cooperate, exchange and share ideas and best practices as well as challenges and opportunities faced within the tourism industry by their team.

Tourism is the mainstay of the Seychelles economy whilst for Zambia it is the fourth pillar of their economy. The areas of cooperation will cover various points such as the following:

-promotion of events
-joint research and planning
-joint marketing and promotion programs
-training and skills development program
-tourism investment promotion

The Seychelles Minister commented that this is a great moment for the 2 countries as we pave the way to show that Africa can work with Africa and that Africa can learn from success stories of each other.

The Seychelles Minister and his delegation stayed at the David Livingstone Lodge and Spa during this visit. They said that they have experienced the comfort and ease of a well-managed resort built sustainably right in the middle of a natural reserve. “This is a great example of where best practices on such an achievement can be shared between the countries under the MOU,” said the Seychelles Minister.

It is expected that the Zambian Minister will be visiting Seychelles in the very near future. Zambia is also one African Country that participated with a Cultural Delegation during the 2013 Carnival International de Victoria in Seychelles.

 

UNWTO ROUNDTABLE

Tourism Minister for Seychelles speaks of unity in Africa

 

 

Minister Alain St.Ange

 

Aug 27, 2013

The Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, spoke about unity in Africa at the Ministerial Roundtable conducted during the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly (GA) meeting. Minister St.Ange said Africa needed to work together for the spirit of open borders to become a reality.

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO, chaired the Ministerial Roundtable meeting of Tourism Ministers from the Community of Nations who were all in Zambia and Zimbabwe for the 20th GA. The meeting was centered on simplifying border control in a bid to entice and also to increase tourism.

Minister St.Ange also referred to the one Europe through the European Union saying that for this block a one visa policy was working. "But for Seychelles I need to state openly that as far as we are concerned, we see the Community of Nations as friends and as such we apply a NO VISA policy in Seychelles," said Minister Alain St.Ange.

The Seychelles Minister also spoke about the need for Africa to pat itself on the back now that the African Union (AU) had agreed to look at the idea of having a tourism chapter as part of its responsibilities. "Tourism remains the one industry that can create employment for the people of Africa, and it can put money in the pockets of our respective peoples if we work together to consolidate it for the long run," Minister Alain St.Ange said.

He then spoke about the move by Seychelles to sign a number of MOUs, and these included the ones signed with Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, La Reunion Island, and with Mauritius.

Speaking to the international and Zambian press after the meeting, the Seychelles Minister said that his delegation had been working long hours to meet all the deadlines for meetings already planned with the different countries and tourism organizations. "We can come here alone and leave with possible successes of a man, or you can come as a team and work to maximize possibilities of your working visit," said Minister Alain St.Ange.

The Seychelles delegation at the 20th General Assembly of the UNWTO has said that they are satisfied with their successes which will bear fruit for the country and which will make every patriotic Seychellois proud.

 

SUCCESSFUL AUGUST 15 CELEBRATIONS IN SEYCHELLES

Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture congratulates La Digue

 

 

Aug 26, 2013

Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, has said that the organizers of the La Digue 2013 celebrations for August 15 needed to be congratulated for a job well done.

The Minister was personally on La Digue to open the 2013 celebrations alongside Mrs. Chantal Ghislain, Member of the National Assembly, and Mrs. Barbara Barallon, the District Administrator, and her team.

“La Digue has traditionally had August 15 as its day. A day cenered on the Roman Catholic Feast of the Assumption with its alfresco mass at the grotto and the procession back to the church. The organizers of the La Digue feast have worked with success to make La Digue a must-visit island during this annual celebration. This has been achieved only because of the togetherness approach between the public and private sector of La Digue,” said Minister St.Ange, himself a Diguois by birth.

Minister Alain St.Ange also thanked the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) for partnering with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Seychelles Tourism Board, and the La Digue Celebrations Committee. “SBC moved its FM Radio Station to La Digue for this feast. Their open air studio helped create the awareness of the feast as they provided non-stop entertainment and buzz at La Pass, the heart of La Digue,” said the Minister.

This year an old photo exhibition of life on La Digue was also created and the annual yacht race was again organized, and this event attracted many more participants. The island has seen more activities this year, and this has resulted in many more revelers traveling to La Digue to be part of the celebrations.

The Department of Culture of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture this year brought its National Troupe to perform at the August 15 Dance in the District Administration hall. This evening with traditional music provided entertainment until daybreak to revelers out to enjoy the La Digue celebrations.

The La Digue tourism trade also this year rallied to launch their very own website to market their island as one of the key USPs of the Seychelles. This initiative was coordinated by Mr. Gerald Lablache of the Patatran Hotel.

Seychelles elected to the Executive Council of the UNWTO at the 20th General Assembly

 

 

Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles addressing the Commission for Africa of the UNWTO

 

Aug 26, 2013

Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, who was leading an important delegation to the 20th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) did his country proud when the Seychelles candidature was successful at the Commission for Africa (CAF) of the UNWTO for a full seat on the Executive Council.

Other countries who came in on the Executive Council with the Seychelles are Tunisia, Angola, and South Africa. "It is good for Seychelles to take its rightful place on the World Tourism Body of the Community of Nations. This helps our islands to be heard and to be seen as a relevant tourism destination. Members of our delegation have been working hard in meetings with other organizations such as SADC, RETOSA, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization and also with other Member States. Because we worked as a team, and because we came as a team instead of just a Minister, we managed to do Seychelles proud. Our Seychelles delegation has also worked long hours with their Zambian counterpart to finalize all arrangements for an MOU to be signed between Zambia and Seychelles during the 20th General Assembly of the UNWTO when the eyes of the world tourism was on Africa," Minister Alain St.Ange said.

Members of his delegation included Anne Lafortune, the PS for Tourism; Sherin Naiken, the CEO of the Tourism Board; David Germain, the Seychelles Tourism Board's Director for Africa and the Americas based in Cape Town South Africa; and Jenifer Sinon, the Board's Director for Administration and HR. Accompanying the Seychelles delegation to the 20th General Assembly was Jimmy Butt, the Seychelles Tourism Ambassador in Zambia, and also Elsia Grandcourt, the outgoing CEO of the island's Tourism Board, whose new posting as the UNWTO's Director for Africa was to be announced at the General Assembly itself.

"We knew that someone from our islands was going to be named as the Director for Africa for the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and it was important to have the person with us as part of our team. Elsia Grandcourt has done Seychelles proud, and everyone in our islands who has Seychelles at heart will be rejoicing that a Seychelloise from the whole world of tourism has been singled out to take up such an important position in the world's tourism umbrella body," the Seychelles Minister said in Zambia.

"We are, of course, happy to now have a seat on the Executive Council of the UNWTO. This United Nations tourism body remains the most important grouping for the tourism industry. Our presence will help us to get our region and Africa more in focus when decisions on or about tourism is being made," Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles said.

 

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PEACE THROUGH TOURISM LOUIS D'AMORE TAKES PEACE PARKS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Peace parks: The tourism industry represented by IIPT is expanding dedications

 

 

Aug 25, 2013

This is the third time Zambia is in the Center of Peace Through Tourism in the last year. After hosting two international events for the International Institute for Peace of Tourism (IIPT), and after dedicating Victoria Falls as a Peace Park 3 years ago, Zambia is firm on its commitment to support peace and tourism. On the day prior to the opening of the UNWTO General Assembly in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the President of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, Louis D'Amore, said at the re-dedication of Victoria Falls as a peace park and tree planting.

Without question Zambia has been taking a leading role in tourism over the years and plans to continue this commitment.

“We are most honored to have with us today, His Royal Highness Chief Mukuni of the Leya people on whose lands Victoria Falls is located; Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, First President of Zambia; and Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). And IIPT expresses its sincere appreciation to H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji of Jordan for traveling to Livingstone to join us in this re-dedication of the Victoria Falls IIPT International Peace Park with six olive trees from Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of Christ’s baptism, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where IIPT dedicated an International Peace Park on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the first year of the new millennium as a legacy of its First Global Summit. With the planting of these six olive trees to day, Jordan and Zambia – Victoria Falls, and Bethany Beyond the Jordan are now symbolically linked as ‘places of peace,’” D’Amore said.

“I am also pleased to announce that as we re-dedicate this Peace Park today, some thirty more peace parks are being dedicated in South Africa, the Caribbean, and India as these towns and villages dedicate themselves to peace as part of IIPT’s new Peace Town initiative recently launched with Skal International. Dr. Kalifungwa and I would like to thank you all for coming and joining us on the re-dedication of the IIPT Victoria Falls International Peace Park, and God bless you all," D’Amore concluded.

 

ELSIA GRANDCOURT, FORMER CEO, SEYCHELLES TOURISM BOARD, NOW DIRECTOR FOR AFRICA, UNWTO

Seychelles tourism personality takes over as Director for Africa at the UNWTO

 

 

Elsia Grandcourt / Photo by Christian Del Rosario, eTN

 

Aug 25, 2013

Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization), announced at the 20th General Assembly of the UNWTO at the Royal Livingstone Resort in Victoria Falls, Zambia, that Elsia Grandcourt, the former CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, had been appointed as the new Director for Africa at the UNWTO.

The announcement was made in the presence of Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, and all the other Ministers from Africa during the Commission for Africa (CAF) Session of the UNWTO.

Elsia Grandcourt studied Hotel Management at the SATEC Hospitality Training Centre in Singapore and has worked in hotels, an airline, and a destination management company (DMC) before moving in at the Seychelles Tourism Board as Deputy CEO in 2010 to work alongside Alain St.Ange, who was at that time CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

It was in 2012 that Elsia Grandcourt was promoted to the position of CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board after Alain St.Ange was appointed the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture.

Elsia Grandcourt replaces Ousmane Ndiaye who had been the Regional Director for Africa at the UNWTO for many years.

Speaking to the press after the official announcement of the appointment of Elsia Grandcourt was made by Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, said that he was proud to see a Seychellois national appointed to such an important position at the UNWTO, "It is great for Seychelles, and I am proud," Minister St.Ange said.

The Seychelles Tourism Board remains one body that is today in the limelight because of their ongoing successes. Seychelles continues to see positive growth in the visitor arrival numbers with year-to-date figures showing a 14% growth over the 2012 figures.

Seychelles tourism has been working hard on regional integration, with the islands now holding the Presidency of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization and they have been actively promoting twin-center holiday options with the African mainland using the tag line “From the Big Five of Africa...to the Best Five of the Seychelles.” It was in the Seychelles in 2012 that the very successful Routes AFrica conference was organized.

Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles is regarded as having been the mentor for Elsia Grandcourt during her time at the Seychelles Tourism Board.

 

President Kaunda of Zambia and Seychelles Minister St.Ange meet in Livingstone

 

 

Photo credit: Christian Del Rosario, eTN

 

Aug 25, 2013

The founding President of Zambia, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda, and Mr. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, met at the International Peace Park in Livingstone during the IIPT tree planting event to mark the UNWTO 20th General Assembly which is being organized jointly by Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Both former President Kaunda of Zambia and Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles were guests of Mr. Louis D'Amore, the President of the USA-based IIPT (International Institute for Peace through Tourism Organization).

Former President Kaunda and Minister St.Ange first met each other in Lusaka two years ago when President Kaunda was the guest of honor to address an international tourism forum alongside President Banda.

The discussions between the Zambian founding President and the Seychelles Minister were seen as free and very cordial.

 

Seychelles small tourism establishments playing a key role in the tourism sector

 

 

Aug 24, 2013

President James Michel of the Seychelles visited several small tourism establishments in the Beau Vallon and Bel Ombre areas of north of Mahe this morning. The visit forms part of a series of visits the President is undertaking in different workplaces and districts.

The President said that the tourism sector will always stay an important part of the pillar in the economy, and his vision is for Seychellois to take ownership of their economy in the different sectors such as tourism, fisheries, agriculture, and others.

“The aim of my visit is to give encouragement to the Seychellois entrepreneurs who have decided to participate in the development of the tourism industry by doing business and building as well as running small guesthouses. I think this is very good and healthy for the economy; that we empower the Seychellois and they take this opportunity for them to be able to participate in the tourism industry and build their guesthouses, run them, and also give the industry the possibility to develop in this range of products that they will provide to their clients,” said President Michel in an interview with the local press.

There are presently 106 small establishments in the North of Mahe, and Mr. Michel has expressed his satisfaction at seeing that more Seychellois entrepreneurs are taking the initiative to work and develop their ability in the tourism sector. He said that the large amount of guesthouses that have been built or are still under construction shows that Seychellois are interested in doing business, in doing projects that are beneficial for them as well as the restaurants in that area, and in creating more employment and wealth for the country.

The President also highlighted that there are different facilities that the government has put in place for someone who wishes to start a small tourism establishment such as facilitating credit and access to land for lease or purchase, and eliminating bureaucracy that presently exists. He said that the creation of the new Department of Enterpreneurship Development and Business Innovation will support this facilitation.

“I was very impressed with what I saw, and I think all the operators I spoke to said they are very happy and their business is working well, and I would like to encourage other Seychellois who want to go in this line of business to take this opportunity that we have facilitated and see if they can participate in it and help to create wealth for themselves and for the country,” said President Michel.

President Michel noted that there is still room for improvement in the north of Mahe by making it look more interesting and attractive as it is the main area where tourists and Seychellois comes to spend their time. Improvements would include safer pedestrian access, street lights, pavement for pedestrian walkways, and planting of more flowers, among others.

The President was accompanied on the visit by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St. Ange; the Secretary General of the Executive Office of the President, Mrs. Lise Bastienne; Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs. Anne Lafortune; Former Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt; Tourism Product and Visitor Services Manager, Mr. Josh Cesar; and other officials.

 

Seychelles delegates to UNWTO General Assembly meet island's Tourism Ambassador in Kenya transit stop

 

 

Aug 24, 2013

The Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Minister Alain St.Ange, accompanied by Anne Lafortune, the PS for Tourism, and Elsia Grandcourt, the outgoing CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, used their transit stop in Nairobi Kenya for a working evening meeting with Popsy Getonge and her husband Alfred to discuss tourism opportunities with Kenya.

Popsy Getonge is herself a successful and highly-respected tour operator based in Nairobi and has always been proactive in her approaches to develop twin-center holidays with her native Seychelles and also to promote the islands and the must-visit holiday destination for Kenya and the East African Communities.

The working dinner was the opportunity for Minister St.Ange to thank Popsy Getonge for all her support and dedication for tourism in Seychelles and to introduce the Nairobi-based Tourism Ambassador to the island's new PS for Tourism, Anne Lafortune.

The evening, which was hosted by Popsy and Alfred Getonge, brought many new areas of cooperation between Seychelles and Kenya which will be followed up through a visit in the near future by a delegation from Kenya itself.

The Seychelles delegation is now in Zambia for the UNWTO General Assembly meeting.

 

TOURISTS AND LOCALS RIDE IN COMFORT

Luxury ferry service comes to Seychelles waters

 

 

Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe fast ferry is inaugurated

 

Aug 22, 2013

Inter Island Boat Company of Seychelles has this week launched its new high-speed ferry on the route from Mahe to Praslin island. The company has now ensured that Seychellois and tourists alike can enjoy the one-hour crossing in total luxury.

The Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe was built in Australia, and it arrived in Seychelles aboard a special cargo ship. For the Inter Island Boat Company, this latest acquisition represents an investment of over one hundred million Seychelles rupees.

The Cat Cocos -Isle of Mahe, the fourth ferry of the Cat Cocos fleet, has been commissioned for the inter-island crossing for over five hundred passengers in Business, Comfort Upper Deck, and in the main cabin. The owners of the company have been quoted as saying that this new ferry is providing a model of international luxury ferry service in the Seychelles waters.

A state-of-the-art, thirty-six meter long vessel, designed with a dynamic fresco depicting the essence of Mahe with the symbolic Clock Tower of Victoria and Trois Freres Mountain, is increasing the comfort of passengers moving between Praslin and Mahe islands. Guillaume Albert of Inter Island Boat Management Company said that it is the company’s belief that the ferry will bring added benefits to the business of inter-island ferry service in Seychelles.

“This new boat is also equipped with a state-of-the-art right control system which will accentuate considerably. It is our strong belief that this vessel will contribute to increasing tourism flux between our two islands and ultimately benefit the business of Praslin and La Digue operators,” Guillaume Albert said

Addressing the crowd at the launching ceremony, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, said that the ferry is a big move forward for Praslin and La Digue Islands.

“This is indeed a remarkable success story for the islands. I am sure Seychellois and visitors alike will appreciate that this service on such a big fast boat that is today available in Seychelles. Those of us who know the region well will appreciate that the launching of this modern luxury fast ferry in Seychelles as a success for the region. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and on behalf of the government of Seychelles, we need to thank Mr. Joe Albert and his family, as we need to congratulate you for having brought to Seychelles such a fine product,” Minister Alain St.Ange said.

Minister St.Ange said with the launching of the high-speed ferry service, Seychelles realizes the mechanism to develop and to stimulate the inter-island ferry market.

“It was clear a couple of years ago when Mr. Joe Albert and his partners brought in the small Cat Cocos ferry, everybody was surprised. Could he make money out of it? Could it sustain that run to Praslin? Everybody was proved wrong, because it did not only succeed in proving the need for a fast boat to Praslin, but the owning company made money out of it. That prompted Joe Albert and his family and his Creole Travel Services Company to move forward and bring a bigger Cat Cocos. This big five hundred plus seat Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe ferry shows you that it was needed. Joe Albert stimulated and developed that business. I salute you Joe and your company for having the foresight, and for having the bravery that is needed for you to really put your money where your mouth is,” said Minister St.Ange. The Minister went on to say that with the arrival of the new big boat in the inter-island fleet, this will also bring more competition.

“As we are launching this new boat, I take the opportunity to salute the ferry operator, William Rose, and his daughter Cindy, for having provided for many years a ferry service of quality between the islands of Praslin and La Digue. Today as we launch another new ferry in the Inter Island Boat Group, we must anticipate that this brings with it new competition for the inter-island ferry businesses. Because of our size, competition should also bring the need for us to relook at how we operate. On behalf of the government, I appeal to you all to work in partnership in this ferry business to ensure that as you move forward, everyone in the industry moves with you for a more joyous Seychelles, and for a better environment in our tourism industry,” Minister Alain St.Ange said.

The French Ambassador to Seychelles, Mrs. Genevieve Iancu, had the honor of smashing the traditional bottle of champagne on the new boat as the “godmother” of the new Cat Cocos - Isle of Mahe, and Minister Alain St.Ange and Mr. Joe Albert jointly cut the ribbon to declare open the gangway to the vessel. Bishop Denis Wiehe of the Roman Catholic Church and Fr. Danny Elizabeth of the Anglican Church blessed the vessel and crew.

 

Seychelles Sir James Mancham set to engage on important international engagements

 

 

Aug 22, 2013

Following his return to Seychelles yesterday (Monday, August 19) from a cataract operation in Geneva, Switzerland, and a short family-holiday in Majorca, Spain, Seychelles founding President James R. Mancham announced this morning (Tuesday, August 20) from his Glacis-sur-Mer Office, that he will be leaving Seychelles again before the end of the month at the beginning of what he described as "a series of important international engagements."

The former President will first participate as a selected panelist in the Earth Dialogue Session on "Building a Peaceful and Sustainable World" at the invitation of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at Le Palais des Nations in Geneva on the 3rd of September - where the renowned Russian leader is hosting the 20th anniversary of the Green Cross International (GCI) which he founded in 1993 after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The GCI is an independent non-profit organization working to address the inter-connected challenges of security, poverty and environmental degradation through a combination of advocacies and on-the-ground projects. The GCI is headquartered in Geneva and present in over 30 countries.

Following the GCI conference in Geneva, founding President Mancham will be among several distinguished guests attending the 17th Annual Forum 2000 Conference in Prague which was the birth-child of the late Czech leader Vaclav Havel of the Velvet Revolution fame who devoted his life to fighting for freedom and human dignity. The theme of this year's conference is "Societies in Transition" and the dignitaries expected to attend include His Holiness Dalai Lama, the American singer and activist Joan Baes, the former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Frederik Willem de Klerk, the Burmese dissident and today's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the Australian diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Gareth Evans.

Whilst in the Czech Republic, Sir James will attend as a special guest this year's edition of "Water, Sea, Oceans Festival" devoted to films on all forms of life and the conservation of rivers, lakes, seas and oceans which was founded more than 10 years ago by Steve Lichtag - the Director of the 3D Film on Aldabra. This festival provides the only platform for "Aquatic Films" in the Czech Republic and will take place in the historical town of Hluboka. Sir James will have further discussions about the "Bring Aldabra to Mahe" project which he is jointly spearheading with Ambassador Maurice Lousteau-Lalanne of the Seychelles Islands Foundation.

From Prague, Sir James will fly to the USA to participate in the Ocean Exchange 2013 Conference which is to take place in Savannah, Georgia, based on the notion that the ocean connects all countries, drives all eco-systems and is the world's biggest economic force. The objective of Ocean Exchange is to find solutions to problems facing the oceans and coastal regions. Sir James is a member of the Board of Governors of the Ocean Exchange.

Whilst in the USA, Sir James has been invited by the Washington D.C.-based Foundation for Democracy in Africa to attend the 15th Annual AfriCando Trade and Investment Symposium, which the Foundation is hosting in Miami, USA from the 2nd to the 4th of October. It is to be recalled that Sir James won the Foundation Millennium Meritorious Award in May 2000 for "his promotion of peace, reconciliation and prosperity in Africa."

From Miami, USA, founding President Mancham is expected to fly to Washington D.C. to have discussions with the Chairperson of the Global Peace Foundation about the Global Peace Leadership Conference which the Foundation is organizing to take place in Abuja, Nigeria this year. Whilst in Washington D.C., Sir James will once again explore the status of the anticipated U.S. diplomatic presence in Port Victoria against a background of his longstanding campaign for the U.S. to have a resident Ambassador in Seychelles as during the time of the Cold War.

From USA, the former President will fly to Belgrade, Serbia to attend the 9th International Conference on Peace Reconciliation and Human Tolerance in the Balkans before returning to Seychelles. Sir James has been an active member of the Academic Council of the European Center for Peace and Development in the Balkans for over 10 years - always determined to dry up the "water of hate" swimming between Serbia and Kosovo.

In a statement issued this morning, Sir James said that he attaches great importance to his participation in these international conferences not only at a personal level but more as a Seychellois.

"As our maritime nation recognizes the need of promoting its blue economy and the Government's declaration of its desire to seek for Seychelles a seat within the Security Council of the United Nations, it is important for us to demonstrate that our racially integrated society has a lot to teach the rest of the world at this time of globalization. We must, above all, demonstrate that whilst we come from a physically small nation we are indeed not small-minded people," Mr. Mancham stated.

Finally, Mr. Mancham said that he hopes to have discussions with President Michel, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam and other relevant Ministers and officials before he leaves Mahe at the start of his challenging agenda. Last but not least, he said he was highly grateful to Mrs. Irene Reynolds-Schier of the Sapelo Foundation for agreeing to sponsor the cost of his travels to the USA.

 

Seychelles Tourism Minister to address Roundtable at UNWTO General Assembly

 

 

Photos from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Aug 22, 2013

The 20th UNWTO General Assembly meeting taking place at the falls of Zambia and Zimbabwe on August 24-29, will see the elections for the new Executive Council of the UNWTO. Seychelles, represented by Alain St.Ange, the island's Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, has been nominated as a candidate for a seat on the 2013 Executive Council. Minister St.Ange said as he left Seychelles that he was intending to address the Tourism Ministerial Roundtable meeting and the General Assembly meeting itself.

Minister St.Ange and his delegation left Seychelles on Thursday, August 22 en route to the UNWTO General Assembly meeting. The Seychelles Minister is being accompanied by Ms. Sherin Naiken, the CEO of the island's Tourism Board; Mrs. Anne Lafortune, the P.S. for Tourism; Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, the former CEO of the Tourism Board; Mr. David Germain, the Seychelles Tourism Board's Director for Africa and the Americas; and Ms. Jenifer Sinon, the Seychelles Tourism Board's Director of Administration and HR.

 

Vanilla Air not in the Vanilla Islands, but Japan

 

 

Aug 21, 2013

The Vanilla Islands in the Indian Oceans comprising among others of the Seychelles, Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius may be surprised to learn, that the budget arm of All Nippon Airways (ANA) is being rebranded as Vanilla Air, with its president saying that vanilla is "loved by everyone in the world". The Vanilla Island Organization may well be looking at a local airline to help bringing their islands together, but Vanilla Air has no plans to do this.

Executives chose the name from more than 200 other options, taking a month and a half to come to a decision.

"We chose vanilla as our brand name because it is popular and loved by everyone in the world," the airline's president Tomonori Ishii told reporters in Tokyo. "I think it is a very cute name."

Mr. Ishii was apparently unaware of the bland and plain associations with the word "vanilla" in the West.

The airline, initially a joint venture between ANA and the Malaysia-based AirAsia, was previously called AirAsia Japan. A name change was needed as ANA now wholly owns the carrier.

AirAsia is run by Tony Fernandes, who also owns Tune Hotels, and a majority stake in Queens Park Rangers football club.

Vanilla Air will begin flights in late December with a fleet of two aircraft, to be leased from ANA, and will target travelers heading for holiday resort destinations in Asia.

The carrier will be based at Tokyo's Narita Airport, like its predecessor.

"We will begin with short-distance services but want to expand the range to mid- and long-distances in line with ANA's branding strategy," said Mr. Ishii, adding that it would also increase the number of airplanes to 10 in 2015.

He said further details about the new operation, including destinations and ticket fees, would be announced in late September.

 

Seychelles new “Sesel Sa!” tourism magazine set to hit the stands in September 2013

 

 

Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Aug 20, 2013

A new tourism magazine, “Sesel Sa!,” the Voice of Seychelles Tourism, is soon to appear on the stands. Produced by the Paradise Promotions team behind the popular lifestyle magazine, “Potpourri,” in collaboration with the Seychelles Tourism Board, the Sesel Sa! magazine will appear quarterly with a 10,000 print-run.
Sesel Sa! will be a magazine for the Seychelles tourism industry that will provide an informative and diverse insight into the latest news and events. Carefully and creatively-selected articles, editorials, and features will cover a broad spectrum of Seychelles tourism-related topics to be published under one banner and communicated to the world.

“Tourism is about filling the knowledge gap,” commented the new CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Sherin Naiken, “which is an important component of the visibility we are seeking as a destination, and Sesel Sa! will be an invaluable tool to help us achieve that.”

Predominantly aimed at overseas tourism partners as a tool to enable them to sell the islands more effectively, Sesel Sa! will be widely distributed at trade fairs, workshops, and road shows and also via all the Seychelles Tourism Offices in the four corners of the world.

The online version of the magazine will provide a quick source of reference for tourism agents around the world to have the most up-to-date information at hand to assist them with booking clients with ease. The PDF document will be in simple format for easy download and email and no bigger than 3MB.

Produced in an attractive A5 format, Sesel Sa! will contain informative editorials on the destination as well as articles covering its niche markets such as diving, sailing, fishing, etc. and interviews with key tourism stakeholders on a rotational basis. It will be the ideal medium for disseminating up-to-date industry and aviation news and key messages from the Seychelles Tourism Board and the local trade. The high-print-quality magazine will also provide valuable statistics and facts to help differentiate Seychelles from the competition.

“This a ground-breaking promotional tool,” said Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism & Culture, Alain St.Ange, “and its versatility will be sure to make a huge difference in raising the profile of Seychelles in the highly-competitive, global tourism arena.”

 

 

Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism Association generating partnerships with Korean market

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture