Airtel becomes 'Seychelles Music Awards' key partner

 

 

Feb 12, 2014

The Telecommunication Company, Airtel, has become the main sponsor of Seychelles Music Awards after pledging a five year sponsorship of the event.

An agreement to formalise the long term sponsorship was signed at the National Cultural Centre in Victoria in the presence of Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture by Mr Vikram Sinha, the Country Manager for the Seychelles Bharti Airtel and Mr Terry Carolla, the Producer of the Seychelles Music Awards.

At the Signing Ceremony Minister Alain St.Ange thanked Airtel for becoming a genuine partner of Seychelles Music Awards.

“You’ve come on board as a genuine partner for culture. This drive you’ve undertaken is putting culture in the forefront. A music award will only help our young and older artists to be recognised” Minister St.Ange said.

The Minister said Airtel’s support for this award demonstrates the company’s seriousness for what is today called social responsibility to the community.

“Social responsibility is now the norm where people that makes money out of society, must also see ways that they can give back to society. You’ve chosen the cultural approach which pleases the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It is so important for the country to see a way forward for its performing artists, and this is what you are doing” the Minister said.

Minister Alain St.Ange also took the opportunity to salute Mr Terry Carolla, the Producer of Music Awards Seychelles for his determination to make the music award the project expected of it by the country.

“I think it is important for me to congratulate Mr Carolla for not only having an idea, but seeing his idea through. When he coined the idea of Seychelles Music Awards everybody probably said, can we really achieve this” Minister St.Ange said.

For the past two years, Airtel Seychelles has been working closely with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and have been active sponsor of culture and tourism events.

“I strongly believe that working with culture and tourism is the way forward in Seychelles, because I believe that these two sectors are pivotal for the country's economy. It is our continued desire to commit to the youth of Seychelles, either through music or sports. We want to commit on a long term basis” Mr Vikram of Airtel Seychelles said.

Mr Vikram went on to state that Airtel is committed to now bring Seychelles artists on to the African music chart.

“We have a music award in Africa. We want to see that our artists from Seychelles reach the African chart. That is the commitment between Mr Carolla and I with the support of the Culture Department. I am personally confident that we will be able to do what’s right for the country” Mr Vikram said.

Terry Carolla, Producer Seychelles Music Award thanked Airtel for being a faithful partner of the event, promising that the sponsorship will be put to great use in developing the music industry in Seychelles.

The Seychelles Trading Companie ( STC), Seychelles Breweries and Yamaha were some of the other sponsors who also came forward to present their support during the signing of partnership agreement between Airtel and Seychelles Music Awards.

Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture who was accompanied at this signing ceremony by Anne Lafortune, the PS for Tourism, Benjamine Rose, the PS for Culture and Sherin Naiken, the CEO of the Tourism Board said to the press that he appreciated the ongoing support by Airtel Seychelles for tourism and cultural events and that the country as a whole needed today to appreciate the partners who are standing with the Ministry.

 

Tourism industry sees visitor length of stays in Seychelles reach new record

 

Feb 12, 2014

The average length of stay of tourists in Seychelles rose over last year's numbers.

Length of stay jumped up to 10.9 days in January 2014. According to the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics, visitors coming to Seychelles during the month of January 2014 increased to 5% compared to January 2013. Seychelles recorded the highest level in length of stay of 11.8 days in August 2010.

The Seychelles National Statistics Bureau figures also show that out of 16,521 visitors who arrived in Seychelles during the month of January 2014, 2,317 were from Russia. The figures represent an increase of 32% on the Russian market compared to the same period in 2013. France, the Seychelles leading market, has been pushed to second position with an average of 2,216 visitors for the month of January 2014. It is to be noted that visitors coming from Russia traditionally land in Seychelles during their annual winter months.

Seychelles also witnessed in January 2014 a boom in the number of visitors coming from China. China not solely showed positive growth but took the third position in January 2014 as one of the Seychelles leading source markets. With the opening up of Chinese routes and aggressive market packages from Destination Management Companies to grasp a fair share of the market, the number of visitors from China increased to 2086 in January 2014, representing an increase of 65% compared to January 2013.

Seychelles Tourism Board’s China Manager described this growth as encouraging. Germany, Italy, and South Africa also listed among Seychelles’ six leading markets in January 2014 are also showing positive growth. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, congratulated the Tourism Board for the remarkable growth of the island’s six leading source markets. "It is clear that decisions you continue to take when you meet for your end-of-year Marketing Meeting with the private sector trade is bringing good returns. Your work is often not seen except when visitor arrival numbers increase and when more pages in tour operators’ programs are featuring Seychelles products. You have to continue to keep Seychelles visible in the four corners of the world, and you have to continue to ensure that Seychelles remains a relevant tourism destination. Together we have been doing this well so far, but we need to continue along on our set course as per discussions between ourselves and our private sector partners," Minister St.Ange said.

With this positive growth in visitor arrivals for January 2014 coupled with an increase in visitor length of stays, the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture says that the tourism of Seychelles remains on a firm footing.

It is interesting to highlight that Seychelles as a destination has aroused a lot of interest in recent years. This interest is translating to bookings - for example, during the month of January 16,521tourists landed in Seychelles, compared to 12,799 in the same month in 2008. This trend is seen by the islands as very encouraging especially when many other destinations are not enjoying such a performance. For the Seychelles, visitor arrival numbers must be looked at with the island's population. The Seychelles is today receiving more than three times more visitors per year than its total population and close to five times its total local workforce. "This is an achievement for any country, but over and above these comparative figures, tourism remains the pillar of the Seychelles economy," Minister Alain St.Ange said.

In January 2008, the average length of stay in Seychelles was 9.5 days for the month of January. By 2010, this had increased to 11.4 days only to drop to 10 days by 2013. For January of 2014, it was back up to 10.9 days. The short holiday breaks with the number of flights landing in Seychelles daily works against long average length of stay. The increase of Chinese holiday makers with three to five day stops in Seychelles will also impact on this figure, but the Tourism Board believes that it remains to have the rooms sold at a good rate than is their preoccupation over just length of stay. The emergence of new attractive packages offered by Destination Management Companies is considered as an important part in changing the pattern and increasing visitor length of stays for this January 2014.

The Tourism Board is now working to see how to have more dedicated airline seats for Seychelles out of the islands main source markets in a bid to better assist tour operator partners sell Seychelles.

 

Sweden and Seychelles officials discuss participation of Sami people at carnival

 

Feb 11, 2014

Mrs. Kerstin Brunnberg, the Chairman of the Swedish Arts Council, has met with Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, to discuss a possible delegation of the Sami people traveling to the Seychelles for the 2014 edition of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Carnival. The meeting that took place at the Official Closing Dinner for the celebrations of Umea of Sweden becoming the Cultural Capital of Europe was the opportunity for Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles to make the case for Sweden to showcase the Sami people. This meeting took place in the presence of Mr. Lennart Swenson, the Honorary Consul of the Seychelles in Sweden.

"What a better year for Sweden to play this cultural card than 2014 when their city of Umea has been crowned the Cultural Capital of Europe," Minister St.Ange of Seychelles said to the gathered press in Umea.

The annual Carnaval International de Victoria that is today known throughout the world as the unique “carnival of carnivals,” remains the only event that brings together all the best and most known carnivals to parade together followed by cultural troupes from the Community of Nations. This carnival is also the event where indigenous people of any country or region can be showcased to show the multi-ethnicity of different countries.

The invitation by Minister St.Ange to Mrs. Brunnberg to bring a delegation of the Sami people to the 2014 edition of the annual Carnaval International de Victoria that is staged in Seychelles from March 25-27 is now being considered by Sweden.

 

New level of dialogue on what we call cultural tourism

 

                Feb 10, 2014

Seychelles seems to have coined something interesting and innovative. “We have now reached a new level of dialogue on what we call cultural tourism,” said Seychelles Minister Alain St.Ange, as he commented on a recent conversation between his country and Sweden.

Mrs. Dace Melbarde, the Culture Minister of Latvia, and Mr. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture, made time to meet and open a new level of dialogue between themselves when they were both in UMEA in Sweden for the ceremony marking that city’s new title as the Cultural Capital of Europe.

Ministers Dace Melbarde and Alain St.Ange discussed cooperation in the field of culture and also Latvia’s participating in the coming Indian Ocean Vanilla Island’s Carnival that is set to be held from April 25-27.

"The ball is in our court. We have to follow-up with an official letter of invitation. But a first step has been made," Seychelles Minister St.Ange said.

The carnival that is staged in Seychelles is very much like a tourism trade fair but with culture and the people of respective countries put forward. Countries spend a fortune to be seen at the traditional tourism trade fairs, but apart from dishing out promotional brochures, their access to more visibility through media is limited. It has been seen ruing the past years that participating countries at the carnival in Seychelles get access to more media than ever possible at any tourism trade fair. Culture is also a novel idea with which to promote the tourism industry of countries.

The Seychelles 2014 edition of the carnival is being co-hosted by the Vanilla Islands of La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte, and South Africa KwaZulu Natal tourism bodies.

 

PRIVATE SECTOR RALLYING TO BE PRESENT TO PROMOTE TOURISM THROUGH CULTURE

Mauritius government says no to presence at Indian Ocean carnival in Seychelles

 

                Feb 09, 2014

The Ministry of Culture of Mauritius is saying that it will not be participating at the 2014 edition of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Carnival that takes place in the Seychelles at the end of April. Minister M. Choonee, it is believed, will be writing to his Seychellois counterpart to say that Mauritius will not be present. This breaking news was published in the L'Express Newspaper of Mauritius during the weekend.

This news has again prompted the island's tourism private sector to open fresh dialogue on them being present to promote tourism through culture and in so doing putting Mauritian artists in the forefront. "This approach by the private sector will be a slap in the face of true MTPA of Mauritius," said a hotel personality of the island.

"The whole world is using this carnival to fly their flag and increase the visibility of their destination in front of the large number of international media," said another hotel GM.

The big debate in Mauritius is now for the island's private sector trade to bypass their MTPA and move by themselves. Many believe that if they can pull this off, the MTPA will be sidelined for good as they take more marketing initiative by themselves.

A Mauritius artist said on his part that they are waiting for this initiative to be taken. "We often feel that our island is ashamed to be associated with local artists. We see Miss England being pushed but not Miss Mauritius. We believe that no country has the right to be ashamed of their people, and this is why we salute the private sector of Mauritius to try to bring us to the carnival in Seychelles," the artist who is believed to be working on a carnival song said.

 

Interfaith Council of Seychelles holds meeting with Tourism Minister

 

                Feb 07, 2014

The Seychelles Interfaith Council (SIFCO) held a meeting with Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture. The meeting which was held at the National Cultural Centre and was attended on the SIFCO side by Bishop Denis Wiehe, Bishop French Chang-Him, Mr. Robert Moumou, Mr. Pravin Darad, Mrs. Homa Muengapen, Iman Heneka, and Mr. Port-Louis. The Minister on his side was accompanied by Benjamine Rose, the PS for Culture and Anne Lafortune, the PS for Tourism.

The meeting followed the meeting between the SIFCO Managing Committee with Minister Vincent Meriton where discussion among other issues touched on the coming Carnaval International de Victoria.

Minister St.Ange welcomed the SIFCO members and said that he appreciated the time taken by SIFCO members to meet to discuss areas of concern for the religious body. "We manage the ministry with an open door policy and welcome such meeting as and when it is required. We also salute the work of SIFCO, you are displaying for the world at large to see that Religious Harmony is real in Seychelles. In this troubled world, this show of unity is great," Minister St.Ange said.

The Minister and his delegation listened to the points raised by members of SIFCO and said that he appreciated the discussions. He said that for this coming carnival the Family Fun Day of the Sunday will see this year the introduction of a Children's Carnival. "We are aware that we need to develop our carnival culture to reflect our Seychellois Creole way of Life. This children's carnival will help our younger generation embrace the event through showcasing all what is dear for us as a people," the Minister said.

The annual Carnaval International de Victoria will this year be staged from April 25-27, and Minister St.Ange said that all indications is that it will be even bigger and better that the 2013 edition. "This carnival of ours is the single biggest event our country stages. It is the only event that brings well one half of our population to Victoria. It is important that we all work together to make it the success our Seychelles expects it to be," Minister Alain St.Ange said.

 

Seychelles determined to grow Irish travel market

 

                Feb 05, 2014

Seychelles is all out this year to turn Ireland into a more profitable market and increase visitor figures from there by 40% by the end of 2014.

The Seychelles Tourist Office for UK and Ireland this year started its promotion on this market on a strong note, attending two fairs in one weekend – Holiday World Show and Bride of the Year Show – in addition to a series of sales calls.

2014 is set to be a great year for Irish travelers with more than 30 new routes available by air, increasing Ireland’s overall air capacity by 5-10%. Etihad and Emirates have also confirmed that they will be increasing flights – double daily out of Dublin – providing more capacity and choice to the traveler wishing to head to the Seychelles.

The Seychelles Tourist Office’s Regional Manager for UK and Ireland, Tinaz Wadia, led the Seychelles’ delegation at the Holiday World Show and said there was notable interest for more affordable holidays as more Irish are keen to travel abroad.

“The show was a big success for Seychelles, considering that it was our second participation there, and Seychelles always comes across as one of the most exciting destinations on the market,” she said, adding that albeit small, this promising market has already shown its potential with a 33% increase from 2012 to 2013.

“We hope with major efforts being put into the market, the increase will reflect an even bigger number in 2014. I’m pleased to say that our annual road-show in UK will this year make a stop-over in Dublin,” she stated.

Ms. Wadia was accompanied at the Holiday World Show by Marketing Executive Maria Morel. Also in attendance was Ash Behari from the Coco de Mer Hotel on Praslin.

Major tour operators such as Trailfinders, Travel Mood, Sunway, and Cassidy Travel were present at the fair and also promoting the Seychelles through various offers and packages with their respective booking stations, for immediate booking processes and pricing.

Pat Dawson, Chief Executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association, has described the Holiday Show as a fantastic event for travel agents and consumers alike.

“The economic downturn has made it difficult for many to afford holidays the last couple of years, but our members have showcased unbeatable holiday offers at the Holiday World Show. Irish travel agents at the show are focusing on quality and affordability as well as dispensing invaluable destination advice. Recent market research has indicated that one in two Irish adults will take a foreign holiday in 2014,” he said.

Celebrating its 25th year of making holidaymakers’ dreams come true, the show is considered a one-stop shop of inspiration, advice, and spectacular offers to broaden the horizons of those seeking their ideal break in 2014.

 

Seychelles presence as tourism partner country with Hamburg Travel Fair receives much publicity

 

                Feb 05, 2014

The sought-after tourism destination of the Seychelles is this year the Official Partner of the Hamburg Travel Fair of Germany. This opportunity has been grabbed by Alain St.Ange, the island's Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, who traveled to Hamburg accompanied by Sherin Naiken, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, and Bernadette Willemin, their Board's Paris Based Director for Europe. The Seychelles delegation was also joined by Edith Hunzinger, the Manager of the Seychelles Frankfurt Office, and Christine Vel, the Senior Marketing Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, who is also based in Paris.

Max Hunzinger, the Seychelles Honorary Consul in Frankfurt, was also present in Hamburg to assist with protocol matters and to facilitate as much as possible the official appointments for the Seychelles delegation.

Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles was greeted by Bernd Aufderheide, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hamburg Messe und Congress, and addressed with him the Hamburg Tourism Fair pre-opening press conference. “This is a great opportunity for Seychelles. It will go a long way to help keep our beautiful islands visible and relevant as the favorite holiday destination for Germans," Minister St.Ange said. “Die Welt” is one of the print media present at this press conference which was followed by a photo opportunity at the Seychelles stand at the fairgrounds where a cultural troupe from the islands was performing as two visual artists showed off their works of art depicting Seychelles culture.

“Die Welt” remains one of the very influential German newspapers that is read nationally and internationally. In their article that followed the Hamburg Tourism Fair press conference, “Die Welt” emphasizes the points made by the Seychelles Minister on the question of affordability of the Seychelles and on the efforts being made by the government of the islands to promote the home grown smaller tourism accommodation establishments. “Die Welt” also reported on the environment policy of the Seychelles which is aimed at preservation at all costs, and where over 50% of the island's total land area has today been declared nature parks.

Northern Germany’s number 1 tourism show takes place on the fairgrounds of Germany’s second-largest city from February 5-9, 2014.

The Seychelles Minister, who gave several television and written press interviews after the press conference, highlighted that Germany was a key tourism market for the tropical islands of the Seychelles. "Germany is today our second most important tourism market and it is growing by the day,” he said.

 

SEYCHELLES-CHINA DAY CELEBRATIONS TOURISM EVENT

Foundation stone laid for new Chinese pagoda in Seychelles

Feb 04, 2014

The foundation stone for a new Chinese pagoda was laid on Saturday, February 1, to mark the first edition of the Seychelles-China Day Celebrations.

The original Chinese pagoda which was built early in 1900 contributed much to preserve and to maintain Chinese tradition in Seychelles.

Originally built as a place of worship, the Chinese pagoda on Benezet Street of Victoria represents the Chinese influence in the development of the Seychelles authentic and diverse culture.

In six months’ time, a new Chinese Pagoda will be built at the exact birthplace of the original pagoda.

The new Pagoda will house a restaurant, cultural center, worship hall, and other recreational facilities.

Charlie Ng Ping Cheun, the Chairman of Seychelles Chinese Association, said that the association has more than half of the funds to build the new pagoda. He appealed to the Chinese community to rally behind this project.

“With the laying of the foundation stone, we hope that we will be celebrating our next New Year here,” the Association's Chairman said.

It was Shi Zhongjun, Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles, and Charlie Ng Ping Cheun, Chairman of Seychelles Chinese Association, who laid the foundation stone for the new pagoda.

The ceremony was witnessed by Vincent Meriton, the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports.

Minister Meriton congratulated the Chinese Embassy and the Seychelles Chinese Association for laying the foundation stone for the new pagoda.

“As we lay the foundation stone for a new Chinese pagoda, we honor and recognize the part played by our Chinese ancestors in this modern and vibrant Seychelles, from the food we enjoy so much, to the goods that were brought to our shores by the Chinese merchants and traders, to the introduction of the credit system “karnen” as we call it in Creole, to a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and also to the inculcation of being strongly disciplined at work. Today, we have much to be proud of in the inheritance from our Chinese descendants.”

Ambassador Shi outlined that the “laying of the foundation stone shows the great enthusiasm that Seychellois of Chinese descent have for their origin and routes.”

 

INDIAN OCEAN VANILLA ISLANDS TOURISM WITHOUT MAURITIUS?

Mauritius tourism industry under scrutiny from all corners

 

                Feb 04, 2014

One of the most read newspapers in Mauritius started the week with a article on tourism entitled "Tourism: Mauritius is overtaken by the region".

Editor Karen Walter of the newspaper presented the state of affairs of the Mauritian Tourism Industry. This article comes as the Ministry of Tourism is getting ready to seek the Government's approval to move the island out of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands. Will that also mean that the Indian Ocean Commission (COI) and the Indian Ocean Rim )(IOR) will be asked to move their Headquarters out of Mauritius a Hotel General Manager asked.

"We have lost it completely. We built an airport to become the hub of the Indian Ocean, then we do not want to work with the Indian Ocean" another small Mauritian Hotel Owner said. Both the COI and IOR are regional organisations where the island's Anil Gayan, their Minister for Foreign Affairs speaks with a loud voice. Another Tourism Industry professional of Mauritius asked what Regional Cooperation can Mauritius speak about when Mootoosamy of the MTPA is pushing for isolation.

The L'Express Newspaper stated that now the Russian Media are set for the first time to cover the Carnival International de Victoria that will be taking place in Seychelles this coming April. This, as Mauritius still cannot decide if it is to be present at this regional event with all the other islands of the region or not. But is was Mauritius that was in the leadership under a former Minister of Tourism to form the Vanilla Islands to reposition the Indian Ocean as a tourism destination. L'Express Newspaper of Mauritius says that this was the aim of the Vanilla Islands and today Countries such as Madagascar, South Africa and Sri Lanka amongst others are looking at benefiting form the spirit of togetherness of the region, Mauritius is playing the lone ranger all alone, and their participation at the Carnaval International de Victoria in the Seychelles this year still remains undecided.

La Reunion, Mayotte, Madagascar…are all Vanilla Island members wanting to join with the Seychelles and South Africa to organise the next Carnaval International de Victoria that is set for the month of April. Even Sri Lanka is showing interest to be associated with this new drive in the Indian Ocean. This is what Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture says.

But an unanswered question remains, Mauritius that has been noticeably absent from past events of the Vanilla Islands, will they yet again be marked as absent at this coming event in Seychelles?

L'Express Newspaper of Mauritius says that it is exactly this absence by Mauritius at events aimed at consolidation regional tourism that is so much regretted by Alain St.Ange, who is also the President of the Vanilla Islands. Karen Walter of the L'Express Newspaper confirms that she interviewed Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles by telephone last Wednesday where he said that the Vanilla Islands Organisztion aims to reposition the Indian Ocean Region as a key tourism destination.

The Seychelles Minister also said that this cannot be achieved without unity and that Mauritius needed to be more involved in regional events. "If we are not working together as a united group our region will not be what it could succeed to be and it is our people from our respective islands who suffer as a result. Mauritius tourism must decide what it wants for itself and for the people of Mauritius" the Minister is quotes as having said.

Nando Bodha, the former Minister responsible for Tourism of Mauritius agrees with the Seychelles Minister. Former Minister Bodha was one of those who launched the Vanilla Islands concept in 2010. "Mauritius is missing out on a rare opportunity" former Minister Bodha of Mauritius said. It is reported in the L'Express Newspaper that former Minister Bodha of Mauritius went on to say that Mauritius as a country had lost "the leadership and the motivation it used to enjoy to make the Indian Ocean the centre for tourism".

Karl Braunecker, the Managing Director of Connections, a Destination Management Company of Mauritius takes, according to L'Express Newspaper a different twist to the Mauritius regional saga. Even-though he says that he remains convinced that Mauritius must be present at the carnival in Seychelles as this would bring benefits for Mauritius. Mr Braunecker said that it was not a world event that will make the major difference in the island's records "I am supporting a Vanilla Islands Carnival on a regional basis that is held each year in a different islands" he said.

'Mauritius is well positioned to become the aviation hub of the region. But we need to double our efforts in the promotion of twin destinations (Africa-Mauritius) on the Asia and Australia markets' Mr Braunecker said. This approach is supported by Alain St.Ange "Twin centre destinations remains a formula that works and attracts the Japanese, Chinese and South Americans. But for now the Seychelles strategy is to work to remain visible. This is the reason why the Seychellois hoteliers recorded a Bumper Year in 2013 with 230272 arrivals and USD 343,3 millions. An increase of 11% over 2012" Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister said.

Karen Walter of the l'Express Newspaper said that they had tried in vain to get a reaction from Minister Michael Sik Yuen, the Minister of Tourism of Mauritius.

 

Swedish - Seychelles cooperation can only get better as a group of 80 confirm a trip to Seychelles in April

 

                Feb 04, 2014

Minister Stefan Attefall, Sweden's Minister for Public Administration and Housing & Minister of Health and Social Affairs met with Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture in UMEA in Sweden during a working visit by the Minister from the Seychelles.

Discussions that took place in the presence of Lennart Swenson, the Seychelles Honorary Consul in Sweden, centred on different topics and all related to continued cooperation. A planned visit in April by a group of 80 Members of the Swedish Business Community with their families was announced during one of the final meeting. The Seychelles Honorary Consul will be personally leading this delegation to Seychelles.

Minister St.Ange invited Minister Stefan Attefall of Sweden to personally visit the mid-ocean tropical islands of the Seychelles as snow was falling in the City of UMEA and as the landscape of the City that is now the Cultural Capital of Europe was covered with a thick white carpet of snow.

"We also have a white carpet in Seychelles, but ours is the white sandy beaches that is continuously lapped by warm turquoise blue seas" the Seychelles Minister said as he promised 'unrivalled swimming' to his Swedish Colleague.

 

TRAVEL FOODIES REJOICE

Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove in Seychelles to host inaugural Chaine de Rotisseurs dinner

 

 

                Feb 04, 2014

Good culinary news reached overnight from Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, confirming the arrival of the global Chaine de Rotisseurs on the archipelago.

It is understood that the Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove in Bel Ombre was selected to host the very first dinner the group’s local members will be able to celebrate on the evening of February 21, promising a night of delicious food and exquisite wines as is customary on such occasions, when the host venue’s chefs will be pulling out all stops to create a perfect menu.

This latest development is significant for the Seychelles as it opens additional avenues of cooperation with other countries where the Chaine de Rotisseurs have been established, from bilateral chef guest appearances to regional competitions for young chefs from which in particular the Seychelles can benefit to advance skills and creativity among their upcoming local chefs. Local chapters of the Chaine de Rotisseurs exist for instance in Kenya and Tanzania, the Seychelles’ nearest mainland neighbors, where the news will no doubt meet with great interest.

Bon Appetite will no doubt be in order on the 21st when the culinary who’s who and the Seychelles tourism gurus will assemble in Bel Ombre at the Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove.

Source: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome, eTN Africa Correspondent

 

Seychelles is Official Partner of the Hamburg Travel Fair

 

Feb 03, 2014

The Seychelles kicked off a spectacular week-long appearance as the Official Partner Country of the popular Reisen Hamburg Travel Fair in Germany today with a press conference, that was addressed by Mr. Alain St.Ange, the island’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, along with the CEO of the Tourism Board, Mrs. Sherin Naiken, and top representatives of the Seychelles Tourism Board in Europe and Germany, Ms. Bernadette Willemin and Ms. Edith Hunzinger.

Northern Germany’s number 1 tourism show takes place on the fairgrounds of Germany’s second-largest city from February 5-9, 2014.

The press conference, which started at 11 o’clock local time on the fairgrounds, was attended by nearly 40 key representatives from German print and broadcast media, ARD, RTL SAT 1, who listened attentively to the words of the Seychelles Minister and his delegation. In his address, Minister St.Ange thanked the local travel industry, media, and consumers for their support in turning 2013 into yet another record year for Seychelles from the German-speaking source market. He also talked about the many efforts undertaken by the Seychelles to not only maintain, but to also enhance the destination’s attractiveness for overseas tourist by pursuing a far-sighted policy of sustainable tourism that benefits both visitors and the local population in the short and long term. “This policy seems to be paying off now, and this we know through the encouraging words of appreciation that we continue to receive from our visitors,” Minister St.Ange said.

After the press conference, Mr. St.Ange gave an interview for German television and attended a luncheon hosted by the fair’s management, where he was able to elaborate further on the Seychelles and answer questions arising from his statements made at the press conference.

The “Holiday, Caravaning, Outdoor and Cycling Exhibition” will be open to the general public daily from Wednesday through Sunday between 1000 and 1800 hrs. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). More than 80,000 consumers are expected to visit. This year visitors to the tourism fair will be entertained at the Seychelles stand and on an adjacent stage by dancers and musicians from the Seychelles islands. They will also enjoy playful interaction with two Seychellois popular creative artists, Egbert Marday and Jude Adeline.

The affluent region surrounding Germany’s largest seaport is a key market for the Seychelles. Last year, 33,489 Germans visited the country, which constitutes an increase of another 19 percent over the previous (record) year. Another 14,000 visitors originate from the mostly German-speaking countries of Austria and Switzerland, which are also managed from the Tourism Board’s Frankfurt office.

 

SEYCHELLES MINISTER OF TOURISM IN UMEA

Jan Bjoringe, CEO of the UMEA Cultural Capital of Europe Project showcases the works by the city

 

                Feb 03, 2014

Jan Bjoringe, CEO of the UMEA Cultural Capital of Europe Project showcases the works by the city to Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture

UMEA is now the 2014 Cultural Capital of Europe and their was no better person to showcase the works undertaken by the City for the celebrations by UMEA on receiving this recognition than the hands on CEO for the Cultural Capital project , Mr Jan Bjoringe.

Walking through UMEA and seeing the Ice Sculptures crafted for these celebrations as rain deers were walked through the crowds and Speakers Corner animated by a series of UMEA Citizens wanting the world to know their personal messages before getting to the frozen river where the elaborate official opening ceremony by HRH the Crown Princess of Sweden was to take place.

Jan Bjoringe has followed the project from the the time the bidding was being planned right up to the joyful moment for UMEA with this week's celebrations.

"I was honoured to be present. In Seychelles we have moved to become an events based destination, and this we did to get more interaction between our people and the visitors to our paradise islands. Seeing what has been organised by UMEA was interesting, especially the unique traditions that are being re-enacted for all to see, such as the rain deer bouillon cooked right in the City Square by the SAMI People of Scandinavia and offered for everyone to taste" the Seychelles Minister St.Ange said.

Minister Alain St.Ange also discussed with Mr Jan Bjoringe the possibility of bringing the unique SAMI People to Seychelles in April for the 2014 edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria, the Carnival of Carnivals.

 

Culture Ministers from Sweden and Seychelles meet at Umea

 

Feb 03, 2014

Minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, the Minister responsible for Culture and Sports from Sweden, and Minister Alain St.Ange, the Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture from the Seychelles, used the opportunity of the events marking Umea as the Culture Capital of Europe for them to meet and exchange ideas on the development of culture.

Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles used the opportunity of the meeting to brief the Minister from Sweden on his discussions with regards to having a Sami indigenous group from Sweden fly the Swedish Flag and the Sami flag at the coming April carnival in the Seychelles. He explained that discussions were underway with the Swedish Arts Council to try and make this proposition a reality.

The Seychelles Minister also congratulated his counterpart from Sweden on the spectacular ceremony that marked Umea's position as the cultural capital of Europe for 2014. Minister Alain St.Ange said the he recognized the work and dedication of Jan Bjoringe, the CEO of the Culture Capital Program of Umea to have been able to not only win this title, but for staging such a spectacular event to mark that crowning of Umea.

 

NEWEST TOURISM EVENT IN SEYCHELLES

First Seychelles-China Day Celebrations complete circle of culture

 

                Feb 02, 2014

Berjaya Beau Vallon Resort, referred to as a hot spot for Chinese holiday makers, was transformed on January 31 into a riot of red colors to welcome the first edition of the Seychelles-China Day Celebrations and Chinese New Year.

The official opening of the Seychelles-China Day Celebrations was a night of pulsating rhythms of lion dancers, an artistic show by the Shanghai Jinshan Art group, and a wide array of Chinese food, and was arguably described as a thrilling success.

Officially opening the festival, Pierre Laporte, the Minister responsible for Finance, Trade and Investment, replacing Alain St.Ange, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, who is on an official mission overseas, said that this festival is set to become an annual event in Seychelles.

“We sincerely hope that this festival will grow and become a major annual festive event to showcase all aspects of Chinese culture, which will enable the people of Seychelles – especially those with Chinese ancestry - to learn and appreciate all that China has to offer in the field of cultural exchange programs. This will enable us to finally recognize our Chinese roots and ancestral connections,” Pierre Laporte, the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, said.

Minister Laporte went on to say that the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture has over the past several years, organized festivals that encourage the people of Seychelles to recognize and to re-connect with the country’s ethnic and cultural origins. He said that the Seychelles-China Day Celebrations completed the “firm circle of friends with the five nations who make up Seychelles’ cultural and ethnic origins.”

“This being the semaine de la Francophonie, FetAfrik, Commonwealth Day, Seychelles-India Day Celebrations, and now the Seychelles-China Day Celebrations, which we are launching for the first time today, all of which finally complete the firm circle of friends, with the five nations who make up our cultural and ethnic origins and which culminates in what we are celebrated in our Festival Kreol every October.”

The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Seychelles around 1886, and since then their descendants and other new immigrants are fully integrated.

The Seychelles-China Day Celebrations was conceptualized six months ago by Minister Alain St.Ange and Shi Zhongjun, the Ambassador to People’s Republic of China, to give due recognition to the Chinese community, the last branch of Seychelles origins not yet being celebrated. Benjamine Rose, the Principal Secretary of Culture, in her opening remarks said that the Culture Department now ensures that the full circle of Seychelles origins is recognized.

“The Culture Department ensures that we give due recognition to all our forefathers. We are a multicultural nation, and our descendants came mainly from France, Africa, England, India, and China. These celebrations enable us to celebrate what we are today through our annual October Festival Kreol,” Benjamine Rose, the Principal Secretary for Culture, said.

Ambassador Shi Zhogjun on his part gave his blessing to the Seychelles-China Day Celebrations. The opening night of the Seychelles-China Day Celebrations was also marked by a lottery draw and prize giving of the Seychelles-China Day Celebrations photo competition.

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP)http://www.tourismpartners.org/

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP)http://www.tourismpartners.org/

 

SEYCHELLES CULTURAL MINISTER CONGRATULATES UMEA

Umea, Sweden is the European cultural capital

 

Feb 02, 2014

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture was this weekend welcomed in Umea by a Seychelles National Flag held up in the arrival's hall by Lennart Swenson, the Honorary Consul of the Seychelles in Sweden, accompanied to the airport by Wilnet Joseph, a Seychellois Student who is following her studies in Sweden and Kakan From, the Headmaster of Midgardsskolan Institute of learning who has been receiving students on an exchange programme from these mid-ocean islands for many years.

Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture travelled to UMEA in Sweden to represent the island's President James Michel at the inauguration on Friday, January 31, of Umea of Sweden as the European Capital of Culture in the presence of H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria and H.R.H. Prince Daniel and the County Governor Magdalena Andersson and her husband Goran Karlsson.

On Friday Jan Bjoringe, the CEO of Culture for UMEA formally welcomed the Seychelles Minister in UMEA and thanked him for being in Sweden for this special event. The welcoming words were made in the presence of Lennart Swenson, the Honorary Consul of Seychelles. It is already fifteen years since Seychelles and UMEA launched cultural exchange programmes that sees students fro UMEA travel to these most sought after tourism destination in the Indian Ocean and Seychellois students travel to UMEA in return. The cooperation agreement also covers many other points beneficial to both countries and which has been proudly defended by UMEA, now the European Capital of Culture.

Seychelles, it is said enjoys friendly relations with the Royal family of Sweden and with the Government of the Nordic Country. Sweden, Norway and Finland also remains important tourism markets for the Seychelles and any visibility in these parts of the world will help the island's tourism industry.

Minister Alain St.Ange on Friday night was also guest of the County Governor Magdalena Andersson and her husband, Goran Karlsson, at a dinner at the Governor's residence of Umea in the presence of H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria and H.R.H. Prince Daniel.

Culture has taken a more important role in the marketing of Seychelles and it is not surprising to see the island's Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture present when an important partner, such as UMEA is declared the European Capital of Culture.

 

Constance Ephelia Resort supports Seychelles Heritage Foundation with new brochure about Port Glaud

 

                Feb 01, 2014

The Constance Ephelia Resort on the Seychelles’ main island of Mahe, the island’s largest and without doubt one of the best resorts, has earlier in the week handed over a new brochure covering the various attractions of the Port Glaud area, where the resort is located.

The new pamphlet was presented to the CEO of the Seychelles Heritage Foundation Patrick Nanty by the resort’s general manager Philipp Gitton with the Principal Secretary for Culture Ms. Rose Benjamin and members of the Port Glaud Heritage Trust in attendance at the function.

Targets for distribution of the brochure are schools, households, businesses and of course tourist visitors keen to learn more about this particular area of Mahe, the landscapes, the Port Launay marine national park, the area’s history, its traditions and its culturally important sites.

Constance also operates the Constance Lemuria Resort on the archipelago’s second largest island of Praslin, which features a championship golf course and is among the larger resorts considered the leader of the pack, setting standards and providing guest experiences second to none. For more information about the destination visitwww.seychelles.travel or look in at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seychelles-Heritage-Foundation/2657134202.... Seychelles, truly Another World.

 

The Blue Economy: Key to Africa’s vision for the future

 

                Feb 01, 2014

The African Union has expressed its commitment to embracing and developing the Blue Economy concept as a vital part of Africa's future development to be outlined in the AU's Agenda 2063.

This pledge followed an intervention by Seychelles Vice President Danny Faure at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he called on the continent to use its Agenda 2063 to "break the mold" of African development and recognize the potential of Africa's Blue Economy:

"The Blue Economy, encapsulating all of the potential of our oceanic resources, offers us a platform for Africa's transformation both in terms of Agenda 2063 and in terms of the post 2015 Development Agenda and the sustainable development goals.

"The majority of world trade is by sea. The majority of the world's oil shipments are by sea. There is no food security without a sustainable ocean. The majority of new mineral resources will not be found on land but in the sea. The Blue Economy is Africa's future."

In responding to the Vice President, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, announced that an entire chapter of the Agenda 2063 would be dedicated to the Blue Economy concept.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma, who was represented at the Seychelles Blue Economy Summit in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, added that exploiting and developing the full potential of Africa's oceanic resources, particularly as Africa's oceanic mass is far greater than its land mass, was a vital part of its future.

The Vice President is currently leading the Seychelles delegation to the African Union Summit being held from January 30-31, the theme of which is the Year of Agriculture and Food Security for Africa.

Speaking to the theme of the Summit, the Vice President said he was pleased at its selection, as it is also an issue of great importance to Africa's islands that also supports the need for greater maritime connectivity on the continent:

"Food security is a critical issue for islands as we are simultaneously limited in the amount of food we can produce ourselves due to our small size, while also being isolated from key markets in terms of imports."

The Vice President is also accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam; the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure; the Seychelles Permanent Representative to the African Union and Resident Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Joseph Nourrice; and Principal Secretary for the Vice-President's Secretariat, Mrs. Jeanne Simeon.

 

Seychelles welcomes Madagascar back to SADC and AU family

 

                Feb 01, 2014

Seychelles Vice President Danny Faure has congratulated the people and newly-elected President of Madagascar, Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina, and the organizations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for bringing an end to the crisis in Madagascar through the realization of credible, democratic elections.

Speaking at the Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State held today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the margins of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, the Vice President applauded the efforts of SADC in their support of the successful elections held in Madagascar and welcomed the re-admission of the Indian Ocean island state to the SADC family:

"The elections which took place in Madagascar with the support of SADC, the AU, the Indian Ocean Commission, and many other partners are the most transparent in the history of Madagascar and represent the will of the people to move beyond the crisis and to a new era of development.

"I had the honor of representing [Seychelles] President James Michel at the inauguration ceremony in Antanarivo on January 25, and we congratulate you [President Hery Rajaonarimampianina] on your message of inclusion, solidarity, and determination to bring development to the Malagasy people who have suffered immeasurably during the crisis."

The Vice President also thanked the SADC Organ Troika on Peace, Defense and Security, for their unrelenting efforts in bringing an end to the crisis and said that Seychelles was proud of their role in the peace process both through SADC and through the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

In addition, Vice President Faure welcomed the African Union decision to lift sanctions on Madagascar, previously imposed for unconstitutional changes in government, and welcomed them back as an active member of the organization.

It should be recalled that President James Michel hosted two rounds of mediation talks together with South African President Jacob Zuma, then Chair of the SADC Organ Troika on Peace, Defense and Security, as part of the roadmap that led to the elections, notably the Desroches process held in July 2012.

The Seychelles government also seconded Ambassador Claude Morel to Antananarivo as Head of the IOC Liaison Office to support efforts to bring an end to the crisis and realize credible democratic elections.

Vice President Danny Faure was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam; the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure; and the Seychelles Permanent Representative to the African Union and Resident Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Joseph Nourrice.