SEYCHELLES CAN GREATLY BENEFIT FROM GLOBAL CRUISE MARKETING

Celebrity Cruises considers offering Seychelles focused cruises

Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Jan 17, 2013

Celebrity Cruises, one of the leading cruising companies in the world, is considering offering special cruises to the Indian Ocean focused on the Seychelles in its 2013/2014 cruising program. This was revealed to the island’s founding President, Sir James R. Mancham, by Mr. Bernt Reitan, a former Chief Executive Officer of the American Aluminum Corporation, who is at the moment a member of the Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Cruises headquartered in Miami, Florida, with which Celebrity Cruises is commercially associated.

Mr. Mancham met Mr. Reitan at the official dinner hosted on Monday, January 14, by Captain Costas Nestoroudis, Master of Celebrity Solstice, which is one of the most modern and beautiful cruise ships afloat today.

The founding President and his wife Catherine boarded the Celebrity Solstice in Auckland, New Zealand, on January 4, 2013 on a 14-day cruise which terminated in Sydney, Australia, on January 16, following visits to Tauranga, Akaroa, Wellington, Dunedine, Milford, Doubtful Dusky Sounds in New Zealand, and Hobart in Tasmania.

The 122,000-ton Celebrity Solstice carries some 3,000 passengers plus a crew of 1,200 officers, staff, and service personnel.

In a statement issued in Sydney on January 16, the Seychelles founding President, who is expected back in Seychelles on January 21 and who has considerable cruising experiences to various parts of the world behind him, said that Celebrity Cruises are extremely well organized and represent great value for the money. “Seychelles tourism will greatly benefit from Celebrity’ world-wide marketing position,” he said.

COUPLE FROM KENT WINS JEWELRY CONTEST

Seychelles to welcome Brown and Newirth winners for 5-star honeymoon

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Jan 16, 2013

A lucky couple from the UK will be flying to Seychelles this year on a 5-star honeymoon package after the winner of the Brown & Newirth’s honeymoon competition to the islands was announced this week. The winner is a customer from the SWAG jewelers in Bromley, Kent.

The competition was launched in July last year and ran until December 31, 2012, whereby all couples buying a Brown & Newirth wedding ring in selected jewelry stores in London during the six months qualified for the draw.

The big prize was a 5-star honeymoon package to the Seychelles, worth up to £10,000.

The lucky couple will now fly to the Indian Ocean archipelago courtesy of the honeymoon experts, Turquoise Holidays, and will spend five nights at the award-winning spa resort, Banyan Tree Seychelles.

The prize includes a stay in a Beachfront Spa Pool Villa on half-board basis, flights from the UK, and airport transfers in Seychelles, a special “destination dining” experience (a private dining experience with a chef), and 2 90-minute spa sessions at Banyan Tree Spa Seychelles.

Brown & Newirth is a British brand that makes bespoke wedding and commitment rings, and the Seychelles’ honeymoon competition ran in selected jewelry stores in London.

All the partners, including the Seychelles Tourist Office in London, have expressed their satisfaction at the success of this competition.

Lena Hoareau, the PR and News Bureau Manager in the UK, has said that she was pleased with the huge visibility generated by this competition and the excitement it created on the wedding market.

“We were pleased to be a partner on this project and even prouder to learn of its success, as obviously Seychelles remains a dream destination for many. The competition created a huge excitement, and it was a dream of all those buying the Brown & Newirth wedding band that they would win this opportunity of a lifetime,” she said from London.

She said that she hopes the publicity generated from the competition would also attract some of the other couples who participated in the draw to consider having their honeymoon in the islands.

Ed Ferris, Managing Director of SWAG jewelers, said he was delighted that a SWAG customer won, and he was also pleased with the way in which the competition was supported and promoted with Brown & Newirth.

“When we heard the news about the competition, we were obviously very excited and hoped we would see one of our customers win, so this result is brilliant for our customer and SWAG. I have to say the success we have seen with it has been down to our enthusiastic sales teams. We have seen strong double-digit growth in our wedding ring sales all year, so this competition is, of course, a factor in helping grow our wedding ring market.”

Brown & Newirth has also expressed its satisfaction and said this was a “perfect partnership between a luxury honeymoon destination and a prestigious wedding ring brand.”

“We have been really pleased with the support we have had from our retail partners to promote this competition to their customers. It has been a great opportunity for retailers to drive wedding ring sales, and we would like to thank our competition partners Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Turquoise Holidays, and the Seychelles Tourism Board,” said Sales Director John Ball.

CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA SET FOR FEBRUARY 8-10

Seychelles Minister rallies private sector to get ready for carnival

Minister Alain St.Ange interviewed by SBC Journalist NISA & Today in Seychelles

Jan 15, 2013

The Seychelles Tourism Board witnessed over the first and second editions of Carnaval International de Victoria an inflow of faithful sponsors and partners pledging their support and contributions to the success of the region's annual carnival that is staged in Seychelles. Their positive response contributed in shaping the carnival and in bringing it one step ahead of becoming the most talked about and coveted event on, not only being recognized in Seychelles as the island's main event, but also claiming its place on the Indian Ocean's annual calendar of events which has been pencilled in as events of importance on the world stage. As Seychelles and its co-hosts proudly announced that “we are ready for the third edition of Carnaval International de Victoria," the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange during an interview by the local media appealed for the carnival’s faithful partners and sponsors to board the carnival wagon and to rally behind such a remarkably internationally-recognized event.

“The carnival is not solely a Seychelles Tourism Board event, but it should become part and parcel of every Seychellois. The nation must take ownership of this event. The Carnaval International de Victoria continues to be an opportunity for the country to showcase its attributes as an event-based tourism destination, and in so doing propel the image of a high-ranking worldwide event. This is also the same mission by each and every co-host for this coming carnival,” said Minister St.Ange.

Staging such a massive event as the Carnaval International de Victoria can only happen with the consolidated effort of all partners. The role played by the private sector and the business community is becoming more than ever important in the hosting of the Carnaval International de Victoria. The number of local and international delegations are growing by each edition, while the carnival is taking a giant leap in becoming one of Seychelles’ indisputable events staged for Seychelles, for the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands, for Africa, and for the world at large. The Seychelles Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture used that opportunity to thank the private sector and all the local businesses which have rallied in the previous past editions of the carnival while urging them to once again be generous for this coming edition of the carnival.

“The success of the carnival can only happen if we all put our hands and our efforts together. The carnival offers a platform of opportunities for the private sector and the business community to inject their contributions, either through sponsorships or as a participant of the carnival. The private sector and business community stands to win from the carnival. The Seychelles Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture recently erected its mega carnival banner on the building of the National Cultural Centre, a sponsorship by a Seychellois, Maryvonne Pool, who lives overseas, but who is also the Seychelles Tourism Ambassador and the Seychelles Consul in Tanzania. This gesture symbolizes the support by Seychellois, and we all join together to say how we value this commitment by individuals and by local businesses. The Seychelles Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture needs everyone to come forward to help them to increase visibility of the carnival,” said Minister St.Ange.

Minister Alain St.Ange also went on to say that the private sector and the local business community should not underestimate the benefits that Carnaval International de Victoria brings to Seychelles and to the region as a whole.

“The hosting of the Carnaval International de Victoria brings direct benefits to Seychelles - Seychelles visitor arrival figures, inflow of foreign exchange, and increase in hotel occupancy level. Figures are public, and everyone can look at the first week of March 2012, the period of the carnival. If Seychelles wants to see these figures continue to grow, the private sector and the business community have a responsibility to work with the Seychelles Tourism Board and in so doing with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to decorate Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles. We all need to rally to dress up one of the smallest capitals in the world as it celebrates its biggest annual event,” said Minister St.Ange to the media.

INDIAN OCEAN VANILLA ISLANDS CARNIVAL ON FEBRUARY 8-10

Seychelles and La Reunion island prepare for next month’s Carnival of Carnivals

L-R: Mr. Pascal Viroleau & Minister Alain St.Ange / Photo: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism & Culture

Jan 14, 2013

The Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism & Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange, and the Head of the Ile Reunion Tourisme (IRT), Mr. Pascal Viroleau, met last week to discuss the coming carnival they are both co-hosting alongside Madagascar and Zimbabwe. The Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands carnival is set for the February 8-10, and it remains the unique carnival of carnivals where the best and most popular carnivals parade side by side followed by cultural troupes from the Community of Nations.

Pascal Viroleau was transiting Seychelles, and he made time to pay a courtesy call on Minister St.Ange at his Offices at the National Cultural Centre in Victoria.
The La Reunion delegation coming to Seychelles was discussed as was the number of foreign press and delegations attending the 2013 edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria. Mr. Viroleau will be addressing the annual press conference at the Constance Ephelia Resort and will be using this opportunity to showcase La Reunion in front of this large group of international press by showing a short promotional DVD of La Reunion.

Minister Alain St.Ange told the press after his meeting with Mr. Pascal Viroleau of La Reunion that every country and every government had a responsibility to showcase their people and their culture. The Seychelles Minister congratulated La Reunion for being proud of their people and jumping on opportunities to show to the world at large their own distinct culture and in so doing their culture.

“The annual Carnaval International de Victoria is an opportunity for tourism destinations to increase their own respective visibility. It is similar to a tourism trade fair but the added advantage here is that the large bank of press come to you and will write about destinations who are present and who are out to showcase their destination through their culture and through the people that stand behind their culture,” Minister St.Ange said.

The large La Reunion delegation is expected to fly to Seychelles on February 6 in time for the official opening of the carnival on February 8 in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles.

SEYCHELLOIS LEARNING LION DANCE FROM CHINESE INSTRUCTORS

Lion dancers roar into Seychelles for February Carnival

L-R: Jon & Joe posing in front of Seychelles Carnival International banner

Jan 13, 2013

Lion dancers from the Southern Chinese province of Foshan in Guangdong are in Seychelles to mount choreography with the islands’ youth for a lion dance carnival float. Chinese instructors, Joe aged 20 and his partner Jon 21, are working closely with Chinese instructor, Mrs. Lownam, Vocal National Choir Program to build a strong and dynamic team of locally-trained lion dancers.

Hip hop dancers and youth from the NRA are among the targeted group of young people composing the lion dance carnival float. Since their arrival in the country, Joe and Jon have been constantly liaising with the International Cooperation Director of the Culture Department to formulate a comprehensive working plan and start up their recruitment process for the lion dance.

The lion dance involves energizing dancers to mimic the lion’s movement. It’s often mistakenly referred to as dragon dance. An easy way to tell the difference is that a lion is operated by two people, while a dragon needs many people.

Since the age of 6, Joe had been performing the lion dance while his partner Jon started at the age of 10. Professionals in their domain, the 2 lion dancers are being put into an ardent task of turning a group of the Seychellois youth into lion dancers. Speaking about their technique Jon explained that “their movements combine together to become the lion.” Jon takes the front position mimicking movement of the lion’s front body.

He controls the eye lids, ears, and the mouth, as the movement of his legs represents the front legs of the lion, whereas Joe arches forward to form the back of the lion, and he controls its tail while his legs represent the lion’s hind legs. The lion dancers are in Seychelles as part of the bilateral cooperation between Seychelles and China. The training program is schedule to start on Monday, January 14, 2013 at the National Cultural Centre auditorium.

NDIAN OCEAN ANNUAL VANILLA ISLAND'S CARNIVAL

Seychelles sets the record straight on Mauritius’ claim of carnival fees

Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Jan 10, 2013

The Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange has reacted to the article that appeared on Today Newspaper with regard to the payment requested from Mauritius to participate in the Indian Ocean Annual Vanilla Island's Carnival. "It is important to set the record straight to avoid any misunderstanding resulting from the article published or republished by the Today Newspaper on Tuesday, January 8, 2013," Minister Alain St.Ange said.

The article entitled "Mauritius undecided on participation at Seychelles Carnival" made reference to a sum of 100,000 euro requested by Seychelles for their participation, and that this remains their concern and was so far stopping them to participate. This article has resulted with local Seychelles media and international correspondents seeking clarifications on the “100,000 euros sponsorship fee” that the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) said it is “being requested” by the Seychelles Tourism Board for their participation into the third edition of the carnival.

Minister St.Ange explained that he personally wrote to the Mauritius authorities on their participation. "To participate in the annual Carnaval International de Victoria is free. There is no fee whatsoever to send a delegation to parade alongside the best and most-known carnivals of the world and together with cultural troupes from the Community of Nations. This was made clear to Mauritius and to every other country sending delegations to Seychelles for the carnival. I need to clarify that it is only countries offered to co-host the Carnival International de Victoria with Seychelles who are requested to make a financial contribution. This fee ensures that they have their logo on every marketing campaign and that their name appears on all carnival documentation. The countries who co-host the carnival also participate in the press conference and have the opportunity to sell their respective country to the gathered press attending the carnival. All the other participating countries, and there are many who make the trip annually, only have to pay board and lodging whilst in Seychelles and their own air travel costs," Minister Alain St.Ange said

The Mauritian authorities had requested that Seychelles consider granting them board and lodging under the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, however, this carnival is not covered under this bilateral cooperation. "It is important to note that the carnival organizing committee does not make provision under its budget to cover the cost for participating countries. Each country's delegation comes to this carnival of carnivals in Seychelles to showcase their culture, their people, and the unique selling points of their respective country. For tourism destinations, it is a way to be seen; it is a way to be more visible in front of press who do not know the destination and who would not just write about the destination otherwise. Seychelles promises maximum coverage to all participating countries. The co-hosts of the 2013 carnival are working together to ensure that the press delegations covering their carnival is more impressive year on year, and that the expected coverage will ensure visibility of participating countries," Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles said to questions from the press.

On the question of whether the Seychelles really wants Mauritius to be present at the carnival, the Seychelles Minister St.Ange said: "Yes, of course we do. This is why we have for three years consecutively been inviting them to be with us. They have always had the option to either only be a participant or be a co-host with Seychelles. We are saddened by this latest confusion arising about whether Mauritius will participate or not. The choice is theirs and theirs alone, but we should keep to facts and avoid printing untrue statements on the matter. We have always had the one story and proposal on the matter, and this the Mauritius authorities know well," Minister St.Ange said.

CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA

Seychelles goes through final rehearsals for carnival

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Jan 10, 2013

The staffs at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture have been inspired by Seychelles’ traditional musical instruments for the upcoming Carnaval International de Victoria.

The musical instruments will played by some fifty staff members of the Seychelles Tourism Board and those from the Department of Culture. It was very apparent at the rehearsal on Tuesday in the ICCS Conference Center Car Park that the staffs of the Ministry are hyped up to join the carnival float for the three days when Seychelles welcomes the world to its shores. The staffs of the Ministry have said that they feel proud to be part of the fun-loving people of the world and that they will be swinging their way through the streets of Victoria during the Carnival Parade on February 9.

Preparations for the anticipated Carnival float have been in place for weeks already and final rehearsals kicked off Tuesday, January 8, at the International Conference Centre, spearheaded by traditional dance instructor Marietta Matombe from the Ministry’s National Troupe and Miera Savy, Director of International Cooperation.
The staff of the Tourism Board said that nothing could overcome the buzz while watching their carnival float parading with other carnival goers in 2012. For this 2013 edition, the Seychelles Tourism Board is merging with workers of the Culture Department to prepare for one of its biggest-ever carnival floats.

These final days are seeing the rehearsal where the carnival team will let the sounds of the instrumental music bring out the rhythm in them. Not only will they be learning the steps, but the most challenging part will be to attain the full swing of the rehearsal by tuning their traditional instruments to the upbeat of the songs arrangement, ensuring a flawless delivery on the big day.

Dancers and choreographer are prepared to sweat it out while a consume designer was on hand to ensure the dancers are perfectly fitted in their role. The Seychelles Tourism and Culture carnival float will join the over twenty confirmed local float for the parade. In the meantime, the Seychelles Tourism Board is waiting for confirmation from other local companies already registered and who are ready to showcase their company as supporters of the carnival.

Mr. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, accompanied by Ms. Benjamine Rose, his Principle Secretary for Culture; Ms. Jenifer Sinon, the Administration and HR Manager at the Tourism Board; and Mrs. Raymonde Onezime, the Minister’s Special Advisor, were at the ICCS Conference Center Carpark to see for themselves the final preparations by their team members for the biggest popular event organized in Seychelles.

Minister St.Ange said after he left the rehearsals that he was happy to see the enthusiasm of the Ministry’s team members to be part of the coming carnival. “Seychelles is the host country; we have a duty to come out and show our commitment to the event that has helped us increase our country’s visibility in the four corners of the world. Participating adds to the color of the carnival, and it helps develop unity amongst company’s team members and amongst ourselves, the people of Seychelles,” Minister Alain St.Ange said.

HOTEL IS BACK IN BUSINESS

Seychelles Le Meridien Fishermen’s Cove Hotel saved from blaze

Photos from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Jan 08, 2013

A prime Seychelles hotel, the Le Meridien Fishermen’s Cove Hotel, was saved from last Thursday’s night blaze and is already back in business, operating on a very high occupancy level and receiving bookings as normal.

Analyzing the minor damages caused by the fire, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, had re-assured tour operators not to panic from this incident and to be assured that the hotel “survived the fire, suffering only minor damage to a restaurant.”

Minister Alain St.Ange said that it is “of utmost importance for Seychelles to echo the message that it had saved one of its top hotels, and a prime property situated on the island’s golden mile of Beau Vallon.”

According to the General Manager of Le Meridien Fishermen’s Cove, Mr. Mathieu De Tonnac, on the night of the fire the hotel was running on a high occupancy level, and that according to him, the fire was caused by an electrical fault.

“None of our hotel guests, associates, or other persons were injured. The affected restaurant, Le Cardinal, is temporarily closed for business. Arrangements have been made to relocate the restaurant in the hotel’s main lobby which commands a panoramic view of Beau Vallon Bay. The souvenir shops affected by the fire will continue to remain closed for a few weeks, while Le Bougeois restaurant and all other food and beverages outlets remain operational,” said Mr. Mathieu de Tonnac.

On the night of the fire, 58 out of the 68 rooms were occupied. Mr. Mathieu de Tonnac said that “Ten out of the guests from the 58 occupied rooms preferred to be relocated for the night of the fire, but most of them came back the following day when they had realized that everything was under control.”

Minister St.Ange advocated the sense of solidarity and team work of the staff who volunteered and rallied with the fire fighters to help save one of the countries’ prime properties.

“The fire should not discourage builders from using thatch for roofs, because using local materials give our hotels their Seychellois Creole authenticity,” said Minister St.Ange.

Minister St.Ange was accompanied on the visit by Mr. Dan Frichot, the Ministry Community Development Official; Mrs. Farisianne Lucas, the District Administrator for Bel Ombre; Ambassador Barry Faure, the Chairman of Seychelles Tourism Board; Mrs. Raymonde Onezime, the Special Advisor to the Minister; Mrs. Sandra Sabury, the Disaster Project Superintendent for Environment and Emergency Unit; and Mrs. Jennifer Sinon, the Director for Administration and Human Resource at the Seychelles Tourism Board who was replacing the Chief Executive of Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt.

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).

PHOTOS (Top): Minister Alain St. Ange and top level delegations taking stock of damages of the fire at Le Meridien Fishermen’s Cove hotel; (Bottom): Left to right - General Manager of Le Meridien Fishermen’s Cove hotel Mathieu de Tonnac and Minister Alain St.Ange being interviewed by local press

CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA

Governor of Province de Namur set to personally fly the Belgium flag at Seychelles carnival

Photos from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Jan 07, 2013

Belgium is the latest European country to confirm their participation at the February 8-10 Carnaval International de Victoria. This spectacular unique event is staged annually in Seychelles and is this year being co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe.

It is the Province de Namur of Belgium that will be flying the Belgium flag alongside those from the Community of Nations showcasing their country’s culture and people at the event now known as the “carnival of carnivals” because all the world’s best and most reputed carnivals all parade together followed by cultural troupes from proud nations from everywhere.

Mr. Christian Hebrant, the Chef de Cabinet from the Office of Governor Denis Mathen from the Province de Namur, has written to Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, to confirm Belgium’s participation. The request to have Belgium participate at the Carnaval International de Victoria was made to Governor Mathen by Minister St.Ange last year when the Seychelles Minister was on a working visit Belgium. It was at the Palais du Gouverneur that Governor Denis Mathen welcomed Minister Alain St.Ange and where they discussed cultural exchange programs and cooperation in hospitality training.

The Province of Namur is known for its group "Echasseurs" which walks and performs on stilts, and it is this group made up of some 17 Belgiums who will be traveling to Seychelles for the 2013 Carnaval International de Victoria, the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands mid-ocean carnival.

Gouverneur Denis Mathen of the Province de Namur will also personally lead a delegation to Seychelles to be at the carnival as well as to continue of the discussions he and Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles have on the table.

“I am happy the Governor Mathen from the Belgium Province de Namur is coming to the carnival with a delegation of ‘Echasseurs.’ This is a new attraction for the 2013 carnival we are staging together with La Reunion, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe. The spirit of the melting pot of cultures remains alive and kicking as we see delegations upon delegations from North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia confirm their participation in the Vanilla Islands Carnival that we stage on the equator for the world to showcase their culture and their people,” Minister Alain St.Ange said.

REPORT TO BE LAUNCHED IN JANUARY 2013

Seychelles produces case study of e-Government program

Image via Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Jan 04, 2013

To promote knowledge-sharing to advance the development of information and communication technology (ICT) and e-Government, the government of Seychelles' Department of ICT is collaborating with the Commonwealth Secretariat to produce a case study of its e-Government program in January 2013. The aim is to share Seychelles' development experience with other small states in the Caribbean and the Pacific which have some similar characteristics with that of the Indian Ocean state.

The Principal Secretary, Mr. Benjamin Choppy, who is responsible for the Department of ICT (DICT) under which the e-Government portfolio falls, said that it is an honor and privilege for the work of DICT to be internationally recognized by the UN and the Commonwealth. "Especially when it is an all-Seychellois team of whom many are still in their youth," he said.

The case study initiative was launched following a presentation at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on November 19, 2012 by the government of Seychelles on its e-Government strategies to improve connectivity, transform government processes for efficiency gains, and deliver e-services. The Director General of the Information Technology of Department of ICT (DICT), Mrs. Lanka Dorby, made the presentation at the conference on “e-Governance in Small States.”

The event was attended by representatives from Microsoft, the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO), the Commonwealth Network of IT for Development (COMNET-IT), the government of Malta, and high commissioners from 30 commonwealth small states to discuss how ICT could be used to facilitate improvements in public financial management, anti-corruption, and service delivery.

Seychelles is making great strides in ICT development, and this is reflected in its top ranking in Africa in the United Nations Public Administration Network's (UNPAN) e-Government Index (2012) and the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) ICT Development Index (2012).

Further development in ICT can be anticipated now that Seychelles is linked to a submarine fiber-optic cable.

TOURISM BOARD EXCEEDS PROJECTED FIGURES

Seychelles Tourism Minister applauds increase in visitor arrivals

Minister St.Ange / Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Jan 03, 2013

As we start 2013, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, has congratulated the islands’ Tourism Board for not only achieving, but exceeding, the 7% increase in visitor arrival figures as set for Seychelles at the Tourism Board’s 2011 marketing meeting held at Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel.

“It was at the 2011 December marketing meeting at Le Meridien Barbarons, attended by the Heads of the Tourism Board, members of the islands’ private sector, all the Tourism Board’s overseas directors, and the heads of Ile La Reunion Tourism, that the forecast for the visitor arrival target for 2012 was called. Today, we can all see that the Tourism Board had not only been realistic with their forecast, but that it had proposed a well-calculated plan of action for developing Seychelles tourism when they knew that the main markets for Seychelles were suffering from their own economic difficulties. It is easy to take the efforts of those in the frontline for granted, but when we see what is happening in other tourism destinations, and when we read what the big boys in the regional world of tourism are saying, we must and we should be humble enough to say congratulations to the team at the Tourism Board who have worked hard during 2012,” Minister St.Ange said.

“But as we celebrate as a country on our achievements of 2012, we must also appreciate that the existing public/private sector partnership has brought positive results for Seychelles. The private sector has worked side by side with the government agencies in the promotion of Seychelles, and they have again shown their commitment by coming out last December to work with the Tourism Board on the country’s 2013 marketing plan. I have personally maintained a close working relationship with the private sector and continue to meet their elected representatives on a regular basis,” the Seychelles Minister for Tourism said.

Seychelles is today receiving in visitor arrival numbers well over 2 times its total population and around 5 times its adult working population. These mid-ocean tropical islands with a weather pattern that has given them the name of the tourism destination with a perpetual summer are dependent on their tourism industry. This is why the islands’ Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture is often heard saying that they are not allowed to fail in their work to market the islands and to continue to consolidate the Seychelles tourism industry.

“As we start 2013, my appeal is to the tourism industry as a whole to continue to work as a united team for Seychelles. In so doing, each and everyone will see their respective businesses grow. You have been calling for more funds to go to marketing, and the 2013 government has heard your pleas, and you will continue to be consulted on how we spend these funds that will be operated from an account at a private bank. We understand the need to now gradually increase further the yield from tourism, and we commit to working with the trade as they review their rates they feel is most suited for their respective business,” Minister Alain St.Ange said.

Hotels in Seychelles have always said that they are not competing among themselves, but suffer when price dumping occurs in the region. This is why Seychelles has been playing a leading role in the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization. They have said over and over again that if the region works as a team, then each and every island of the region will come out as winners.

The Seychelles President, Mr. James Michel, has declared that 2013 will be the year for “Striving for our Seychelles,” in order to reinforce the progress that has been achieved and to overcome the challenges of the continued global recession. The Seychelles President said that the life of a people is defined by the capacity to overcome difficulties, overcome obstacles, without giving up, and that these abilities are what make us stronger as human beings and render us valiant as a people.

President James Michel said as he declared the theme for the islands and that: “Life does not improve by chance. Progress comes from positive changes and hard work. We have to sail away from the coast in order to discover new oceans, new horizons. Have courage. Have belief. Assume our responsibilities…”

The Seychelles President’s message reaffirms the conclusions of the last marketing meeting held at the Hilton Silhouette Labriz Resort and Spa where the private sector trade and the Tourism Board sat together and agreed to move to discover new oceans and new horizons for the country’s tourism industry.

“It was agreed at the 2012 marketing meeting that Seychelles needed to remain proactive and to continue to work on diversification of our island’s tourism markets as we relook at measures to reclaim our fair share of the traditional main markets. It was also agreed that even more needed to be done to keep Seychelles visible in the 4 corners of the world, and here, the Friends of Seychelles in the Press Fraternity will be called upon to assist,” Minister St.Ange said.

WARM GREETINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

Seychelles and South Africa create strategic partnership

L to R: South Africa Minister Nkoana-Mashabane & Seychelles President Michel

Jan 02, 2013

On the eve of the New Year, the Seychelles President, Mr. James Michel, has met with the Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mrs. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, at State House. The Minister and her delegation are on a short official visit to Seychelles.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane conveyed the warm greetings for the New Year to the President and the people of Seychelles from the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who was last in Seychelles on a working visit in August this year.

“President Zuma remembers warmly his visits to Seychelles and is encouraged by the leadership of President Michel in the work to resolve the crisis in Madagascar. We have come a long way together in our joint efforts in SADC to bring stability to the country,” said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.

President Michel also conveyed New Year wishes to the President of South Africa and expressed his gratitude for the support of South Africa, and in particular the personal efforts of President Zuma, for working closely with Seychelles to develop programs of cooperation, which Mr. Michel said is a “strategic partnership for the prosperity of the peoples of the two countries.”

“We have a common view of development in Africa, and South Africa has a special perspective on the needs of Small Island Developing States, and has supported us in our efforts to bring regional peace and stability. We have discussed a number of socio-economic issues which will enable us to work towards strengthening our bilateral cooperation,” said President Michel.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane also met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean Paul Adam, yesterday, where they discussed expanding cooperation in the health sector, tourism trade, and investments, as well as in culture and sports, through the sharing of expertise, training for personnel, and deepening dialogue to maximize potential partnerships. Other areas of cooperation discussed include educational support through the provision of further scholarships and possible collaboration with the University of Seychelles, and closer collaboration in the area of maritime security in the Indian Ocean, as well as the support of maritime-related industry in the region.”