SHANGHAI CONSULATE GENERAL

Shanghai a key location to promote tourism to Seychelles

 

 

Jul 30, 2013

The preparations for the opening of the Seychelles Consulate General in Shanghai, China, is well underway and is set to help develop and expand the commercial and economic cooperation between the two countries.

During a meeting held this week with the Leaders of the Shanghai municipal government, Mr. Jean Paul Adam, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles, has extended his appreciation to the municipal government for its collaboration with the Seychelles authorities in establishing a presence in Shanghai to better support the economic and people to people exchanges between the two countries.

The proposed Consulate General will cover the Shanghai municipality, Jiangsu Province, and Zhejiang Province.

During his visit to Shanghai, the Minister also had the opportunity of visiting the Huawei Technologies Cooperation, which is a leading ICT leading solutions provider. Huawei, a private company established in 1987, is now among the first five ICT providers in China and has 16 regional headquarters with operations in over 140 countries.

During the visit, Minister Adam stated that despite the differences in size between the two countries, there were many mutually beneficial economic opportunities to be taken up:

"Very large countries such as China, and very small countries such as Seychelles, need to invest in technology and in efficiency to ensure competitiveness. The small market in Seychelles can allow quick adoption of new technologies, and we are an ideal testing station."

Minister Adam also added that Shanghai was a key location for the growth and promotion of tourism, and thus the importance of establishing its first Consulate General of this kind in Shanghai.

 

WHIRLWIND OF ACTIVITIES IN ITALY

Miss Seychelles prepares for Miss World pageant

 

 

Agnes Gerry, “Miss Seychelles…another world” 2013

 

Jul 29, 2013

The Seychelles Tourism Board, the body responsible since the last two years for the organization of the “Miss Seychelles…another world” beauty pageant has thanked both Alessandro Pindilli and Cristiano de Masi for their support and for the time they have taken to enable Agnes Gerry, the beauty queen of the Seychelles for 2013, to explore the world of fashion.

Agnes Gerry, the “Miss Seychelles…another world” 2013 is back home from a successful working visit in Italy. She was hosted in Italy by Alessandro Pindilli, the Seychelles Tourism Ambassador in Italy who is also a partner in an Italian Modeling Agency, and Cristiano de Masi, also of Creative Ideas of Italy.

"We are grateful to all the associates of Alessandro and Cristiano for making time to work with Agnes Gerry. From the professional photographers:www.creativeideas.tv, to Maison Gattinoni, to Guillermo Mariotto through Gattinoni Couture, to the hair style & make up stylists: Antonio e Raffaele Fabbricatorewww.fabbricatoreantonio.com, to the Creative Ideas Agencywww.creativeideas.tv, to the special cake surprise photo shoot: Valentina “Pizzingrillo” Urbiniwww.pizzingrilloparty.it. You have all come together to make our beauty queen even more prepared for the coming Miss World pageant. For this we thank you," the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange said.

Agnes Gerry captivated the Italian media with her simple island girl approach they qualified simply as “Island Style.” This is exactly the approach Agnes is taking her bid to the Miss World Pageant as she wants to remain true to herself as a young Seychelloise marking her presence and that of her country at the international pageant.

 

WHAT A GOLF COURSE!

Seychelles listed in the 10 of the best golf courses in Africa

 

 

Image via worldnewsnetwork7.com

 

Jul 28, 2013

Tony Smart publishes a list of the 10 best golf courses of Africa for CNN. Seychelles has one of the most spectacular golf courses, but it remains relatively unknown as they have for some reason or another kept that privacy which today brings influential and many a star to play golf on that designer golf course of their Praslin Island.

Tony Smart for CNN writes: "For a reputedly impoverished continent, Africa has a remarkable number of golf courses - 828 courses in 50 countries with a little more than half of those, 450, located in South Africa. Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe are all gaining reputations as good destinations for a golf holiday. There are 43 other countries in Africa with multiple courses (Nigeria has 50 and Zambia has 21), and it won't be much longer before some of them join that list. If you're contemplating a golf holiday in Africa, here's my list of the 10 best golf courses in Africa, in alphabetical order by country. All are great courses and, with the exception of the Seychelles, there are plenty of other excellent courses in each country if you like variety.

On the Seychelles Lemuria Hotel Golf Course Tony Smart writes:

"Lemuria Golf Course, Praslin Island, Seychelles: The 5,827-yard, par-70 course at the Lemuria Resort on Praslin Island in the Seychelles is the only 18-hole course in this Indian Ocean archipelago. But what a golf course! What it lacks in length this beautiful layout more than makes up for in the challenge it presents. Designed by Rodney Wright and Marc Farry, and opened in 2000, the first 12 holes play through narrow palm-lined fairways beside the resort itself with plenty of water and sand waiting for wayward shots. The remaining six holes rise up into the island's hills providing panoramic views across the course, the island, and other islands in the distance, while the fairways get narrower and the challenge harder. Apparently the record for number of lost balls in one round stands at 40, so take plenty of ammo with you. But if you ever get the chance to play here, grab it, because this is truly one of the most beautiful golf courses I've ever played anywhere in the world. Green fees here are included in room rates for golfers staying at the resort although compulsory carts have to be paid for (SCR 760/$64). Green fees for anyone not staying at the resort are SCR 1,610 including cart. Lemuria Golf Course, Anse Kerlan, Praslin, Seychelles: +248 4281 281."

 

President of Seychelles extends sympathies to Spain following train derailment

 

 

Seychelles President James Michel / Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Jul 26, 2013

Seychelles President James Michel has sent a message expressing the condolences of the people and government of Seychelles to the President of the government of the Kingdom of Spain following the tragic train crash that occurred in Galacia, Spain:

“The People of Seychelles stand in strong solidarity with you in this difficult time.

“We offer our thoughts and prayers for the swift recovery of those injured as well as for the wellbeing and rescue of those still trapped in the wreckage. Our thoughts are with you all and most importantly with the families that have been directly touched by this tragedy.”

The President extended his support and wished the people of Spain “faith and strength” during this difficult time.

 

GET A JUMP ON TRAVEL PLANS

Christmas holiday with the stars in paradise

 

 

Minister Alain St.Ange chairing the “Christmas with the Stars” evening

 

Jul 26, 2013

Seychelles is wasting no time preparing for the holiday season this year. With Christmas on their minds in the month of July, meetings are taking place, plans are being made, and lists are being checked twice.

The Seychelles Ministry responsible for Tourism and Culture and their National Arts Council met with representatives of the island's musicians, choirs, musical bands, and known musical personalities at their offices at the National Cultural Centre in Victoria to discuss the launch of the end-of-year festivities set for December 7, which everyone hoped should also be the date when the decorative lights though Victoria will be switched on.

The meeting was chaired by Minister Alain St.Ange, the island's Minister responsible for Tourism and Cultural himself, and he was accompanied by Ms. Benjamine Rose, the PS for Culture; Mr. Jimmy Savy, the CEO of the National Art Council (NAC); and Mr. Rassin from the Mayor of Victoria's Office.

Minister St.Ange said the Ministry of Tourism and Culture was working with the Office of the Mayor, the community of artists, and choirs to mark the 2013 end-of-year festivities with an evening with a difference.

"We need to work with the community of artists, and we need to work with our country's choirs to make this 2013 end-of-year festivities one that will set the stage for the years to come. Christmas and the end-of-year celebrations remain dear to us as a people and as a country, and we owe it to ourselves and to our country to provide a launch of these celebrations where families, where young couples, where the elderly can all come together for a musical spectacle with Christmas songs, carols, and end-of-year songs by our professionals accompanied by budding artists. We all know when the community of artists decide to come together, what a magical evening they can stage for Seychelles," Minister Alain St.Ange said.

"At this second meeting, the representatives of the island's musicians, choirs, musical bands, and other known musical personalities all agreed that the time is right for everyone to come together to give Seychelles a family evening out with entertainment, fun, and end-of-year Christmas and the arrival of the New Year songs we have all loved and cherished throughout our lives," Minister St.Ange said.

Mr. Jimmy Savy of the NAC discussed the setting up of the show management as Mr. Patrick Victor, the representative of the Musicians Associations, echoed his commitment for the “Christmas with the Stars” evening, and the representatives of some choirs agreed to all come together for a spectacular night also with carols.

The organizers promised some real surprises for that evening where Victoria will see a display with musicians arriving on stage by means never seen before by the general public.

 

African Diaspora Africa USA backs Seychelles Tourism Minister’s UNWTO nomination

 

 

Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Jul 24, 2013

The African Diaspora Tourism of the USA has published a message of support for the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture on his nomination for a seat on the UNWTO Executive Council.

The message reads: African Diaspora Tourism is in support of Alain St.Ange, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Republic of the Seychelles, in his nomination for election as a member of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council. "St.Ange has done an outstanding job in the tourism field and has managed to brand Seychelles globally as a desirable destination," says African Diaspora Tourism publisher Kitty Pope.

"He is a strong believer in strategic regional marketing approaches as demonstrated by the successful Vanilla Island Cooperation of Indian Ocean Island. Having developed win-win marketing partnerships with African mainland and other destinations, St.Ange is very visionary and insightful as a leader. He would bring the same commitment and expertise in tourism to the UNWTO Executive Council," says Pope. "I am certain he will be able to help increase tourism arrivals to Africa in a few years the same way he has for Seychelles. I believe St.Ange has the capability of making Africa a premier global destination of the twenty-first century."

St. Ange is the creator of Carnaval Internationale de Victoria (The Carnival of Carnivals), where he got participation from various countries around the globe. His idea for such a carnival was to bring different cultures together for celebration in Seychelles. He has also launched other successful, original marketing campaigns where he worked with global media outlets to raise the profile of Seychelles. Having worked as CEO of Seychelles Tourism and now as minister of Tourism and Culture for more than a year, St.Ange helped to reinvigorate and reinvent Seychelles Tourism.

A sought-after speaker and conference presenter, St. Ange has become a highly-regarded African tourism leader and has worked with other countries in helping to put together portfolios to increase tourism arrivals. Many global organizations leaders in Africa are supporting St.Ange's nomination to UNWTO. His philosophy of "friends of all, enemies of none" has gained him respect around Africa and beyond. African Diaspora Tourism believes that St.Ange will be a valuable asset if he is elected to the African seat on the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Committee.

 

Seychelles Tourism Minister backed by IIPT for UNWTO Executive Council seat

 

 

IIPT President Louis D’Amore applauds Seychelles Minister St.Ange / Image via iipt.org

 

Jul 24, 2013

STOWE, Vermont, USA - Since becoming the Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture, the Hon. Alain St.Ange has been continuously in the media spotlight. As a member of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council, Minister St.Ange would bring this same energy, marketing expertise, and commitment to the Council, as well as his media alliances throughout the world, with the aim of doubling arrivals to Africa in a few short years.

It is for these reasons that the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is pleased to support Minister Alain St.Ange in his nomination for election as a member of the UNWTO Executive Council.

Minister St.Ange is a strong believer in strategic regional marketing approaches as demonstrated by the successful Vanilla Island Cooperation of Indian Ocean Islands. He has also developed win-win marketing partnerships with African mainland destinations promoting combined safari-beach vacations and thereby reaching new markets for both partners.

In supporting the Hon. Alain St. Ange for the Executive Committee, IIPT President Louis D’Amore stated: “IIPT was honored to have Minister St.Ange as a keynote speaker at the Fifth IIPT African Conference - Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism - during which he clearly demonstrated his visionary and insightful thinking. We have observed since that time, the impressive manner in which he has marketed the Seychelles as a global destination and the creative new initiatives he has implemented such as the Carnaval Internationale de Victoria (The Carnival of Carnivals).”

Mr. D’Amore continued: “As Africa’s representative to the UNWTO Executive Council, he will similarly use his marketing skills and expertise to bring world-wide media attention to all of Africa as a premier global destination of the twenty-first century. Moreover, his Seychelles philosophy ‘friends of all, enemies of none’ is a philosophy supportive of IIPT’s vision of ‘Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism’ and our belief that ‘Every traveler is potentially an Ambassador for Peace.’”

IIPT is dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives which contribute to international understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, the preservation of heritage, poverty reduction, and the resolution of conflict - and through these initiatives, help bring about a more peaceful and sustainable world. IIPT is dedicated to mobilizing travel and tourism, the world’s largest industry, as the world’s first “Global Peace Industry,” an industry that promotes and supports the belief that “Every traveler is potentially an Ambassador for Peace.” www.iipt.org.

 

Africa's ten top golf courses revealed by CNN

 

 

Jul 22, 2013

With the continent home to more than 800 golf courses, Africa is fast becoming an attractive option for fans of this privileged sport. This week, CNN Travel (http://on.cnn.com/12bv1Fw) goes beyond the green in a special online feature that uncovers the very best golf courses the continent has to offer.

Here’s a peek at the top 10, listed in alphabetical order, by country:

Ø The Cascades course at Soma Bay, Hurghada, Egypt
Ø The Heritage Golf Club, Bel Ombre, Mauritius
Ø Le Touessrok golf course, Ile Aux Cerfs, Mauritius
Ø Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, El Jadida, Morocco
Ø Windhoek Golf & Country Club, Namibia
Ø Lemuria Resort golf course, Praslin Island, the Seychelles
Ø Fancourt Links golf course, George, Western Cape, South Africa
Ø The Gary Player Country Club course, Sun City, South Africa
Ø Flamingo golf course, Monastir, Tunisia
Ø Leopard Rock Golf Resort, Mutare, Zimbabwe

For the full feature, visithttp://on.cnn.com/12bv1Fw.
For more CNN Travel content, visit http://on.cnn.com/12bvgQM

CNN Travel continues its summer series over the coming weeks, naming the 10 best water parks to hit before the summer is out, the best sunsets in the world, the 10 greatest motorcycle journeys in the world, 10 awesome new theme parks and a special series in wine.

CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in five different languages across all major TV, internet and mobile platforms reaching more than 375 million households around the globe. CNN International, awarded “News Channel of the Year” by the Royal Television Society in March 2013, is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America. The CNN digital network is consistently one of the top news and current affairs destination on the web. CNN has 45 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is part of Turner Broadc

 

Kenya Airways announces its 4th Frequency to Seychelles

 

 

Jul 21, 2013

Sam Toussaint, the Sales & Ticketing Supervisor at Kenya Airways Seychelles has confirmed to the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture and to the island's Tourism Board that Kenya Airways was adding its 4th Frequency to Seychelles.

This decision by Kenya Airways is credit to the work being done by Mrs Zakiya Vidot, the Seychellois Manager of the Kenya Airways Seychelles Operation. Mrs Vidotwho personally follows the dossiers of her many faithful clients flying out of Seychelles or of companies using Kenya Airways for flights to Africa or on to Europe and further afield.
In a letter where Kenya Airways thanked Alain St.Ange, the Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture for thethe hard work he is doing for the tourism industry of the country they announced the introduction of their fourth weekly flight to Seychelles.

The new Kenya Schedule came into operation since 6 July 2013 with four weekly flights between Nairobi and the Seychelles. This extra flights will be going for a period of two months from July to August 2013. Kenya Airways is now flying to Seychelles on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays giving more flight options and connectivity to their loyal and esteemed clients and also bringing Seychelles closer, not to only to other parts in Africa but also Europe in which have a code share agreement with Air France and KLM and also to the middle East and Asia. To note that Kenya Airways has been operating flights to the Seychelles over the past 37 years, and despite of the many challenges and obstacles they have faced they say that they are proud to announce that KQ is the only international airline which has served the longest amount of years of flight operations in Seychelles and are constantly looking into new ways to enhancing their ability to bringing more tourists in Seychelles.

Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture has welcomed the extra seasonal flights by Kenya Airways. "We appreciate the support by Kenya Airways. You have been a loyal and trusted partner through thick and thin. We value your presence in the list of our favoured airlines and assure you of our total support. We hope that this short term seasonal flight which will be repeated again later in the year when our busy period comes in is a success" Minister Alain St.Ange said.

 

Seychelles President Michel meets with President of the United Nations General Assembly

 

 

President James Michel, Mr. Vuk Jeremic , President of UNGA

 

Jul 21, 2013

Seychelles President James Michel met with the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Vuk Jeremic at State House this afternoon. Mr. Jeremic is in Seychelles to address the AIMS Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

President Michel congratulated Mr. Jeremic on his dynamic presidency of the UNGA during the last year, where the interests of the developing world were often brought to the forefront of its discussions.

"Thank you for championing the cause of Small Islands Developing States and for the support you have given us in the AIMS Regional Preparatory Meeting. This will make a difference in the agenda which is set for the Samoa conference, and further promote our common aims for sustainable development, "said the President.

Mr. Jeremic said that the conference is timely and will provide an opportunity for SIDS to make their voices heard and ensure they have a constructive and active role in the development agenda in the UNGA.

" We will be discussing the post-2015 development agenda currently being developed in the United Nations, and in particular the priorities of the small island states.... We discussed how these priorities can be integrated in the broader goals of the international community," said Mr. Jeremic.

The President of the UNGA commended Seychelles for the progress it has made in its economic and social development, and added that Seychelles is making a strong impact with its work within the United Nations system.

"Seychelles is a small country but a very visible country in the international community...I think the Seychelles balanced very well the interests of various countries, like in the fight against piracy.... in development issues, renewable energy and the blue economy.... You do have a good image in the United Nations," said Mr. Jeremic.

Mr. Jeremic added that in the UN General Assembly each country has one vote, and by grouping together to form a common position on issues that are their priority, small island states, which are large in numbers, therefore have a serious negotiating power in the United Nations. Furthermore, Mr. Jeremic expressed his confidence that the Seychelles bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council 2017-2018 term would be successful in the vote in 2016.

• Vuk Jeremić was elected President of the sixty-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly on 8 June 2012. At the time of his election, he was serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, an office he held starting on 15 May 2007. He ends his term in the UNGA in mid - September 2013.
• Present at the meeting were; Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure, the President's Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Callixte d'Offay, as well as the UNGA President's Chef de Cabinet, Mr. Zdravko Ponoš.

 

EARTH DIALOGUE CONFERENCE IN RUSSIA

Former Soviet President Grobachev invites former Seychelles president Mancham

 

 

Jul 20, 2013

It is announced from Glacis-sur-Mer in the Seychelles that the Seychelles founding President, Sir James R. Mancham has accepted the invitation of Mikhail Gorbachev, the founding President of Green Cross International, Mr Jan Kulczyk, the present Chairman and Mr Alexander Likhotal, the current President, to participate in the Earth Dialogues Conference that the Green Cross International is organizing in connection with its 20th anniversary which will take place on the 3rd of September, 2013 at le Palais des Nations in Geneva under the patronage of the Director-General of UNOG, Mr Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The title of the conference is “Pathways into the Future: Triggers of Change”. The conference is being organized to provide rich discourse and exchanges on the critical questions of peace, security, environment and development with the objective of formulating a “Geneva Appeal” and providing a road map to achieve “the future we want” as outlined in the RIO +20 document.

Mikhail Gorbachev was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until its demise in 1991. The first Soviet leader to be born after the revolution, he tried to reform the Soviet Union with his policy of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), attempting to infuse the communist society and economy with a market dynamism. He was widely popular in the West largely because of the way he managed the dismantling of the Soviet empire allowing the Berlin Wall and iron curtain to fall without Soviet military interference. His attempts at reform help to end the cold war but also ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and unintentionally resulting in the dissolution of the Soviet Union on Christmas Day 1991.

Jan Kulczyk born in 1950 in Poland, is a business man who, according to Forbes Magazine, is the richest citizen of Poland with an estimated net worth of 2.6 billion Euros. In 2013, he was ranked 284 on the world’s billionaires list by Forbes moving up to the rank through his continuously diversified port folios of investment, notably in Africa where Kulczyk’s investments holds a 40% stake in Neconde Energy Ltd, a corporation which acquired an oil production license in Nigeria. Kulczyk Holding is headquartered in Warsaw with its investment holdings being run from offices in Luxembourg, London, Kiev and Dubai.
Alexander Likhotal was born in Moscow in 1950 with a distinguished academic background. He became senior research fellow at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he became Professor of Political Science and of International relations. In 1991 Alexander was appointed Deputy Spokesman and advisor to the President of USSR. He remained with President Gorbachev, after his resignation as his advisor and Spokesman. He is very active as the International Media Director at the Gorbachev Foundation.
Mr Kassy-Jomart Tokayev, currently Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) was formerly the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, a position which he held over 10 years. In 2011, the Secretary-General of the United Nation announced his appointment as Under Secretary-General, and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva and as the personal representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the conference on disarmament.

Sir James who is an elected member of the Committee of the Wise and Elders of COMESA; an Honorary Councillor of the World Future Council (WFC); a member of the Board of Governors of the Savannah Ocean Exchange; a Vice-President of Centrist Asia-Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI); a member of the Academic Council of European Centre for Peace Development (ECPD); a co-Chairman of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF); a member of the presidium of the Council of the Eco-Safety Collaborative Organization (IESCO) and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD), said that he feels highly honoured and delighted in starting an association with the Green Cross International which today operates globally and has offices in and around 30 countries and which has over the last two decades been responding to the combined challenges of security, poverty and environmental degradation in a remarkable way – adding his appreciation for the Green Cross International role in the Climate Change Task Force - an independent Non-Governmental Committee to urgently step up the global response to the challenges of Climate Change.

 

Seychelles Tourism Minister committed to work with Chinese community

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Jul 19, 2013

The newly-elected Chairman of the Chinese Association and Union of Seychelles, Mr. Charlie Ng, accompanied by Mr. Vincent Kim Koon and Mr. Andre Lownam, paid a courtesy call on the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange, in the presence of Mr. Wang of the Chinese Embassy. The meeting at the Ministry's Offices at the national Cultural center in Victoria was also attended by PS – Culture Benjamine Rose, and PS – Tourism Anne Lafortune.

The discussion between the Chinese Association and Union of Seychelles and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture centered on the reorganization of the Association representing the Chinese community of Seychelles, on the help being received from the Chinese Embassy in the revamping of the Benezet Street Chinese Pagoda and on annually celebrating the Chinese Spring Festival in Seychelles.

Minister St.Ange congratulated the new committee of the Chinese Association and Union of Seychelles and committed to work with them alongside the Chinese Embassy. It was agreed at the meeting at the first Chinese Spring Festival Seychelles will be on January 31, 2014 which will also see the laying of the foundation stone for the new Chinese Pagoda on Benezet Street Victoria.

Minister Alain St.Ange said at the end of the meeting that this new partnership with the Seychelles Chinese community brings the Department of Culture into direct liaison with the five branches of the Seychellois people. "We have been celebrating the La Francophonie and the Commonwealth. We celebrate FetAfrik, and we celebrate Festival Kreol. Recently we agreed with the High Commission of India and with the local Indian community to mark an India Day, and now with this resolution to cooperate to mark a Chinese day, we are touching the fifth and last branch of what makes us the melting pot of cultures – the Seychellois Creole people," Minister St.Ange said.

A follow-up meeting is planned with the Chinese Ambassador in the very near future.

 

SUPPORT MINSTER ALAIN ST.ANGE FOR UNWTO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR AFRICA

UNWTO Africa: Open letter of support by eTN Publisher Juergen Thomas Steinmetz

 

 

(L to R): Juergen T. Steinmetz & Alain St.Ange at the IIPT conference Lusaka 2011

 

Jul 19, 2013

ETN Publisher Juergen Thomas Steinmetz is issuing this open letter of support for the Hon. Alain St.Ange, Minister of Tourism and Culture for the Republic of the Seychelles.

Dear Friends & Colleagues:

After serious consideration, I am personally pleased to support the Minister of Tourism and Culture for the Republic of the Seychelles, Alain St.Ange, in his bid for election to the African seat on the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Committee.

As many already know, this election will be held in late August during the UNWTO Annual Summit being jointly hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The summit is uniquely scheduled to be held on both sides of the magnificent Victoria Falls, and will bring renewed focus to African tourism, which according to available statistics, only received some 53 million visitors last year, compared to well over a billion travelers worldwide. This constitutes a modest 5 percent of global tourism movements, something Alain St.Ange is intent to change.

In the Seychelles tourism, Minister Alain St.Ange has launched multiple highly-successful, original marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the archipelago, working closely with global media outlets to substantially increase awareness and passenger arrivals to his destination. Since his appointment as the Director of Tourism Marketing, Alain was tasked to take over a reinvigorated and reinvented Seychelles Tourism Board before being appointed Minister of Tourism and Culture last year in March 2012.

The Seychelles has been in the media spotlight continuously since his appointment, and his many friends across Africa are keen to see him bring his substantial expertise to the UNWTO Executive Council where he would bring the same level of commitment and energy to market Africa like he marketed the Seychelles and double the continent’s arrival number within the next few years.

Alain St.Ange understands the role a positively-inclined media can play in helping shape a destination and subsequently created media alliances spanning the entire globe, with the Seychelles gaining awareness far beyond expectations and beyond an island destination, even with 115 islands and 220,000+ visitors in 2012, which might ordinarily be commanded.

Alain's passion for his home islands undoubtedly will translate into the same passion to get Africa a seat on the world tourism stage should he be elected, something many of his colleagues in Africa want to see happen.

When St.Ange was still the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, his brainchild was the Carnaval International de Victoria. The idea was to bring the world together to Africa. It was not just about the Seychelles, it was meant to be the carnival of the world. I had the privilege to attend all the carnivals, and I can attest here that Africa came together on this small island nation.

His dual destination/holiday partnerships with African mainland destinations, promoting both safaris as well as top-tier beach vacations on Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, and the other islands across the extent of the Indian Ocean, also brought him many admirers on the continent who appreciate how he is tuned into promoting not just his home islands but destinations well beyond their own shores.

The Vanilla Island cooperation of Indian Ocean islands from as far as La Reunion over Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, Comoros, and the Seychelles demonstrates that Alain St.Ange looks well beyond his own shores, a rare quality among professionals and more so politicians, a quality normally reserved for visionaries from the private sector.

Minister St.Ange is indeed a genuine visionary and thinks big, while not forgetting the small details that make up the framework of successful tourism marketing. Alain has well-thought-out, meaningful directions and ideas to bring Africa together, and his philosophy of friends of all, enemies of none, has gained him respect in all parts of the globe.

ETurboNews has proudly been a partner of the Seychelles to help convey this philosophy globally. With St.Ange elected as Africa's representative on the UNTWO, global tourism and Africa will benefit greatly.

I have personally known Minister St.Ange even before he was involved with the Seychelles Tourism Board. Way before he became involved with Seychelles’ tourism, Alain contributed to numerous articles from a wide variety of African destinations. He always was careful to unite Africa and has become a highly-regarded African tourism role model and leader.

It is my personal belief the Honorable Alain St.Ange will bring fresh and original African insights with a keen global vision to the UNWTO Executive Council.

On behalf of our global eTN publication, I fully support his nomination to join the UNWTO Executive Council.

Very best regards,
Thomas Steinmetz
Publisher

 

New Zealand & Seychelles Ministers discuss tourism

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Jul 18, 2013

The New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and MP for East Coast Bays, the Hon. Murray McCully, who is in Seychelles for the AIMS (Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Seas) sub-regional grouping meeting, made time to call on Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture. The New Zealand Minister was accompanied by Ambassador James Kember, the New Zealand Ambassador just accredited to Seychelles.

The two Ministers discussed the tourism development in Seychelles and also the moves to diversify the islands’ tourism source markets. On the marketing front they discussed their Tourism Board's presence at tourism trade fairs and the use of events to promote tourism through culture and people. Minister McCully said as he was leaving the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Offices at the national Cultural Center in Victoria that he would discuss the participation of New Zealand at the annual Carnaval International de Victoria that is staged in Seychelles the last weekend of April with his Minister responsible for Tourism.

"This annual carnival is very much a festival of color as it is an opportunity for countries, as they do in tourism trade fairs, to fly their flags to showcase their unique selling points but this time using culture and people as their key assets. This Indian Ocean Carnival remains the only carnival where the best and most known carnivals parade together followed by cultural troupes from the Community of Nations," Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles told the New Zealand Minister.

 

PLAN FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES

Seychelles tourism executives review first half of year

 

 

Photos from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Jul 17, 2013

Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, accompanied by the PS for Tourism, Anne Lafortune; CEO for the Tourism Board, Sherin Naiken; PS for Culture, Benjamine Rose; and the outgoing CEO of the Tourism Board, Elsia Grandcourt attended the mid-year general staff meeting.

The mid-year general staff meeting was the opportunity for the Minister and his senior officials to look back at the last six months on the happenings affecting Seychelles tourism and to list what he saw as challenges. He reminded all staff of the importance to be team players and to feel proud to be part of the industry that remains the pillar of the Seychelles economy.

"Tourism can open many doors and bring more to each and everyone involved, but the responsibility for success also lies with each team member of the Tourism Board. Being proactive in defending the industry, being well groomed, being team players, and wanting to part of the team instead of being in the position only for the month-to-month salary," Minister St.Ange said.

The Minister gave examples of comments received at the Information Offices on Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue, on incidents touching tourists and affecting their impression of Seychelles as a holiday destination, on events organized by the Tourism Board, etc.

Minister Alain St.Ange also took time to speak on the marketing of Seychelles and for the need to keep on being innovative in order for the islands to remain relevant as a tourism destination. The Minister was followed by the recently appointed Tourism Board CEO, Mrs. Sherin Naiken, who took the gathered team of the Tourism Board through her approach as the new CEO. Mrs. Naiken explained that she will continue to manage with an open-door policy as did her predecessor and expressed her desire for staff to remain united in order to deliver for Seychelles.

Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, the outgoing CEO of the Tourism Board, was thanked by Minister Alain St.Ange for her work and loyalty. "We wish you well in your new posting, and we know that you will fly our flag high wherever you are," Minister St.Ange said.

Mrs. Grandcourt also took the opportunity to address the meeting and she thanked the Minister, the management, and the whole team of the Tourism Board for their support during her three years on the Board. "I leave knowing we have done a lot together, but also I know that the Tourism Board has many a new challenge to face and to address," Mrs. Grandcourt said.

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

PHOTO: Minister St.Ange chairing the mid-year general staff meeting and the Minister standing with PS Anne Lafortune, outgoing CEO Elsia Grandcourt, CEO Sherin Naiken, and PS Benjamine Rose.

 

Seychelles Tourism Ministry welcomes academy student through open-door policy

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Jul 14, 2013

The Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange, accompanied by Mr. Flavien Joubert, the Principal of the Tourism Academy; Mrs. Sherin Naiken, the CEO of the Tourism Board; and Mrs. Anne Lafortune, the PS for Tourism and the Management Team at the Tourism Academy met with Tourism Academy student Brigitte Rose and her parents to discuss a concern that had been raised by the parents of the Spa Training Student.

"The parents of Brigitte Rose had called on me to discuss a point with regards to the training of their Brigitte. They raised interesting feedback which warranted a follow-up which resulted in the Ministry inviting the whole team responsible for the Tourism Academy to be present for a parent/student meeting. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture is managed with an open-door policy, and we value feedback from all those who have dealings with any department of our ministry. Today we heard both sides of the matter tabled and agreed on a way forward which hears the expectations of parents and students of our Tourism Academy as well as maintaining the academic discipline practiced at the Academy itself," said Minister St.Ange after the meeting.