The Tourism Legacy of
ALAIN ST.ANGE
WILDLIFE ADVENTURE FILM
World Heritage site in Seychelles goes 3D
Aldabra / Image via zegrahm.com
Jun 30, 2013
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Aldabra in the Seychelles will soon have a new 3D wildlife adventure film. It is for this reason that the island's founding President, Sir James Mancham, has accepted the invitation of the producers of the 3D wildlife adventure feature of Aldabra to visit Prague on July 3 and 4 to meet with Director Steve Lichtag and co-author Michael Havas.
This will be the first opportunity for Sir James Mancham to meet the film Producers, Mr. Petr Keller and Mr. Robert Schneider and to view the work in progress on the film which is due to be released internationally this autumn (Europe time).
Sir James will spend one day as guest of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and will also visit Prague Zoo which was recently damaged by extensive flooding.
Sir James Mancham is interested to see how the 11 giant tortoises from Aldabra are faring after the flood.
Seychelles welcomes Sri Lankan President on historic visit
Jun 29, 2013
The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. James Alix Michel, has warmly welcomed the arrival of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Seychelles.
At the invitation of President Michel, President Rajapaksa will be undertaking the historic state visit to Seychelles from June 29 to July 1.
“We welcome President Mahinda Rajpaksa for his first state visit to Seychelles; it is a great honor and sign of our special friendship. Since my visit to Sri Lanka last year, we have stepped up our bilateral cooperation and exchanges, particularly in education, health, fisheries, and economic sectors. During this visit, we hope to extend our partnership and build on the excellent foundations we have established,” said President Michel.
President Rajapaksa’s program will include a call on President Michel at State House, bilateral discussions with the Cabinet of Ministers, signings of key MOUs, an address to an Extra Ordinary Session of the National Assembly, a Business Forum, a special tree planting ceremony at the Barbarons Biodiversity Centre, as well as a visit to Praslin and the Valee de Mai.
“Sri Lanka is a close friend of Seychelles, with many areas of close cooperation. This important visit will provide us with an added opportunity to build on this foundation and cement our ties as two Indian Ocean states with common goals of development and prosperity for our peoples,” said the Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam.
The arrival ceremony held this afternoon at Seychelles International Airport included a high-level greeting party of the Vice President, Ministers, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chief of Defense Forces, the Chief Justice, and the President of the Court of Appeal, among other key dignitaries. Representatives of the local Sri Lankan community were also present to welcome the delegation.
The Sri Lankan President is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes the Minister for External Affairs, the Minister for Sports, the Minister for Public Relations and Public Affairs, and Members of Parliament, among other high-level staff.
A FRIEND WITH ALL AND ENEMIES WITH NONE MEANS RECORD INCREASE IN CHINESE TOURISM
Chinese tourist visas no longer necessary
BY DR.WOLFGANG H. THOME AND JUERGEN T. STEINMETZ, ETN | JUN 29, 2013
(eTN) - The People's Republic of China got the message of a friend with all and enemies with none. The People's Republic eliminated visas for tourists from this small country and is sending their high-spending tourists in rapid and increasing numbers in return.
Most visitors - like Americans, Europeans, South Africans, or Australians - to China have to go through lengthy and expensive visa applications. It's a mutually difficult process, taking the joy out of tourism both ways.
Effective June 26, Seychellois citizens, who want to visit China, including Hong Kong, where Air Seychelles flies to three times a week, may enter China on a 30-day visitor pass, at no cost, and with no hassles on arrival.
The deal was signed earlier in the year and makes the Seychelles the first and presently only African country to have such an arrangement in place.
The Seychelles has for long opened the doors of the archipelago to visitors from abroad without the need for any visa, for any nationality for that matter, a factor which has significantly contributed to sharply-rising visitor numbers from China, up 67 percent this year compared to 2012 already, or from countries of the former Soviet bloc, India, and in fact from across Africa, too.
All that is required to enter the archipelago is a return ticket, a confirmed hotel booking, and sufficient funds for upkeep, or in the case of visitors from Africa a Yellow Fever innoculation certificate when coming from areas of prevalence.
While most countries go by the often-outdated method of reciprocity, and use visa fees payable on arrival or in advance of travel as a source of supplementing their national budget, they in fact make travel to their countries difficult, often keeping visitors away, who opt understandably for places to visit where less stringent rules apply.
Perhaps it is time, in view of this development, for other countries to re-examine their own visa policies, especially those countries hustling for more visitors while slapping them with an entry fee on arrival. Seychelles, truly is Another World.
Happy 4th of July America, and Happy Independence Day Seychelles!
NEW TOURISM APPOINTMENTS AND CHANGES
Seychelles Tourism Board CEO resigns
L to R: Elsia Grandcourt steps down and Sherin Naiken steps in
BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN CORRESPONDENT, AFRICA | JUN 28, 2013
(eTN) - A press release yesterday late afternoon from the Office of Seychelles President James Alix Michel, confirmed that the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, will retire from STB on June 30 of this year. Elsia, who served as CEO since March 1 of last year, previously served as Deputy CEO under Alain St.Ange, before taking over as Chief Executive when Mr. St.Ange was appointed as Minister of Tourism and Culture.
The relevant part of the statement from the Office of the President in Mahe reads as follows:
“Following the resignation of Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt from the post of CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, the President has appointed Ms. Sherin Naiken, formerly Principal Secretary for Tourism, as the new CEO of STB. Mrs. Grandcourt has been nominated for a high-level post in an international organization.”
The announcement was part of a more comprehensive statement of new appointments and changes, which included the creation of a Department of Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation, which President Michel had mentioned in his recent State of the Nation address.
For now it is a fond farewell to Elsia Grandcourt, with whom this correspondent worked closely over the past years in her respective capacities and a warm welcome to Sherin Naiken, who will take charge on July 1. Visit www.seychelles.travel for more information on the destination and in particular of the upcoming key annual calendar of events festivals, the La Digue-based “Festival of Assumption” and the “Festival of the Sea – SUBIOS” in November. Seychelles, truly is “Another World.”
INDIAN OCEAN VANILLA ISLANDS
Seychelles Carnival continues to attract the media
Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 27, 2013
The annual Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Carnival that is staged in the Seychelles is today regarded as a success story that is increasing visibility of the Indian Ocean region and in so doing for Seychelles. The Travel Video news of Canada has just released their article based on the Hong Kong report on the Seychelles carnival with a full-color picture of the Brazilian delegation parading in the carnival in Seychelles.
The Hong Kong publication had a picture of the Brazilian delegation as the picture on its front cover with another full-page with four pictures of the Brazilians, the Notting Hill Carnival of the UK, and two Seychelles delegations parading in the 2013 carnival on an inside page.
Over and above, the magazine also carts four pages about holidaying in Seychelles and playing golf at the Constance Lemuria Resort of Praslin. “What we are seeing is exactly why we are hosting an annual carnival in Seychelles. We wanted to get the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands more known, as we wanted Seychelles seen in the four corners of the world. The large bank of international press who descend on the Seychelles continues to position the Indian Ocean islands as a tourism region with a difference as they write about the beautiful Seychelles and the unique region’s ‘carnival of carnivals’ that we stage in Seychelles. The press covering the 2013 carnival also cover the work by the co-hosts of the 2013 carnival (Seychelles, Reunion Island, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe) to be united to promote the Indian Ocean region and their twin-center holiday approach with Africa,” Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, said.
Press from the world over continues to praise the Seychelles for successfully organizing a carnival that now appears on the international list of carnivals.
ENSURING AIR SERVICES CONTINUITY
Seychelles & Hong Kong sign air service agreement
Image via nation.sc
Jun 27, 2013
Seychelles and Hong-Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR) have officially signed an air service agreement (ASA).
This event, which took place yesterday in Hong Kong, follows the conclusion of negotiations between the two countries on October 30, 2012 which led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding and initialing of the ASA text with the aim of easing air services operations launched by Air Seychelles on March 24, 2013 and other developments to come.
The ASA was signed by the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, Pierre Laporte (who is representing the Minister responsible for Transport) and the Secretary of Transport and Housing in the government of HKSAR, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung.
Also present for the ceremony were Cramer Ball, Chief Executive of Air Seychelles; Gilbert Faure, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority; Elsia Grandcourt, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board; Rupert Simeon, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Investment Board; Seychelles’ Resident Ambassador in China, Philippe Le Gall; and Alan Renaud, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at Air Seychelles.
The signing of the legal framework ensures full commitment of both parties with regard to the comprehensive requirement for the safe, secure commercial operations on air services.
The arrangement will ensure the continuity and growth of air services operations by Air Seychelles with the aim of facilitating the development potential of tourism, trade, as well as investment between the two countries.
Airlines of Hong Kong, such as Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong airlines, have the same privilege to operate services between the two countries.
The signing of this agreement coincides with Seychelles’ first investment forum in Hong Kong.
SEYCHELLES TOURISM
Seychelles experiences 67 percent hike in Chinese visitors
Mr. Jean Luc Lai Lam / Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 26, 2013
With the introduction of three weekly flights by Air Seychelles to Hong Kong this year, China is set to become an increasingly important secondary tourism market for Seychelles.
This is the view expressed by Seychellois Jean-Luc Lai-Lam, the Seychelles Marketing Manager for China, at last week's mid-year review of tourism performances, held at Le Meridien Babarons Hotel in Seychelles.
By the second week of June 2013, a hike of 67% in Chinese visitors had arrived in the Seychelles archipelago, over the same period last year.
According to Mr. Lai Lam, though the Maldives is still the beach destination receiving the lion's share of Chinese visitors, mainly because it is nearer to the Asian mainland, Seychelles is becoming increasingly well-known on the Chinese market, notably Hong Kong and Beijing.
Mr. Lai Lam noted the Seychelles Tourism Board’s (STB) recent participation in the ITE Tourism Fair in Hong Kong and the Beijing International Expo as important promotional events, and the recent production of a promotional video in Chinese as an important marketing tool.
Mr. Lai Lam also said that since this year Seychelles has received some 40 pages of coverage in the Chinese media, including one cover story.
He said in 2013, the number of Chinese vacationers traveling abroad, is expected to increase to 100 million from 83 million last year and as such, the Chinese are overtaking the USA and Germany as market sources for world tourism. The average spending per Chinese vacationer is US$3,000.
Mr. Lai Lam confirmed that 80% of Chinese nationals traveling abroad, seek information prior to traveling.
It was also emphasized at the 2013 mid-year review that though Chinese holidaymakers are willing to try foreign cuisine, they also regard the availability of their own culinary dishes as important.
US STATE DEPARTMENT LISTS SEYCHELLES ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING LIST
Seychelles Human Trafficking Committee Refutes US State Department Report
Jun 26, 2013
The Seychelles Committee on Trafficking in Persons have today issued a statement in response to the US State Department's 2013 Report on Trafficking in Persons in which Seychelles is featured and which was rejected by the Government last week, as being poor in its analysis and based on anecdotal evidence.
The Committee, which consisted of representatives from Social Development, Employment, Immigration, Police, Office of the Attorney General, Seychelles Civil Aviation - as well as NGO’s, such as WASO and the NCC and other relevant sectors, described the report as a distortion of the reality on the ground:
“The Committee on Trafficking in Persons (TIP Committee) denounces the narrative of Seychelles in the 2013 report and refers to it as a distortion of the actual situation and reality in the country. A plethora of inaccuracies and misrepresentations have been identified throughout the narrative, which have belittled the efforts being made on the ground to address the problems of trafficking in its local context.”
In their statement, the Committee urged the US State Department to review and address the shortcomings in their reports that would provide for a more accurate account and better help the fight against human trafficking across the globe.
“Whilst aware that the US State Department’s report is aimed at increasing the global efforts to combat trafficking in persons, we do not believe that reporting on uncorroborated and unsubstantiated claims is an appropriate avenue by which this can be achieved. We question the methodology and veracity of the report, and are concerned about the logic and transparency behind the rating system…. We strongly recommend that the US State Department seeks to improve its methodology and develop greater consistency and accuracy in the information reported in order to produce reports that can be used as a basis to assess progress. “
The Committee has said that they have been working with partners to enact their plans, which includes their work with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on drafting new legislation on human trafficking and developing a National Action Plan on trafficking.
It may be recalled that the Seychelles Government also denounced the 2012 report as being grossly distorted. In an attempt to address issues on the ground and concerns with the US State Department reporting style, the newly convened Committee met with Mr David Campbell, the Political Officer from the US Embassy in Port Louis, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in October 2012. The discussions centred on addressing these concerns and discussing the Action Plans intended to address local issues relating to human trafficking.
For the past two consecutive years, Seychelles has been placed on ‘Tier 2 Watch List’ in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Person’s Annual Report. The Committee on Trafficking in Persons (TIP Committee) denounces the narrative of Seychelles in the 2013 report and refers to it as a distortion of the actual situation and reality in the country. A plethora of inaccuracies and misrepresentations have been identified throughout the narrative, which have belittled the efforts being made on the ground to address the problems of trafficking in its local context. The TIP Committee is thereforeduty-bound to address and refute the unsubstantiated generalizations throughout the narrative.
The report states that child prostitution is commonplace in Seychelles. This is an uncorroborated claim based on anecdotal evidence, which is startling to the Seychellois people given the extensive framework in place for the protection and safeguarding of the rights of children and its level of enforcement. In the period covered by the narrative, there have been no reported cases of child prostitution by victims, concerned citizens or related agencies in Seychelles. Nonetheless, the Social Affairs Department has taken a proactive approach and has been working closely with its partners on issues that have involved minors in sexual activities.
Another perturbing allegation made by the narrative refers to the status of prostitution in Seychelles. The government has acknowledged the occurrence of prostitution, and there have been numerous initiatives both by governmental departments and civil society organisations to provide social support to the vulnerable individuals, and to sensitize the greater public on the dangers that the activity poses. It has been recognised that drugs have played a corollary role on the rise of such activities in the country, and the agencies concerned have taken concrete steps to provide necessary services to drug addicts to protect them from potential sexual exploitation.
Also, featured in the narrative is the case of five Ukrainian women who were allegedly victims of trafficking in Seychelles. Despite full cooperation of the concerned Seychellois agencies to the Ukrainian authorities, and the willingness of the Government to investigate the claim, the lack of official information on the identity of the concerned individuals has resulted in the local investigation being halted.
Furthermore, the TIP Committee is disappointed to note that whilst the narrative discusses the sporadic cases where migrant workers have faced difficult conditions, it ignores the substantial efforts made by the stakeholders in the past year to address such cases when reported and to prevent future occurrences of the same. This includes the reinforcement of the Compliance Division of the Labour Department, which conducts inspections and monitors working conditions of migrant workers. More scrutiny has also been applied in the recruitment process of migrant workers (i.e. issuance of Gainful Occupation Permits and attestation of contracts). The Labour Department has also been empowered to fast track claims related to exploitation of migrant workers and this has reduced the necessity of higher court involvement through active mediation. It is also worth noting that the necessary legal actions were taken against the companies who were involved in the exploitation migrant workers.
Whilst aware that the US State Department’s report is aimed at increasing the global efforts to combat trafficking in persons, we do not believe that reporting on uncorroborated, unsubstantiated and inaccurate claims is an appropriate avenue by which this can be achieved. We question the methodology and veracity of the report, and are concerned about the logic and transparency behind the rating system. Despite the efforts being made by the authorities to provide all requested factual information to render the report accurate and reflective of the reality of our islands, the TIP Committee questions the motives behind the selection of information featured in the report. We strongly recommend that the US State Department seeks to improve its methodology and develop greater consistency and accuracy in the information reported in order to produce reports that can be used as a basis to assess progress.
In recognition of the shortcomings that must be urgently addressed to improve the gaps in counter measures related to human trafficking, we have embarked on a series of activities and programmes nationally. The TIP Committee, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is drafting legislation on human trafficking, as well as developing a National Action Plan to coordinate local efforts. Through a project under the International Organisation of Migration, workshops for capacity building and awareness raising activities are also being planned for the second half of 2013.
The TIP Committee would like to thank you for taking the time to convey our views on this matter to the relevant authority. We remain committed to the fight against trafficking in persons, and protecting the vulnerable victims of this heinous crime. We reiterate that as long as the discussion on eradicating human trafficking is based on random anecdotes and unsubstantiated claims, the efforts and progress made on this issue will remain meaningless.
SEYCHELLOIS APPOINTED
Seychelles names new UK and Ireland Manager
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 25, 2013
The Seychelles Tourism Board has the pleasure to announce the appointment of Ms. Tinaz Wadia as the new Manager for their UK and Ireland Office, with immediate effect.
MS. Wadia is a Seychelloise who has been involved in Seychelles tourism for over 19 years with considerable experience with various companies in the destination.
Prior to her appointment with the Seychelles Tourism Board, Ms. Wadia was the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Banyan Tree Seychelles.
Speaking about the appointment today, Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board, said: “We are excited to have Tinaz Wadia on board with us, and I am confident that with her strong background and leadership experience, she will be able to drive the office in UK towards achieving greater results and boost promotion efforts on that market.”
Commenting on her new position, Ms. Wadia stated that she was “excited to take on a new challenge with the Seychelles Tourism Board in the UK and looks forward to joining the team in an effort to increase visitor arrivals from the UK & Ireland with the support of our local and overseas partners.”
Ms. Wadia joins the team in the UK comprised of Ms. Maria Morel and Ms. Eloise Vidot as Marketing Executives, and Mrs. Lena Hoareau as PR and News Bureau Manager.
SECHELLES TOURISM
Seychelles taps new markets in Africa
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 24, 2013
The wide reach of South African Airways (SAA) and Ethiopian Airlines is being used to tap new markets in Africa, according to David Germain, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Director for Africa & the Americas.
Speaking at the Seychelles Tourism Board 's Mid-year Review of market performances and to assess promotional efforts last Wednesday, June 19, at the Le Meridien Barbarons Beach Hotel in the presence of Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St.Ange and the Seychelles Tourism Board CEO, Elsia Grandcourt, Mr. Germain said that the African market looks promising.
He noted that from January to June 2013, Seychelles received a 13% hike on the corresponding period last year in visitor arrival figures from South Africa. Mr. Germain went on to say that the Seychelles Tourism Board is projecting to double visitors from the South African market by December 2013.
Mr. Germain said that the Seychelles Tourism Board has selected four new African markets for special attention: Nigeria, Angola, Botswana, and Namibia, and said that the wide reach of South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, which both have several weekly flights to Seychelles, will be particularly helpful in tapping these markets.
He noted that populations for all those countries are opting for vacations outside the continent. Mr. Germain also noted that the Indaba Exhibition in May this year was particularly beneficial for Seychelles with the participation of many African and American operators.
M.r David Germain said that the Seychelles Tourism Board's marketing strategy with its increased PR activities, is paying off in terms of more visibility for Seychelles. He said Seychelles has been featured on some TV channels, and 73 newspaper articles. More press and media visits to Seychelles are planned. Mr. Germain said this year, some road shows are planned to target special markets such as Port Elizabeth and East London.
At this point, Minister St.Ange said his South African counterpart is due in Seychelles in August, accompanied by a high-level delegation and four TV channels. He said this will constitute a golden opportunity not only to showcase Seychelles, but to see how their local agents can also meet the South African tour operators who are selling Seychelles.
Mr. Germain also said that the average South African visitor is budget conscious, with the average considering any package (include air fares) above 12,000 to 15,000 rands as too expensive.
On South America, Mr. Germain said the Seychelles' share market is still small, especially coming from Brazil where the Seychelles Tourism Board appointed tourism representation in the Brazilian economic powerhouse of Sao Paolo last April. He added that the market has strong potential and South African Airways can help tap that with its daily flights to the Brazilian cities, adding that the Tourism Board is also targeting Argentina, Chile, and eventually Paraguay.
Mr. Germain said that the recent codesharing agreement concluded between Air Seychelles and SAA can mean easy access to their islands.
On North America, Mr. Germain said that four airlines: SAA, Ethiopian, Emirates, and Etihad, which fly to US cities virtually every day, mean easy connections to Seychelles, which can be reached in less than 24 hours.
He noted that the North American market to date has grown by 6% to 2,193 visitors.
Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .
PHOTO: David Germain, Director of Marketing for Africa the Americas and Middle East, giving an overview of the market’s performance at Seychelles Tourism Board Mid-year Review at Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel / Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
INDIAN OCEAN EVENTS
Seychelles carnival increases tourism attention
Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 23, 2013
The annual Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Carnival that is staged in the Seychelles is today regarded as a success story that is increasing visibility of the Indian Ocean region and in so doing for Seychelles. A Hong Kong tourism magazine has just released a full-color picture of the Brazilian delegation parading in the carnival in Seychelles as the picture on its front cover with another full-page with four pictures of the Brazilians, the Notting Hill Carnival of the UK, and two Seychelles delegations parading in the 2013 carnival on an inside page.
Over and above, the magazine also carts four pages about holidaying in Seychelles and playing golf at the Constance Lemuria Resort of Praslin. "What we are seeing is exactly why we are hosting an annual carnival in Seychelles. We wanted to get the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands more known, as we wanted Seychelles seen in the four corners of the world. The large bank of international press who descend on the Seychelles continues to position the Indian Ocean islands as a tourism region with a difference as they write about the beautiful Seychelles and the unique region’s ‘carnival of carnivals’ that we stage in Seychelles. The press covering the 2013 carnival also cover the work by the co-hosts of the 2013 carnival (Seychelles, Reunion Island, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe) to be united to promote the Indian Ocean region and their twin-center holiday approach with Africa,” Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, said.
Press from the world over continues to praise the Seychelles for successfully organizing a carnival that now appears on the international list of carnivals.
SEYCHELLES TOURISM
European countries still main tourism source for Seychelles
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 21, 2013
Despite the economic recession hitting many European countries, the "Old Continent" is still Seychelles' main market source, supplying 72,436 visitors up to the second week of June 2013, or a 12% increase on the corresponding period last year.
This was announced by Ms. Bernadette Willemin, Director of Marketing for Europe, in her presentation at Seychelles Tourism Board’s (STB) Mid-year Review at Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel.
She noted that though there are presently no direct flights from France, that the country is still in the “pole position" as the main provider of tourists - with 18,547 to date, 16% up on last year. Germany, which is served by a weekly direct flight operated by Condor is secon, with 14,751 visitors. and Italy is third with 8,564 with a drop of 3% on last year.
Ms. Willemin said that though there is a drop from Italy, one of Europe's countries worst hit by economic recession, the fact that it’s only a small percentage, shows that a lot of work has been done by the Seychelles team and tour operators in Italy. "Most of our competing destinations are feeling the pinch harder than us," she said
From the UK, though visitor arrivals are just about 5,000 by mid-June, this is still an increase of 16%. Ms. Willemin announced the appointment of young Tinaz Wadia, presently at the Seychelles Tourism Board Mid-year Review - as the STO UK Manager who will drive the team presently based at the UK office.
The Russian market has also grown by 4% to reach 7,833 visitors, taking the fourth position after Italy.
Ms. Willemin said that despite the ongoing recession in Europe, she has noted some positive aspects, which are undoubtedly contributing to continued growth from Europe, noting that the objective is to attract 157,000 European tourists by the end of the year.
On a positive note, she mentioned increased exposure brought about by press trips to Seychelles, TV interviews, media meetings, and many articles, including some cover stories in several European travel publications.
She also said that MICE (Meetings, Incentives travel, Conference and Events) is one important market segment which STB intends to tap from Europe, especially during the traditionally low seasons.
Ms. Willemin also said there is a stronger bonding with foreign partners, notably tour operators, including 250 new contacts. She noted that some recent developments in airline dynamics also appear favorable to Seychelles. One is the recent launch of Etihad flights to Amsterdam and another is Emirates flying to Stockholm, both of which augur well for Seychelles' marketing drives in Northern Europe, spared from recession so far.
Ms. Willemin, however, deplored the tendency by most European airports to hike their taxes, which now vary between 300 and 500 euros, a factor which she said impacts negatively on travel to long-haul destinations, such as Seychelles.
Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .
PHOTO: Bernadette Willemin, Director of Marketing for Europe, in her presentation at the Seychelles Tourism Board Mid-year Review
TOURISM BOARD APPOINTS MUMBAI-BASED CONSULTANT
Seychelles looks forward to welcoming tourists from India
Image via seychelles.travel
Jun 20, 2013
The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has appointed Mumbai-based Blue Square Consultants (BSC) as its official representative in India with immediate effect. BSC will conceptualize, implement, and promote marketing strategies for Seychelles in India. BSC is one of the leading representation companies in India.
Commenting on the appointment, Elsia Grandcourt, Chief Executive Officer, Seychelles Tourism Board, said: “India is turning into a strong outbound market in the world and is also an emerging source market for us. We are excited to enter this dynamic market and look forward to welcoming Indians to our country.” She further added, “With more visibility in the Indian market, we are confident that Seychelles will be considered as an exotic destination to travel to as Indians continue to look for new exciting destinations.”
Lubaina Sheerazi, Head of Business Development, Blue Square Consultants, stated: “We are very thrilled to represent Seychelles in the Indian market. With visa on arrival for Indians, we foresee Seychelles as a destination that appeals to newlyweds, experiential, luxury, and adventure-seeking travelers.” Disclosing her marketing plans, she added: “Our plans in India this year will be predominantly to get the trade allied and on board through road shows, participating in trade fairs/exhibitions and conducting FAMs for travel trade and media to experience the destination first hand. We are confident of building a strong presence for Seychelles in the Indian market.”
Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, said India remains a target market for the Seychelles tourism industry. "We have a long relationship with India. Before our airport was officially opened in 1972, it was the B.I. Shipping Lines of India that provided us with our regular service to the outside world. India knows Seychelles, and the Indian travelers know that Seychelles remains their new destination. We can only but reassure would-be holiday-makers from India that in Seychelles they will feel at home. Our very own Indian community is part and parcel of us, and our food today has many an influence from India," Minister St.Ange said.
Seychelles has 115 breathtakingly beautiful islands and enjoys a year-long warm, tropical climate. Seychelles is different from other holiday destinations as its gorgeous islands have distinct geography and character and one can easily island hop in Seychelles. The country also houses two UNESCO World Heritage sites, world-class hotels and resorts, golf courses including an award-winning golf course, and has a distinct mouth-watering cuisine.
HONG KONG MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Seychelles drives marketing onto the green with Golf Traveler magazine
Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 19, 2013
Since the Seychelles Tourism Board has started its marketing campaign in Hong Kong it has always received the great support of James Au, journalist, editor and film distributor, who has had his writings and photographs published in different media of Hong Kong and China, including Capital, CEO Monthly, HK Economic Journal Monthly, and Fortune Makers magazine.
After having gone twice to the Seychelles this year, with his first trip coinciding with the well-established Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria 2013 and second trip to mark the official launch flight of Air Seychelles into Hong Kong, James has straight away put his experience in an editorial piece in Golf Traveler magazine Hong Kong. The front page cover reminisces about the carnival float parade showcasing participants from the Brazilian dancers group.
His articles covers details of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria, the only carnival that invites the community of nations to come and showcase their culture in a series of 3-day activities depicting the carnival theme, the "Melting Pot of Cultures.” James has then illustrated his experience of 2 niche activities common with the Asian market clientele and of which he is a keen enthusiast, and that is the wonders of the underwater world of Seychelles through diving and his golfing experience.
There is much more to discover, experience, and write about when it comes to the Seychelles experience, be it the diversity of the islands through island hopping trips to the coraline islands and granitic islands; the rich melting pot of culture; the population mix; the flora and fauna; the 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites; the unique attributes; the niche activities such as diving, sailing, fishing, wellness and spa, honeymoon, and lots more. Seychelles is truly another world, and seen through the eyes of those who have experienced it, is a true testimony of what the destination has to offer.
James Au is specialized in taking photos for golf courses. During the past 8 years, he has visited more than 300 golf courses all over the world. His photos have been used by different Asia media, tourism organizations, airlines, travel companies, multinational companies, and websites.
SEYCHELLES AND ABU DHABI ESTABLISH FIRST WIND FARM IN PORT VICTORIA
Island states can lead in developing renewable energy
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 18, 2013
The Port Victoria wind farm was officially inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. James Michel; H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State; and CEO of Masdar and Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet this morning at Ile du Port. The Masdar Wind Energy Project was funded by the United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi government and was managed under the Abu Dhabi Fund.
Also present to witness the inauguration was the Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Danny Faure; Secretary General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, among other dignitaries.
President Michel said that the project is an example to show that island states can take the lead in developing renewable energy and ensuring the mitigation of climate change as well as economically the expenditure of importing fuel for Seychelles.
“The inauguration of the Port Victoria wind farm showcases the excellent relations that exist between Abu Dhabi and Seychelles. It is a concrete example of what two countries that share common ideas, when they work together, they can bring about positive results. This project will launch Seychelles into the 21st century as far as renewable energy is concerned, because as I have always said in the past, we have to move forward into the future and the future is renewable energy. The future is where we can harness the forces of nature to be able to give us the energy that we need instead of using other energy resources that will have an effect on climate change,” President Michel said while being interviewed by local and international press after touring the turbines and a small exhibition set up for this occasion.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber expressed his satisfaction and joint Seychelles in celebrating this auspicious moment of success. One that he said reflects Seychelles’ long-term commitment and determination to use renewable energy. “Renewable energy will help the Seychelles insulate itself from volatile fuel prices support its economic growth and strengthen its energy infrastructure. Today wind energy is supplying 8 percent of Mahe Island’s grid capacity and powering more than 2,100 homes with sustainable, clean energy. I can say with confidence that this project is delivering tremendous impact. The commitment by the Seychelles government to integrate renewable energy … is a testament to the country’s ability to adapt to a changing global economy,” said Dr. Al Jaber in his remarks.
For the successful completion of the 6 MW wind farm project found both on Ile du Port and Ile de Romainville, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has worked in closed collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Public Utilities Corporation, and the Seychelles Energy Commission.
“The world today needs an energy transformation, and it has to happen now, today at the eve of the 21st century. The 8 wind turbines entrenches the beginning of a turning point in Seychelles development. Its innovation lies not only in its form and shape, but also in its aeronautically-designed blades, able to sniff even the weakest breezes. They are a new addition to our landscape, beautiful structures in their own right. As magnificent pieces of engineering, their beauty also resonates very well with our sustainable development vision. As they stand proudly on our East Coast, we want to tell the world that even the smallest of nations can engage in this energy transformation,” said Professor Payet in his speech.
Following the inauguration of the Victoria Wind farm, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber paid a courtesy call on President James Michel in the afternoon at State House. They discussed lengthily the strong bilateral cooperation and true friendship that exists between Seychelles and UAE, possibilities for diversification of the energy portfolio, and expanding the relationship between the two countries as well as the blue economy concept.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT OPENING OF NEW SUPREME COURT
Former Seychelles President delivers address celebrating national 20th anniversary
Former Seychelles President Sir James Mancham / Image via blogspot.com
Jun 17, 2013
Today Seychelles celebrates its 20th anniversary of the introduction of the 3rd constitution of the Republic which was established on June 29, 1976 with Sir Mancham as its founding President. Appropriately, Sir Mancham delivered the keynote address on the occasion of the opening of the new Supreme Court of Seychelles and in celebration of the country’s anniversary.
Address of Sir James R. Mancham
Mr. Chairman, Honorable Judges who are honoring us with their presence today, Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of the National Assembly, my learned friends, ladies and gentlemen:
Today I have been asked to speak on the role of the judiciary in constitutional governance from 1993 to 2013 and to make a valuation of the performance of the judiciary and a prognosis of the future. No doubt we cannot evaluate the progress of the last 20 years before taking into account what was the situation before.
Indeed Seychelles within the short period of its existence as an independent nation has known 3 different constitutions. But before the introductions of the 3 constitutions Seychelles was ruled as a British Colony. I believe it is pertinent in analyzing the history of justice in Seychelles to know what the situation was like in colonial times. How was justice administered in those care free days of the early 60s - it is, of course, during this period that after being called to the bar of the honorable society of the Middle Temple in London I returned to Seychelles to practice as a barrister and attorney-at-law before the magistrates and supreme court of Seychelles. How was justice administered under the coconut palms in those carefree days of the early 60s?
Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, in 1983 the British publisher Methuen of London published the first edition of my book entitled “Paradise Raped.” Perhaps today I should borrow the lines I wrote concerning certain experiences I went through at that time. I beg to quote from the book.
The welcome home party was a typically Seychelles affair. It went on and on. At one point it seemed that the whole island had turned up. Day lurched into night and blearily back into day and it was a decidedly weary young lawyer who presented himself before the Chief Justice Sir Nicholas Patrick France Bonnetard, QC, to take his place at the Seychelles Bar. With my London wig and gown and my certificate I was well set up to become a respected member of the community. If, as my father suggested, I could forget about politics, then my secure and comfortable existence was guaranteed because legal practice was lucrative. There was no separate profession of barrister and solicitor and only a handful of us to represent an assortment of clients in their encounters with the law. Nor were there any real estate agents, and we attorneys tended to fill the gap, not altogether ethically but often quite profitably.
When acting as an estate agent in property deals, a lawyer took on the guise of “legal adviser” and usually received 5 percent of an agreed price and 50 percent of any additional amount which he managed to obtain. Even before the airport and tourism sent land values soaring, and town planning cast its shadow over the scene, there was an active market in real estate offered for sale by members of the Seychellois landowning families who wished to emigrate, often to Australia. One such deal concerned Cousine, a beautiful little island, which, with its neighbor Cousin, later a bird sanctuary, lies close to Praslin, about twenty miles from Victoria.
A young Italian man had been living an idyllic existence there with a Seychellois woman, but the idyll has been shattered by the return of the lady’s husband, a merchant seaman. The husband demanded moral damages from him for seducing his wife and the Italian settled out of court, handing over this boat, which was worth some £5,000. He returned broken-hearted to Rome while the happy husband sold the boat and went off to Australia with this faithless wife. I thought that I had seen the last of the Italian, but six months later he cabled me saying that he wanted to buy Cousine. The owner was willing to sell for 100,000 rupees and agreed on the usual terms with me. I cabled back saying that the Italian could have the island for 135,000 rupees and the young man accepted.
Since I was heading for London I arranged to stop off in Rome to hand over the title deeds.
It was a changed man who met me at Leonardo da Vinci airport. Dressed in typical dolce vita style, with Gucci boots and Valentino tie, he drove me into the city in his smart Maserati, and on the way he explained that he had gone to Seychelles originally to nurse a broken heart after quarrelling with and parting from his wife. Since returning to Rome he had fallen madly in love with an Italian blonde and wanted to marry her and take her back to Cousine as soon as he could arrange his divorce with the Vatican.
Money was no problem. His father was a wealthy stamp dealer and when I visited his offices I was shown a stamp worth £15,000. It made me think what a crazy world we live in. There was a scrap of printed paper valued at nearly twice the price which the young man had paid for a hundred acres of unique, unspoilt, natural beauty.
But the price went up later on. The Italian sold the island £50,000 to a group of German industrialists, who just before the coup refused £400,000 for it.
Court work was monotonous in one way – we always appeared before the same judge or magistrates – but stimulating in others, because of the variety of cases and the large crowd of interested or idle onlookers who packed the court each day and later used what they had heard and frequently misunderstood to fuel the fires of gossip throughout the islands. With the temperature in the eighties and humidity to match, we sweltered in our black gowns and white wigs to uphold the dignity of justice.
Most of the cases were larceny, petty and grand. One morning a washerwoman turned up asking me to represent her husband, who had been charged with stealing the safe of a Chinese merchant. The safe had contained 30,000 rupees.
“I’ll pay you anything,” she said, “if you can get him out of this mess.” To prove her point she plunged her hand down the front of her dress and drew from an enormous bosom a wad of notes that would have choked a horse. I counted out 5,000 rupees. There was no doubt where the money had come from. The husband was unemployed and she earned a pittance. However, I took the case, pocketed the fee and tried by best. I lost. My client got three years, which was not bad since the money was never recovered.
In another criminal case a certain Mr. Joseph, who owned cinnamon bushes capable of producing about a ton of bark annually, was found in possession of twenty-five tons of it, packed in gunny bags and covered with coconut leaves. He was consequently charged with stealing or receiving the commodity, which had rocketed in value because the Vietnam War had stopped that source of supply and cinnamon is an essential ingredient of both Coca and Pepsi Cola.
Two days earlier a man had been sentenced to six months imprisonment for a similar offence, and Mr. Joseph was a very worried man.
“Sir,” he said, handing me a brand new Barclays Bank savings book, “I will pay whatever fees you ask.”
I looked at the book. Mr. Joseph had opened the account two days earlier with a deposit of Rs50,000, somewhat out of proportion to his monthly wage of Rs 800 as a carpenter.
I said that my fee would be Rs7,000. “Mr. Mancham,” he replied, “I’ll pay you Rs15,000 but please get me out of this mess.”
As sometimes happened, the police evidence was muddled and contradictory, one witness saying that Mr. Joseph had denied knowledge of the cinnamon and the other that he had claimed it as his own property. I managed to convince the magistrate that my client had no case to answer, and he not only agreed but ordered that the cinnamon be returned to him.
That night Mr. Joseph arrived at my house in a lorry. “Sir,” he said, I’ve brought you half of the bark. I feel you deserve it.”
As you may note there was certainly a sense of laissez-faire and provincialism at that time but there was certainly little malice in the atmosphere, certainly little sense of conspiracy around and no political interference.
Certainly, when we became an independent nation on June 29, 1976 we expected our future to be guided by a constitution characterized by the concept of separation of powers – the executive under the leadership of a President, the legislative under the leadership of a speaker and the judiciary under the leadership of a Chief Justice.
But less than a year later the Nation faced the unconstitutional coup d’état of 5th of June 1977. First we saw the establishment of a dictatorship and the imposition of a One-Party State structure in the country. Under this structure the first to suffer was the rule of law. We saw a situation of arrest by Presidential decree, unlawful detention, compulsory acquisition of properties, military playing role of the police, creation of ‘guard baton’ and the unlawful dismissal of high ranking civil servants. It is interesting to note that whilst the death penalty was on the statue book of the colonial period until 1966 there were in fact practically very little executions during the many years of colonialism. The last execution was in 1948.
In contrast whilst there was no death penalty in the constitution of the 2nd Republic, an alarming number of people were extra-judicially targeted and executed whilst some others were made to disappear mostly for political reasons.
In fact the whole notion of separation of powers was sent to hell at the time of the coup with the arrest, locking up and forced deportation of the then Chief Justice the Hon. O’Brien Quinn. As some journalists put it, “The day of darkness had began” and you only survived as a judge and got promotion within the system if you were agreeable to become subservient to the whims and fancy of the dictatorship at State House. Not surprisingly thousands of our people fled away from our paradise to seek a life in dignity in exile in foreign lands as far away as the cold land of Canada.
Mr. Chairman, to forget and move forward from this ugly chapter in our history is not an easy task and in the circumstances of our case required an adoption and promotion of the philosophy of national reconciliation which was regarded as the first step towards the promotion of a high level of national unity. In fact this is what the constitution of the 3rd Republic was intended to bring about but in the beginning of this constitution as leopards do not change their skin overnight, it was a case, to quote, Judge Sauzier of “Plus sa va plus c’est la meme chose.”
Indeed it is only after the election of President James Alix Michel as President in his own right, that we saw a drive towards transparency and a restoration of the concept of the separation of powers.
Unfortunately the National Assembly as presently constituted is not entirely a healthy and satisfactory one because those who claim to represent a substantial portion of the opposition have chosen not to participate and contribute to national debate on important and vital legislative issues. I do hope that they find the strength of character to return back in the national interest.
So far as the judiciary is concerned it is my view that we have never had it so good and that through the initiative and guidance of the present Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Frederick Egonda-Ntende with the obvious encouragement and support of President James Alix Michel many changes have taken place and are taking place in order to meet the need of a society which is crying for more transparency, more accountability and more fair play and one which today has the need for more sophisticated legal and judicial requirements.
When I practiced as a barrister and an attorney-at-law in early 60s I was a jack of all trade and a master of none. Today we are living in the age of specialization and we have a Maitre Nichol Gabriel specializing in criminal law, a Maitre Gerard Maurel specializing in real estate and conveyancing and gentlemen like Philippe Boulle and Shelton Jolicoeur making trusts, the registration of off-shore companies and off-shore banking their specialized areas.
As we move along the road that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done and that he who seeks justice must come with clean hands, at a time of great hopes for a better economic future, it is vitally important that we have in place a judiciary made up of respected judges who are ready to give judgment without fear or favor. In this context I would like to share with you all certain views about judges which I recently came across in an article I read in the Sydney Morning Herald of Australia this year.
In that article written by the legal affairs correspondent of the paper a former President of the New North South Wales Court of Appeal states that judges inevitably and necessarily bring personal prejudices to their decision and that those ‘who claim to be above such behavior are probably the ones most likely to do so. According to the article, contrary to their preferred image as custodian of a fixed set of laws, female and male judges ruled in startling different directions on some questions and hungry judges were more likely to deny parole request than those who had just eaten.
In a speech on the laws human side, delivered at the University of New South Wales, Keith Mason stated “Every judge is the product of his or her unique genetic makeup, upbringing, schooling, religious exposure, early professional training and often evolving family and other circumstances.
According to the article division of opinions and shifts over the generations were reflective of honest disagreements over the law. In fact these factors are seen as natural and inevitable and as someone very well puts it “They are not badges of ignorance or judicial misconduct - they are the badges of humanity.”
The differences between judges were manifest in pattern of sentencing, damages awards, level of suspicion of government and notions of personal responsibility among other judicial calls.
In fact a survey by Stanford Law Review has found that applications by asylum seekers in the United States found that female judges were 44% more likely to grant asylum than men and that the longer a judge had worked for the government, the lower the grant rate. There is also that study which found out that judges granted 65% of parole request immediately after a food break, their approval rate dwindles to zero before the next meal.
Well, I do not know how much of all this applies to our judiciary set-up in Seychelles today but it is certainly interesting to take note of these observations. And now what’s about the future?
It is clear that decisions taken by politicians today could have a major influence on the world tomorrow. Yet, our off-spring and the generations yet to be born cannot stand up for their rights. It is, therefore, our duty and responsibility to ensure the survival of both present and future generations. It is my conviction that we can only create a world that is more equitable, sustainable and peaceful over a long period of time if our solutions address the root causes of our current crisis. Otherwise, as we can witness in the global system today we risk dumping the cost of geographically limited or temporary solution on the shoulders of others yet to be born.
Tomorrow after attending the National Day parade I will be flying to Bonn, Germany to participate in the 7th Annual General Assembly of the World Future Council which has within its structure promoted a future justice commission. Such an organization has become invaluable and necessary because we must analyze and expose long-term effects of our decision today by connecting current problem solving with a long term perspective. To achieve this we must work from an integrated perspective, highlighting the connection between human rights and security, ecological integrity, social equity and peaceful relations.
Why do we need Future Justice?
We need Future Justice because we need to change our relationships – with ourselves, with each other and with our Earth. The world is warming dangerously. A quarter of our mammals face a high risk of extinction in the near future. Forest destruction continues at the rate of 13 million hectares a year, an area equivalent to one half o the UK. Over 75% of the world’s fish stocks are either fully or over exploited, as large industrial vessels bottom trawling in deeper water cause severe long-term damage. We know the natural world is suffering from our misguided actions.
We need Future Justice because we need to overcome the obscene inequity between people. Over one billion people live on less than US$1 a day. 10 million die every year of hunger and hunger-related diseases. Over one billion still lack access to safe drinking water. US$89 billion was the estimated need of low income countries in 2008 to meet the Millennium Development Goals that would help end this unacceptable state of affairs – while world military expenditure was US$1,339 billion in 2007. The gap between rich and poor widens further, including within rich countries. We know the human world is suffering from our misguided actions.
SEYCHELLES AND CHINA TOURISM
Seychelles tourism maintains its presence in China
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 17, 2013
The Seychelles islands are going after their share of the Chinese market with the tourism board and its partners participating at the International Tourism Expo of China for the 3rd year running.
A tourism delegation comprising members of the Seychelles Tourism Board and its partners who remain serious in wanting to work with the Tourism Board to develop a stronger presence in the market were in attendancve.
The Seychelles Tourism Board is being represented at ITE by its Chief Executive Officer, Elsia Grandcourt; the Regional Manager, Jean-Luc Lai- Lam; and Senior Marketing Executive, Stephanie Lablache; and supported by partners Air Seychelles, Head of Sales, Cindy Vidot (cvidot@airseychelles.com); Creole Travel Services, Business Development Manager, Rose Sham (rose.sham@creoletravelservices.com); Masons Travel, Marketing Coordinator, Hilda Camille (hcamille@masonstravel.com); and Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, Director of Sales & Customer Service,Eric Lee (eric@randallmarketing.com.au).
Together they are representing Seychelles at ITE, which started on June 13 and will end on June 16.
This year is the 27th edition of ITE, Hong Kong's only international fair and one of the earliest established in Asia covering mainland China, particularly southern China.
Covering both corporate travel and MICE, as well as attracting over 600 exhibitors from over 50 countries and over 6,000 travel agents and tour operators, ITE is the prime venue to further penetrate the Chinese market and attract potential holiday makers of the region and beyond, as over 80 percent of its exhibitors are from outside Hong Kong.
This year at the Seychelles stand, a wheel of fortune was introduced whereby trade and public participants stand to win a round-trip to the Seychelles, including accommodations, transfers, and excursions, as well as a Coco de Mer and other giveaways. This was to attract more visitors to the Seychelles stand and to furthermore increase the database of the region. The prizes were sponsored by local partners, namely Air Seychelles, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts Constance Hotels & Resort, Creole Travel Services, and Masons Travel.
"China is one of our fastest-growing markets and with our national airline, Air Seychelles, direct through service into Hong Kong with a short layover inAbu Dhabi, the Seychelles Tourism Board will be adding its presence in the market in order to serve Hong Kong and the surrounding regions," said the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board.
"There are prospects, and I personally think that with more visibility, Seychelles could be a new venture for the Asians as they are continuously looking for new exciting destinations,” said Ms. Sham from Creole Travel Services.
INCUMBENT IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD HAS CONGRATULATED HASSAN ROHANI FOLLOWING HIS VICTORY IN IRAN’S 11TH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Seychelles commemorates 20th anniversary
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 16, 2013
Seychelles President James Michel was presented with a book entitled, “Seychelles: How Classic Policies Restored sustainability,” in a special ceremony held at State House this afternoon. The ceremony was attended by the special guest for the National Day celebrations, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as well as dignitaries, members of the Seychelles National Assembly, and other distinguished guests.
“Four and a half years ago, we had to make a very difficult decision. The economic situation was such that to ensure our very survival as a nation, we had to embark on a radical program of reforms. I was convinced, though, that we could rise above our challenges if we were united and determined. And, indeed, we have been vindicated,” said President Michel in his remarks.
The President thanked all Seychellois for their efforts. He noted that the book tells the story of an economic crisis faced by a small country which highlights the Seychellois people’s resilience, sacrifices, and willpower during this difficult time and how it was able to surpass such economic crisis and he hoped that the book will inspire and guide other countries.
“Seychelles: How Classic Policies Restored Sustainability” illustrates one of the many achievements of Seychelles during those 20 years in relation to the global economic crisis of 2008 which impelled Seychelles to embark on a very comprehensive macroeconomic reform program, together with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the European Union. It gives a clear insight of the deep economic crisis Seychelles endured and how the country reacted to the situation, working to ensuring the best outcome for its people, which lead to a remarkable success through the reform program.
In his address during the ceremony, the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, Mr. Pierre Laporte, remarked on the call by President Michel to the Seychellois nation in 2008.
“I recall as if it was yesterday, when President Michel made the wake-up call to our nation. The message was strong and straightforward - that the time had come for the people of Seychelles to wake up to a new reality. But the message also carried hope; hope that under his leadership, his government had the right policies needed to get Seychelles out of trouble. But more importantly, hope for the people that whilst major sacrifices were needed, no one would be left behind and the assurance that the more vulnerable would be protected at all cost,” said Minister Laporte in his speech.
Minister Laporte noted the challenges of such measures like changes in work force, liberalization of the exchange rates which led to devaluation, followed by inflation, and how Seychelles finds itself economically stable.
“The book rightly recognizes the sacrifices of the Seychellois people. We often talk of how unlike in many other places, the Seychelles people throughout the difficult moments stood in unity and tolerance,” said Minister Laporte.
The launching of this book is one among other events to be celebrated in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the third Republic of Seychelles.
PRIZED MAHE BEACH RESORT AREA
Beau Vallon’s Golden Mile takes further shape
Beau Vallon Bay / Image via airworldtours.co.uk
BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN CORRESPONDENT, AFRICA | JUN 14, 2013
(eTN) - Plans to transform a key seafront section of Beau Vallon Bay, one of Mahe’s prized beach resort areas, into what has initially been called “The Golden Mile,” have made further progress according to a regular source from Mahe, following another stakeholder meeting during the week.
The new development, which is aimed to remodel the entire area, provide a beach promenade, a park for Seychellois as well as for tourists, secure parking, and other amenities, is expected to bring the shine back on the entire area and make it more user friendly, and more safe to walk and enjoy during day and evening hours.
Initially an idea floated by tourism stakeholders, the project swiftly brought the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry for Environment on board, as did other government bodies who joined hands with private sector companies that have a vested interest to see the plans succeed.
This third meeting among interested parties was reportedly the final one before a final concept paper will be brought to the cabinet for discussion and approval, following which a formal process will get underway to plan, obtain pre-requisite licenses and permits, and eventually begin construction to transform the area.
CHAIRMAN OF THE QATARI CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY CONFIRMS
Qatar Airways to suspend services between Doha and Seychelles
Image via nordicaero.com
Jun 14, 2013
The Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Minister Joel Morgan, has received an official letter dated June 10, 2013 from the Chairman of the Qatari Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Abdulaziz Mohamed Al Noaimi, confirming that “with great regret...as of September 1, 2013, Qatar Airways will suspend the services between Doha and Seychelles as, unfortunately and notwithstanding all marketing efforts, the route has never become financially viable.”
In the letter to the Minister, the Chairman of the Qatari Civil Aviation Authority, however, noted that they will continue to monitor the market and expressed their hope that with the continuous expansion of Qatar Airways, the conditions may become more favorable for them to re-launch their operations into Seychelles.
In his letter of reply to Mr. Noaimi, Minister Morgan expressed the government’s regret on Qatar Airways’ decision to suspend its services between Doha and Seychelles but noted that the government was “cognizant that Qatar Airways has done its level best to ensure that the route Doha - Seychelles and vice versa became financially viable,” and it was unfortunate that this had not been possible.
Minister Morgan further stated in his letter, “It is heart-warming to note, however, that your good offices will continue to monitor the market very closely with a view to restart operations, should the conditions become more favorable in the future. You have my assurances, in my capacity as the Minister of Transport, that the government of Seychelles will continue to work hard to further enhance the quality of our tourism product, with the aim to grow the number of visitors to our shores.” He also reiterated that the government remains committed to continue to strengthen the working relationship with Qatar Airways, as Seychelles seeks to find ways to welcome the airline back to Seychelles and facilitate the re-launching of its operations.
It should be noted that a first meeting chaired by the Minister to address air transport and tourism concerns, was held last Friday, June 7, 2013 together with his colleague ministers, Minister Pierre Laporte, the Minister responsible for Finance, Trade and Investment, and Minister Alain St. Ange, the Minister for Tourism and Culture. The meeting which was also attended by the Principal Secretary for Transport, Mr. Terence Mondon; the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs. Sherin Renaud; the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. David Savy and Mr. Gilbert Faure, respectively; the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt; and the Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, Mr. Cramer Ball, providing an opportunity for crucial issues affecting Seychelles air transport and tourism industry to be discussed.
The strategic meeting was held with the objective of discussing ways to develop synergies between the transport and tourism ministries and affiliate bodies, with the aim of enhancing the performance of the Seychelles' tourism and air transport industries, passenger load factors onboard aircraft, as well as hotel bed occupancy rates, among other emerging issues. Some of the key points noted were the worrying low aircraft load factors, the challenges that exist locally which are affecting the attractiveness and competitiveness of Seychelles as a holiday destination, among others.
Among the key recommendations made to build upon the synergies between all concerned and to fully and effectively address the concerns of the two most sensitive sectors in Seychelles, it was agreed as a first step that a meeting is held with the tourism trade to discuss how Seychelles as a package destination could be brought to more affordable levels and, in the process, improve on its attractiveness to foreign visitors. A monthly meeting was also agreed to be held between the Ministers of Transport, Finance and Tourism, together with affiliate bodies, to review and act on the recommendations made by the trade.
LAUDS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
African Union Chair says Seychelles an inspiration to all
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 14, 2013
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has congratulated Seychelles for its very high level of human development as well as its achievements in environmental conservation, which she said should be an example for other countries and are "an inspiration to all." Dr. Dlamini-Zuma made the comments at a meeting with President James Michel at State House, at the start of her 3-day official visit.
Seychelles President Michel welcomed Dr. Dlamini-Zuma and thanked her for the support that she has expressed to the island states of Africa, with a great understanding of the specificities and complexities of those states.
"We appreciate your efforts to sensitize the African continent to the needs of the small islands states of Africa, as well as the role that coastal states can play in developing the blue economy of the continent. ... I would also like to congratulate you on the new dimension, dynamism, and efficiency you have introduced to the African Union, and I am confident that you will take the Union to new heights," said President Michel.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission added that the “Seychelles success story” needed to be shared with other members of the African Union, where exchanges of best practices could aid the development of much bigger nations.
"I am pleased to see that Seychelles has an active diplomacy within the African Union, and we appreciate your active advocacy and contribution to the discussions," said Dr. Dlamini-Zuma.
The President and the Chairperson discussed the recent African Union Summit which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (later African Union), as well as the Tokyo International Conference for African Development in Yokohama, which both had attended.
President Michel also thanked the African Union for the financial support it has pledged towards the National Disaster Relief Fund, in relation to the flooding disaster Seychelles experienced in January this year.
"MISS SEYCHELLES… ANOTHER WORLD" IS A PAGEANT WITH A PURPOSE
Miss India 2006 and Miss Seychelles 2013 help consolidate relationship between 2 countries
Miss India 2006, Miss Natasha Suri & Minister Alain St.Ange of Seychelles
Jun 13, 2013
Beauty pageants are too often but a competition, but the recent Seychelles beauty pageant which saw Agnes Gerry elected as “Miss Seychelles… another world” 2013 was a pageant with a purpose. These mid-ocean islands believe that the pageant has to be a beauty pageant with a purpose. Apart from the requirements for the reigning “Miss Seychelles… another world” to have to play her part in community-based activities and to be involved in the island's charitable activities, the Seychelles beauty pageant was also the opportunity for Seychelles to renew and to consolidate the friendship it enjoys with its neighboring countries.
This year it was India and Reunion Island who were on hand to honor the Miss Seychelles Beauty Pageant. From India it was Miss India 2006, Miss Natasha Suri, who crossed the Indian Ocean to honor the recent Seychelles beauty pageant by her presence, and she was joined by Miss Stephanie Robert, Miss La Reunion 2012.
India, Seychelles, and Reunion Island all share the same ocean - the Indian Ocean - and they enjoy friendly ties both politically and economically. "Having a former Miss India and having Miss La Reunion in Seychelles for our islands’ beauty pageant was the idea of Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, the CEO of our Tourism Board. It was an idea that I, not only supported, but commended, because it is another avenue to help consolidate the relationship between two friendly countries. The two beauty queens came and they graced the evening by their presence, and their interaction with our crowned beauty queen will be a help to our ‘Miss Seychelles… another world’ as she prepares herself for the Miss World Beauty Pageant," said Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture.
MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES MEET
Seychelles and Reunion Island: true partners
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 11, 2013
The Seychelles Tourism Board's marketing executives responsible for the Indian Ocean markets have successfully attained their objectives in convincing travel operators that Seychelles remains a true partner of the Reunion Island travel trade. Reunion Island trade partners and their Seychellois counterparts from the Seychelles Tourism Board's Marketing section attended a workshop between June 3-6 at Hotel Le Recif on Reunion Island to share their success stories and to discuss the pull-out of Air Austral on the Seychelles route.
Christina Cecile and Valerie Payet, Seychelles Tourism Board marketing executives responsible for the Indian Ocean markets, said their presence on Reunion Island “was a prime opportunity to get acquainted with their La Reunion partners” and work together to create a positive market sentiment following the pull-out of direct flights to Seychelles.
The two marketing executives said that on the first day of their working visit they were warmly welcomed by Reunion Island tour operators. Adding that despite being sceptical about the potential of the Seychelles-Reunion market to record positive growth, the tour operators are supportive of the Seychelles’ call to maintain visitor flow between the two islands.
The tour operators have given a thumps up to the initiatives of the Seychelles Tourism Board for the ground-breaking exercise and the one-to-one contact with their Reunion Island counterparts on all corners of the island, stressing that “it is of prime importance for the Seychelles Tourism Board to forge a good working relationship with its La Reunion counterparts to sustain the positive performance of the La Reunion market for Seychelles.”
The two Seychelles Tourism Board's marketing executives concluded their working visit with a presentation on “Carnaval International de Victoria.” The presentation was organized by L'ile de la La Reunion du Tourisme - IRT. Prior to their official mission on Reunion Island, the two marketing executives were in Madagascar to showcase Seychelles at the International Tourism Fair in Tana, Madagascar.
ETIHAD TRAINING PROGRAM PROVING SUCCESSFUL
Catching up with Air Seychelles trainees in Abu Dhabi
BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN CORRESPONDENT, AFRICA | JUN 10, 2013
During a recent visit to Etihad headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the Board of Directors of Air Seychelles took the time to meet 14 Seychellois students, who are now attached to the Etihad aviation academy. Seven engineers, 2 cadet pilots, and 5 members of the Graduate Management Development Program (GMDP) are currently enrolled in relevant career development programs although all crew and other staff have, since the start of the cooperation between the two airlines, undergone training and type conversion from the previously used B767 to the airline’s new Airbus A330 aircraft in Abu Dhabi, too.
The Training Engineer Development Program includes 2 years of classroom training in Al Ain and 2 years of service training in Abu Dhabi while the cadet pilots complete 750 hours of classroom sessions and 205 hours flight training in single and multi-engine aircraft. Cadets must also pass the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s theoretical knowledge and flying exams before being licensed by the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority.
The GMDP is a 21-month course, which involves 9 months of workplace orientation across key Etihad Airways departments, followed by a 6-month placement with a specific team of interest. The final 6 months are allotted for a business-based project.
It is understood from Air Seychelles’ sources that upon the successful completion of the training programs, all graduates return to the Seychelles and resume working with Air Seychelles.
Minister Morgan was quoted to have stated on the occasion of meeting the trainees: “The training of our Seychellois nationals at Etihad Airways is another example of the ‘win-win’ partnership between the two airlines, not only in terms of operations and fleet management but also staff development. Etihad Airways is providing an experience through its state-of-the-art training facilities, global management business approach, and best practice, enabling Air Seychelles to build a team of world-class airline professionals. I urge our Seychellois students to make the most of this wonderful opportunity.”
In response, Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, had this to add: “The most valuable asset of any organization is its people, and that’s why staff development is such a big focus for us. As the national airline of the Seychelles, we are committed to supporting a highly-skilled national workforce. I am delighted to see how well the Seychellois trainees have developed and are making the most of this opportunity to receive world-class training and experience.”
One of the trainees, Elsie Hurst, an Air Seychelles employee in her tenth month of the GMDP, spoke on behalf of her fellow trainees when she said: “By working with the different business functions and departments, I now have an understanding of the dynamics needed to operate a successful airline. I am continually impressed by Etihad Airways’ guest-focused approach, and the experience I have gained here is invaluable. I now know what I need to do to ensure we satisfy passenger demands, regardless of the department I work in at Air Seychelles.”
Air Seychelles in recent weeks has scored plenty of brownie points with the Seychelles tourism fraternity as a result of introducing further codeshare deals which will now allow HM flight numbers to be put on Etihad flights to Melbourne and Sydney and with Czech Airlines for flights via Abu Dhabi to Prague, which will undoubtedly help to market the archipelago’s unique tourism attractions to a much wider global audience. Previously signed similar deals have been put into place with South African Airways on the route to and from Johannesburg, where Air Seychelles operates regular flights, and with Air Berlin, another Etihad partner, for flights from their German destinations to Mahe, also via Abu Dhabi.
PHOTO: Seen here at the center are the Chairman of Air Seychelles, and Seychelles Minister for Transport and Home Affairs, Mr. Joel Morgan, accompanied by the HM CEO Cramer Ball, the Chairman of the SCAA Capt. David Savy, Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, other Air Seychelles staff, and the trainees
AFRICA AND CHINA MOU
Seychelles and Inner Mongolia develop ties of cooperation
L-R: Liu Chunliang & Marcel Rosalie / Photo: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 10, 2013
The Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop ties of cooperation between both countries to advance future exchanges between Seychelles and Inner Mongolia.
The framework of the agreement was designed to open up new avenues of cooperation between the Library of Inner Mongolia and the National Library of Seychelles, the Inner Mongolia National Song and the Dance Troupe and the Seychelles National Choir. The Memorandum of Understanding also covered cooperation between the Inner Mongolia National Dance Company and the Seychelles Conservatoire of Performing Arts. The institutions agreed to share expertise and knowledge.
The MOUs were signed between Liu ChunLiang, Inner Mongolia‘s Deputy Director of Cultural Department, and his Seychellois counterpart, Marcel Rosalie, the Director General for Culture. Mr. Liu ChungLiang said that the Memorandum of Understandings mark an important step forward in “our ongoing collaborations.”
He said that the agreements “jointly support exchanges providing benefits for both parties.” Marcel Rosalie, Director General for Culture, said that in 2010, Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Republic of China agreed on an implementation plan boosting corporation with the Ministry’s entities.
Mr. Rosalie stressed that the signing of the MOUs will define a framework of collaboration between the three institutions. After the signing, the eight-member delegation of Inner Mongolia is expected to meet with officials of Ministry of Tourism and Culture to identify key areas of cooperation.
The Inner Mongolia delegation arrived in Seychelles on an official visit on May 27 on the invitation of the Chinese Embassy in Seychelles.
SEYCHELLES TOPS ANNUAL BEACH RANKINGS
Grande Anse on La Digue rated world’s best beach
Grande Anse on La Digue / Photo from Seychelles Tourism Board
BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN CORRESPONDENT, AFRICA | JUN 09, 2013
(eTN) - The Seychelles beaches have in past years and, in fact decades, regularly been making it into the top league of the world’s most highly-ranged beaches, in the league tables of travel magazines from around the globe and in TV travel programs. It is no wonder then that CNN has just crowned the beach of Grande Anse on the island of La Digue as their top choice, when they released their annual rankings last week.
The global news channel pronounced itself on the 100 best beaches and for aficionados of the Seychelles it comes as no surprise that even the fourth spot was taken up by another beauty spot from the archipelago, and again from the island of La Digue, this one being Anse Source d’ Argent.
Tourism stakeholders from the Seychelles expressed their delight to be once again recognized for the natural beauty of the island, the beaches and the crystal clear blue and aquamarine waters, under which another world opens to visitors who come to snorkel or dive. A regular source, in fact, copied the text from the CNN website on which they published their top 100 choices and it reads like this:
(CNN) - Is it possible to rank the world's best beaches?
Of course it is. This is the Internet.
Will everyone agree with our ranking, murmuring respectfully among themselves about how perfectly accurate every placement is?
Maybe not. This is the Internet.
But that's why we've scoured the planet, demanded answers from our most well traveled friends, colleagues and cohorts, absorbed passionate pleas from readers, researched, investigated and examined the evidence then finally tipped the sand from our shoes, washed the brine from our eyes and put together a pretty good guide to the best beaches on the planet.
Now we turn it over to you.
Consider this list a premise, a platform from which you can jump into a dazzling, turquoise ocean of "further recommendations."
There's a comment box down below - use it.
Or vote now on our Facebook poll - World's Best Beaches.
‘When you compete with the beaches in the South Pacific, those of Tahiti or Bora Bora, those of the Indian Ocean like Mauritius or the Maldives, the East African beaches, those from the Caribbean and the many others famous for their beauty, and they come out on top, and in fact capture top and fourth spot, you can be sure that CNN has done their homework and had a reason for how they arrived at their rankings. This is another great boost for Seychelles’ global popularity as a bucket list destination people want to visit at least once in their lifetime for that special holiday of a lifetime’ wrote the source when passing on the details.
Entirely justified of course says this correspondent, who has been getting sand between the toes and the feet wet on both beaches during past visits and, clearly biased towards the archipelago, would have added a few more into the top 100 from the islands of Praslin, Mahe and some of the other 115 island the Seychelles are made up of.
Visit http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/28/travel/100-best-beaches/index.html?sr=... for access to the CNN web page and to see all their top 100 places.
Meanwhile was it also learned that the Seychelles Tourism Board will in 2014 host the Travel and Tourism Mart for members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation to further boost the popularity of the islands and in particular highlight the variety of island holiday experiences the Vanilla Islands cooperation offers to visitors.
India, Bangladesh, Australia, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Seychelles are members of the IOR-ARC which was set up in Mauritius in 1997. China, Japan, Egypt, France, and Britain have the status of dialogue partners in the group. The possibilities for tourism growth and expansion within this region are considered to be major assets for economic development on the islands and the mainlands. The association is reportedly conducting a tourism feasibility study in the region of which the second phase will commence soon. This study will be vital for the proper planning and strategy formulation, aimed at mapping out the future development of this vital sector within our region. While no date has been set as yet, all the more a reason to watch this space to find out when exactly the IRO-ARC countries will come together in the Seychelles next year to showcase their tourism attractions. Seychelles, clearly Another World.
VANILLA ISLANDS TAKING LEADING ROLE WITH: REUNION, SEYCHELLES,COMOROS, MAURITIUS, MAYOTTE AND MADAGASCAR
Seychelles to host travel and tourism mart in 2014
L to R: IOR-ARC Secretary General KV Bhagirath & Minister St.Ange meeting in Mauritius
Jun 08, 2013
Seychelles is taking the lead in promoting regional tourism and will host a travel and tourism mart with the member states of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) next year to give the industry a further boost.
This comes in the wake of the enthusiastic support that Seychelles and other Vanilla Islands member states of Reunion, Comoros, Mauritius, Mayotte provided to Madagascar for its International Tourism Trade Fair held at the end of May.
Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange in the company of Derek Savy, the Director of Marketing for the Vanilla Islands, met with the IOR-ARC Secretary General, KV ,recently in Mauritius where the 19-nation group is headquartered.
The IOR-ARC confirmed that the tourism ministers of its member states would come together in the tourism mart in Seychelles in 2014 to discuss how to strengthen and expand the region’s tourism industry. This mart will not only open new avenues for the region but it will further strengthen and solidify the Vanilla Islands organization in its quest to generate more visibility and growth in tourism.
India, Bangladesh, Australia, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Seychelles are members of the IOR-ARC set up in Mauritius in 1997. China, Japan, Egypt, France, and Britain have the status of dialogue partners in the group.
The importance of the Indian Ocean, the world's third largest, as a trade corridor and energy highway is being seen as undeniable as it provides passage to half of the international container ships and more than 70 percent of crude and oil shipments. And the possibilities for tourism growth and expansion within the region are massive.
The association is conducting a tourism feasibility study in the region of which the second phase will commence soon. This study will be vital for the proper planning and strategy formulation, aimed at mapping out the future development of this vital sector within the region.
During the meeting, the Secretary General and the Minister also discussed strengthening cooperation between the IOR-ARC and the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization, a group currently headed by Minister St.Ange who was re-elected as its President for a second term during the annual meeting in Madagascar on June 1 following a joint motion presented by La Reunion, Madagascar, Comoros, and Mayotte for the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture to consider leading the organization for a second year.
AMELIE MICHEL, MISS SEYCHELLES 1975 DIED
Miss Seychelles 1975 bids final farewell
Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 08, 2013
Derek Savy writes in the Today Newspaper in Seychelles a fitting farewell to Amelie Michel, Miss Seychelles 1975.
Derek Savy writes: As the country elected its Miss Seychelles 2013, we take time to reflect on the passing away of our 1975 beauty queen. Her beaming smile and cheerful personality [were] the embodiment of the "joie de vivre" of our country on the eve of its birth as a new nation. Amelie Michel passed away peacefully in South Africa recently after a short illness. She has been an ambassador in the promotion of our beautiful islands ever since she was crowned and represented our country at the Miss World Pageant in London.
Born and raised at "Chateau Mamelles," Amelie was a princess with a very big heart who was brought up in a tourism world where her charm, piercing pale blue eyes, and bubbly personality would captivate many a tourist who embraced her true Seychelloise hospitality. Growing up, Amelie was already showing her traits of kindheartedness by showering everyone she met with unconditional generosity. Her neighbors would always be in awe. John Etienne who grew up with her as a childhood "little brother," describes her as his Lady Diana who lived her life like a "candle in the wind."
Amelie would save her pocket money to buy gifts for her friends. There was never any boundary between her and other people. John believes that to him, she was the most beautiful Miss Seychelles whose inner beauty was as radiant as her physical attributes. John’s career in directing was somewhat influenced by his interactions with Amelie who loved putting up drama sessions on the veranda of her home while growing up, enlisting her cast and directing her plays!
Indeed, life for this charming bon vivant was a theatre of dreams… She would constantly get her friends and neighbors to join her in numerous activities. Her simplicity and down-to-earth demeanor would always impress people. Her childhood neighbors vividly recall how she would cherish and ensure that others enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: a grilled breadfruit was always relished with melted butter, which she would sneak out of the house to replace the margarine…
Amelie was also a fine gourmet and excellent cook! Her home, perched on a rock at Cascade, was an entertainment den for her numerous friends. She loved fishing and enjoyed preparing her freshly-caught fish. Her signature dish that everyone would crave was "Pernod Prawns," a concoction that took pride of place regularly at her dinner table. She ventured into business by setting up two fashion shops called "Amelie’s Boutique" at Michel Building in Victoria and Barbarons Beach Hotel where she initiated fashion shows to market her products. Her contribution to the tourism industry was in the form of a hostess and representative for her sister Kathy’s Mason’s Travel.
Amelie strongly believed in peace, love, and unity. In fact, she was probably a bohemian at heart, espousing the freethinking spirit.
At the Miss Seychelles contest, she challenged convention when she decided to wear a two-piece bikini (one-piece was the norm) in the swimwear category and linked the top and bottom with a ribbon! Cheekily clever for a 17-year old who ended up taking the ’75 crown by storm! Amelie was a true sixties child who cherished life and was constantly defying the odds. She cared so much about other people to the point where she would often put others before herself. She would accept people as they come without any prejudicial judgment.
She married "Speedy" Gonzalves Larue in ’76 at the good old Pirate’s Arms Hotel in Victoria, and they had a son, Christian. She later remarried Frenchman Philip Blanchard and had a second son, Lancelot. Amelie was a caring and loving mum who would dedicate a lot of her time to the upbringing of her children.
Amelie is the daughter of Rene (Dadi) Michel and Lilian Hunt of Les Mamelles and sister to Kathy (of Mason’s Travel and married to Micly Mason), Vivian (died at birth), Rosemarie (widow of Pepi Cavitolo residing in South Africa) Rene Michel (Michel & Co.), Cecile (Savy & Sons), and Ginette (married to Alain St.Ange).
At the 2013 "Miss Seychelles... Another World" beauty pageant at Eden Plaza, a tribute to Amelie reminded the audience of this Seychelles personality who will be missed.
Amelie was interred on May 27, following a solemn sending off at the Cathedral at 0930.
She will be truly remembered as the Miss Seychelles who provided our newly-born nation with a beam of hope and joy as she lived her life to the fullest.
Adieu Amelie… "You had the grace to hold yourself, and your candle burned out long before your legend ever did…"
AMELIE MICHEL, MISS SEYCHELLES 1975 DIED
Miss Seychelles 1975 bids final farewell
Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 08, 2013
Derek Savy writes in the Today Newspaper in Seychelles a fitting farewell to Amelie Michel, Miss Seychelles 1975.
Derek Savy writes: As the country elected its Miss Seychelles 2013, we take time to reflect on the passing away of our 1975 beauty queen. Her beaming smile and cheerful personality [were] the embodiment of the "joie de vivre" of our country on the eve of its birth as a new nation. Amelie Michel passed away peacefully in South Africa recently after a short illness. She has been an ambassador in the promotion of our beautiful islands ever since she was crowned and represented our country at the Miss World Pageant in London.
Born and raised at "Chateau Mamelles," Amelie was a princess with a very big heart who was brought up in a tourism world where her charm, piercing pale blue eyes, and bubbly personality would captivate many a tourist who embraced her true Seychelloise hospitality. Growing up, Amelie was already showing her traits of kindheartedness by showering everyone she met with unconditional generosity. Her neighbors would always be in awe. John Etienne who grew up with her as a childhood "little brother," describes her as his Lady Diana who lived her life like a "candle in the wind."
Amelie would save her pocket money to buy gifts for her friends. There was never any boundary between her and other people. John believes that to him, she was the most beautiful Miss Seychelles whose inner beauty was as radiant as her physical attributes. John’s career in directing was somewhat influenced by his interactions with Amelie who loved putting up drama sessions on the veranda of her home while growing up, enlisting her cast and directing her plays!
Indeed, life for this charming bon vivant was a theatre of dreams… She would constantly get her friends and neighbors to join her in numerous activities. Her simplicity and down-to-earth demeanor would always impress people. Her childhood neighbors vividly recall how she would cherish and ensure that others enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: a grilled breadfruit was always relished with melted butter, which she would sneak out of the house to replace the margarine…
Amelie was also a fine gourmet and excellent cook! Her home, perched on a rock at Cascade, was an entertainment den for her numerous friends. She loved fishing and enjoyed preparing her freshly-caught fish. Her signature dish that everyone would crave was "Pernod Prawns," a concoction that took pride of place regularly at her dinner table. She ventured into business by setting up two fashion shops called "Amelie’s Boutique" at Michel Building in Victoria and Barbarons Beach Hotel where she initiated fashion shows to market her products. Her contribution to the tourism industry was in the form of a hostess and representative for her sister Kathy’s Mason’s Travel.
Amelie strongly believed in peace, love, and unity. In fact, she was probably a bohemian at heart, espousing the freethinking spirit.
At the Miss Seychelles contest, she challenged convention when she decided to wear a two-piece bikini (one-piece was the norm) in the swimwear category and linked the top and bottom with a ribbon! Cheekily clever for a 17-year old who ended up taking the ’75 crown by storm! Amelie was a true sixties child who cherished life and was constantly defying the odds. She cared so much about other people to the point where she would often put others before herself. She would accept people as they come without any prejudicial judgment.
She married "Speedy" Gonzalves Larue in ’76 at the good old Pirate’s Arms Hotel in Victoria, and they had a son, Christian. She later remarried Frenchman Philip Blanchard and had a second son, Lancelot. Amelie was a caring and loving mum who would dedicate a lot of her time to the upbringing of her children.
Amelie is the daughter of Rene (Dadi) Michel and Lilian Hunt of Les Mamelles and sister to Kathy (of Mason’s Travel and married to Micly Mason), Vivian (died at birth), Rosemarie (widow of Pepi Cavitolo residing in South Africa) Rene Michel (Michel & Co.), Cecile (Savy & Sons), and Ginette (married to Alain St.Ange).
At the 2013 "Miss Seychelles... Another World" beauty pageant at Eden Plaza, a tribute to Amelie reminded the audience of this Seychelles personality who will be missed.
Amelie was interred on May 27, following a solemn sending off at the Cathedral at 0930.
She will be truly remembered as the Miss Seychelles who provided our newly-born nation with a beam of hope and joy as she lived her life to the fullest.
Adieu Amelie… "You had the grace to hold yourself, and your candle burned out long before your legend ever did…"
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Indradev Curpen of Mauritius talks with Seychelles Minister Alain St.Ange
Seychelles Minister for Tourism & Culture Alain St.Ange
Jun 07, 2013
Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles tells Indradev CURPEN, the known journalist from Mauritius, that: “It is only through togetherness that we will make our region more visible.”
Seychelles Minister of Tourism Alain St.Ange was the guest of honor at the 2nd edition of the International Tourism Fair in Madagascar last week, a Vanilla Islands event that showcases the unique attributes of the 6 islands of the Indian Ocean region. During that meeting, the member states have re-elected the Seychelles Minister for a second term in office as President of the Vanilla Islands Regional Organization. The resolution comes a few days prior to the end of the current mandate of Minis¬ter St.Ange of the Seychelles. News on Sunday met Alain St.Ange twice while he was in transit in Mauritius, on his way to the International Tourism Fair, Madagascar, and back, and we asked him of the current tourism industry situation in the region. Indradev CURPEN writes:
You are on your way to attend the 2nd edition of the International Tourism Fair in Madagascar. Can we know of the progress made by the Iles Vanilles project?
The presence of the 6 is¬lands at the Madagascar tour¬ism fair is testimony to the progress that we have made within this regional organization since our last show of solidarity at this year’s carnival in Seychelles. We have now moved a few gears with the for¬mation of a secretariat and the appointment of two key members to spearhead the development phase of the organization. We can now say that in the coming weeks, we expect to make some important announcements with regards to funding re¬ceived which will enable us start implementing a series of action plans. In Madagascar, we are meeting as the Vanilla Islands group to give clear guidance to the sec¬retariat on the key objectives expected. I am delighted that the tourism minister of Madagascar, the regional President of La Reunion, and me co-chair this import¬ant meeting as it will provide the necessary impetus for us to go forward. We shall soon be in a position to update member states on actions that will show to the world our unity as a region in promoting our region at tourism trade fairs, coupled with an extensive commu¬nications strategy to increase visibility.
What are your expectations of the second edition of the International Tourism Fair (ITM 2013) in Mada¬gascar?
As the sitting President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Organization, our expectation is that this Madagascar Tourism Fair, their chosen Vanilla Is¬lands event, becomes the platform for all the islands of our region to meet on an annual basis to show¬case themselves to the region, to the islanders, and the tourism trade of our respective islands, and to the tour operators and the press from the 4 corners of the world. But for this tourism fair to become what is expected of it for the region, we need to address per-tinent issues which will take us to another level – air access needs to be reinforced and solidified to ensure better and more efficient connectivity between our is¬lands. Solid growth in tourism is what will allow us to put money in the pockets of our people. So we need to show unwavering solidarity amongst ourselves as uni¬ty is strength. It is only through togetherness that we will be able to attain our objectives of making our re¬gion more visible and thus expand our tourism and respective countries’ economies.
What are the current relations between the Sey¬chelles and Mau-ritius as far as the tourism industry is concerned?
Both Mauri¬tius and Seychelles entertain a very close relationship, and this partnership keeps strengthening. As key members of the Vanilla Is¬lands, our togetherness will ensure that we remain connected and supportive of each other as was clearly displayed by Mauritius when they participated alongside La Reunion and Mada¬gascar at the last carnival in Seychelles. Seychelles and Mauritius made history when Prime Minister Ram¬goolam and President Michel signed the agreement to jointly manage an extensive maritime zone, instead of arguing over who has rights to that area. This is a big step forward for 2 small nations and has now been taken up at most international conferences as a model of joint cooperation between nations.
There are also several exchanges in area such as staff training in the tourism industry whereby skills and know-how is being shared.
Are you meeting any Mauritian official during your transit in Mauritius?
We were greeted on our arrival by Karl Mootoo¬samy the CEO of the MTPA, but unfortunately it was impossible to catch up with the minister as he had a parliamentary session the day we transited. It is im¬portant to state that this was only a short transit stop on our way to Madagascar. I did have the opportunity to meet up with Minister Sik-Yuen at the Arabian Travel Market in May, and we discussed about several issues that are of mutual benefit to both our countries. And we continue to maintain this open dialogue.
What is the outcome of your meeting with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the Emirates del¬egation?
The Emirates meeting in Seychelles which was led personally by the Sheikh went very well. The delega¬tion paid a courtesy call on the President of the Re-public, before meeting ministers with the portfolio of finance, tourism, lands and environment. They were briefed on what the Seychelles felt should be requirements taken in by their new projects and also the planning steps that needed to be followed. The minis¬ters supported the concept of the project, but they all emphasized that the new Emirates project complied with the environment expectations of Seychelles. The resort will now be smaller, the proposed water bunga¬lows will not be considered any longer as this was felt not to be in line with the eco-friendly and sustainable style of development that the Seychelles was after. As a whole we are satisfied, and now it will be up to the technical teams from Emirates and Seychelles to meet to take the project to the next level in its planning.
What is the current situation for long-haul flights to the Seychelles? And how many tourists do you expect to visit the Seychelles this year?
Seychelles is currently being adequately served by several hubs in the Middle East, and this has brought us the connotation as being but one stop to anywhere in the world. As a result, we have enjoyed a healthy growth in our visitor arrival numbers which stands on a year-on-year over 2012 at +15%. We continue as a country to increase connectivity with different parts of the world, and our ministry of transport has been promoting an open sky policy. We expect to surpass our forecast of 3% in visitor arrivals over 2012 which stood at 207,000 tourists. It must be noted that this arrival figure is over twice that of our total population and 4 times that of our adult workforce. Tourism remains the pillar of the Seychelles economy and this figure is also significant as our destination is not after mass tourism and, therefore, quite sustainable.
You are now back from the International Tourism Fair. How was your sojourn in Madagascar?
As the sitting President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands, I traveled to Madagascar to show solidarity and to support the event that has been listed as the Malagasy event on the regional body’s calendar of events. The Prime Minister of Madagascar, H.E. Omer Beriziky, welcomed me in his Tananarive offices soon after my arrival in Madagascar. During my meeting with the Prime Minister of Madagascar, many topics of importance to the Vanilla Islands region and also to Madagascar and Seychelles were discussed such as air and maritime connectivity, possibility of export of commodities from Madagascar, the Vanilla Islands Organization itself, among others. The discussions took place in the presence of the Malagasy Minister for Tourism, Jean-Max Rakotomamonjy, and the Director of Marketing for the Vanilla Islands Regional Organiza¬tion, Derek Savy from the Seychelles.
PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT
Tri-partite fisheries project proposed
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 07, 2013
Seychelles President Michel met the President of the Association of African Economy and Development Japan ECA Committee, MP Tetsuro Yano, and the CEO of NEPAD (The New Partnership for Africa's Development) agency, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, also former Prime Minister of Niger, in the margins of the TICAD V.
They agreed to pursue a new fisheries project to be jointly implemented by NEPAD, Japan, and Seychelles to reinforce capacities of fishermen by developing their business plans, which are bankable and feasible in the long term.
President Michel welcomed this initiative saying: “This would become an example in the way that Africa can take ownership of its economy, and with the support of Japan, I am sure this would be a success. The project would give Seychellois fishermen an opportunity to develop their business proposals, at an artisanal level, as well as semi-industrial, and later also at the industrial level. This is an ideal concept to be developed under the TICAD umbrella, as a concrete example of the cooperation that results from such discussions.”
Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki said that Seychelles is an example for other countries in Africa in terms of fisheries development and that NEPAD would also plan to launch a fisheries investment fund in Seychelles, and use Seychelles as model for other countries.
MP Tetsuro Yano said that the proposed project would be a realistic partnership, as well as a “win-win-win” situation for all three partners and that Japan is ready to support this project.
SEYCHELLES BRINGS HOME AWARD FROM KOREA WORLD TRAVEL FAIR
Seychelles rapidly emerging in Korean market as top destination
Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 06, 2013
Seychelles participated in the 26th Korea World Travel Fair, also known as KOTFA, from May 30 to June 2, 2013, with the Regional Manager of the Seychelles Tourist Office, Korea, Ms. Julie Kim; the Seychelles Honorary Consul General, Mr. Dong Chang Jeong; and representatives from 7 Degrees South and Creole Travel Services attending.
The Seychelles stand was highly appreciated by the visitors of KOTFA featuring the photos showing the heavenly beauty of Seychelles and exhibiting Seychelles artifacts, delicacies, and newspapers.
Seychelles had a lucky draw with complimentary accommodation at Le Domain de l’Orangeraie (4 nights) for the 1st prize, while another 49 winners received gifts such as a Seychelles Marathon T-shirt, posters, Seychelles Travel Guide Book, and other items which will remind them of Seychelles.
On the June 1 and 2, the stand held a survival O/X quiz for which the last top 5 won such prizes as a Seychelles Travel Guide Book, posters, and Seychelles artifacts. The Seychelles Tourist Office did not forget to also reward the other participants by distributing Seychelles Turtle Toys, sponsored by Mr. Dong Chang Jeong.
During the fair, the Seychelles stand was interviewed by the no. 1 Korean English television channel, Arirang TV, which airs its news to 9.7 million households in the four corners of the world in real time.
At the closing ceremony on June 2, Seychelles won The Best Publicity Award from KOTFA for its proactive promotional activities for KOTFA visitors.
KOTFA is the biggest and oldest consumer and trade fair in South Korea, which this year is attended by around 400 organizations from 56 countries. It was visited by over 110,000 people.
Seychelles is emerging rapidly in the Korean market as the “it” destination for honeymoon and family holidays.
FLIGHTS BETWEEN PRAGUE AND MAHE VIA ABU DHABI
More codeshare deals by Air Seychelles open up Eastern Europe
Image via turnstylestudio.com
BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN CORRESPONDENT, AFRICA | JUN 04, 2013
(eTN) - Only days after formally signing a deal with partner airline Etihad to open the Australian market through codeshared flights to Melbourne and Sydney, Air Seychelles has now inked a strategic partnership with Czech Airlines, allowing for initially three flights a week between Prague and Mahe via Abu Dhabi, is seen as part of an aggressive repositioning of the airline, if not through direct flights but through codeshared operations, to reclaim market presence and market share in Europe.
The two airlines now offer market access to travelers not just from the Czech Republic but the wider Eastern European region, who want to explore the Seychelles and experience that holiday of a lifetime they always read about with a one-stopover flight.
“The addition within the space of a few days of Melbourne, Sydney, and now Prague is a major achievement for our national airline. It helps to fill our beds, something you highlighted just a few days ago, and the seats on our flights from Mahe to Abu Dhabi, and allows us to become present in marketplaces the old Air Seychelles could in the past only dream of. Through codeshared flights we now cover the UK and Ireland more effectively than ever before, and the same is the case in France and Germany.
“Now the Czech Republic has joined as an HM destination. The plane to and from Prague will be a Czech Airline plane but our HM code will show on airport displays in scheduling information and as a result on the booking screens of travel agents. Such agreements widen our reach, allow us control, and at least from Abu Dhabi, passengers can taste the essence of the Seychelles already in-flight when they fly the Creole Spirit,” wrote a Mahe-based source when passing the information earlier in the day.
Eastern Europe has become an important market segment, showing significant growth in past years, and the magic of the Seychelles has reached potential travelers by word of mouth and through the travel media, which are reporting regularly on such high-profile events like the “Carnival of Carnivals,” the Carnaval International de Victoria.
Cramer Ball, CEO of Air Seychelles, added his voice to the excitement of the breaking news when he said: “The Seychelles has seen a surge in arrivals from Central and Eastern Europe in recent years, and I'm delighted to forge a partnership with Czech Airlines, an important player in the region. With this new agreement, the Seychelles has access to the city of Prague and attractive destinations beyond in Central and Eastern Europe operated by Czech Airlines, such as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Scandinavia. We are confident the schedule will appeal to travelers throughout Central and Eastern Europe, thereby providing a source of revenue that will contribute to the future of Air Seychelles, Seychelles tourism, and our home economy. It is also thrilling to note that we have connected three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Seychelles, with its two natural wonders, Aldabra and the Vallee de Mai, and Prague, a cultural wonder, known for its beauty and historical significance.”
His counterpart, Mr. Philippe Moreels, President of Czech Airlines, in turn was quoted as having said: “The partnership with Air Seychelles brings to Czech Airlines’ clients a new, smoother way to travel to the Seychelles, a destination with increasing demand in Central Europe. And vice versa, Prague becomes closer and more easily accessible from the Seychelles. Thanks to perfect connectivity in Abu Dhabi, the two companies are able to offer attractive regular service, with a plan to increase the frequency of flights in future. This goes hand in hand with our intention to further develop Czech Airlines’ route between Prague and Abu Dhabi.”
Czech Airline is a member of the world’s second largest airline alliance, SkyTeam, and has Korean Air as an equity partner since April this year, in a deal very similar to the Air Seychelles/Etihad partnership. While neither Air Seychelles nor equity partner Etihad are yet part of any global aviation alliance, Etihad has pursued its own strategy to cement alliances through strategic cooperation agreements, which includes close cooperation with SkyTeam leaders KLM/Air France and in some cases shareholding partnerships such as Air Berlin, Air Lingus, Jet Airways, and Air Seychelles, among others.
WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION
Madagascar rallies behind Seychelles for seat on UNWTO Executive Council
L-R: Madagascar & Seychelles Tourism Ministers / Photo: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Jun 04, 2013
The Madagascar Minister responsible for Tourism, Mr. Jean-Max Rakotomamonjy, has publicly announced that Madagascar is supporting the Seychelles bid for a seat on the UN World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Executive Council. The election for this seat will be taking place at the body’s General Assembly that will be held in August in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Minister Jean-Max Rakotomamonjy made the declaration for his support for the Seychelles bid during his opening address at the 2013 International Tourism Fair Madagascar in the presence of Mr. Didier Robert, President de la region La Reunion; diplomats; press; tour operators; and tourism professionals.
“Tonight I have the pleasure, on behalf of Madagascar, to publicly state that we are standing behind the Seychelles for their bid for a seat on the Executive Committee of the UN World Tourism Organization, the UNWTO. We believe that Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, and President of the Vanilla Islands, would be an asset for the region and for the UNWTO organization. His dynamism, his leadership, and his professionalism in the field of tourism has today been recognized, not only in our region, but right across the world. We will give Seychelles our full support for a seat on the Executive Council of the UNWTO,” said the Madagascar Minister responsible for Tourism, Mr. Jean-Max Rakotomamonjy.
Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles told the press after the announcement was made that he valued the support echoed by the Madagascar Minister.
“We are an archipelago that depends of tourism; the pillar of our economy for our islands is tourism. For our industry to continue to grow and to be consolidated, we need our region, as we need Africa to be more seen and to be more recognized as the new destination offering unrivaled potential for discerning travelers. This is why we have put our country’s name forward, and today we say thank you to Madagascar for confirming their support. It is important to also state that Zambia has also already confirmed their support during the last INDABA tourism trade fair in Durban South Africa,” said Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles.
The elections for the Executive Committee will be taking place during the General Assembly of the UNWTO which will be held in Zambia and Zimbabwe in August of this year.
NEW SOURCE MARKET FOR TOURISTS
Air Seychelles’ partnership with Etihad opens Australia routes
Image via wikimedia.org
Jun 03, 2013
(eTN) - Air Seychelles has confirmed that the codeshare deal signed with partner airline, Etihad, Abu Dhabi’s national airline, will open up the Australian market for the Indian Ocean archipelago.
The new arrangement offers seamless connections through one of the daily joint flights between Mahe and Abu Dhabi, to continue to Melbourne and Sydney. Etihad presently flies 10 times a week to Sydney and daily to Melbourne, effectively opening up a new source market for tourist visitors.
Cramer Ball, CEO of Air Seychelles, was reported to have said on the signing of the agreement: “We are delighted to enhance our codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, offering our guests seamless connectivity to and from Australia over Abu Dhabi. Not only does this offer more opportunity for Australian business and leisure travelers to come to Seychelles but it also introduces a simple and appealing travel option for Seychellois traveling to Sydney and Melbourne. Australia hosts the largest Seychellois diaspora in the world, and as the national airline of Seychelles, we are proud to introduce a new air link between the two countries.”
The announcement came following the signing of an MOU in January between Australia and the Seychelles for the establishment of flights between the two countries. Tourism stakeholders have welcomed the new deal and expressed their hope that other parts of the world can also soon be accessed through an “HM” flight number, attached to Etihad’s services from Abu Dhabi. At least 25 codeshare destinations have been put in place since the start of the partnership, most of them operated by Etihad, while Air Seychelles has in turn signed similar deals with Air Berlin, another Etihad partner airline, as well as with KLM to and from Amsterdam.
Flights directly operated by Air Seychelles, in which Etihad is codesharing, are the services from Mahe to Abu Dhabi and from Mahe, via Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong, the latter being taken up by growing numbers of passengers. Air Seychelles currently operates two Airbus A330-200 aircraft and besides Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong also flies to Mauritius and Johannesburg. Other destinations on the African mainland and overseas are reportedly under consideration although no details have been released yet.
MADAGASCAR TOURISM VANILLA ISLANDS
International Tourism Fair Madagascar 2013 a resounding success
Seychelles Minister Alain St.Ange addressing Official Opening Ceremony as Guest of Honor
Jun 01, 2013
The second edition of the International Tourism Fair Madagascar 2013 opened with fanfare on May 29 at the Carlton Hotel in Antananarivo. The regional trade fair, which is now earmarked as an annual Vanilla Islands event hosted by the sister island of Madagascar, is a showcase for the tourism attributes of all the six island member states. The colorful opening ceremony had several keynote speakers taking the podium to highlight the importance and raison d'etre of the Vanilla Islands organization.
Mr. Eric Koller the Chairman of the Madagascar Tourism Board, welcomed the over 400 invited guests, calling on all actors of the country's tourism industry to rally behind the Vanilla Islands banner to further promote Madagascar and increase its visibility worldwide.
Mr. Didier Robert, the President of the Regional Council for Reunion Island, then addressed the audience with a strong message of unity and the need for all member states to work together to further the aims of the organization and to rally behind each member state to show solidarity and support. He proposed that the Vanilla Islands take on the challenge of increasing visibility in key markets and adopt a charter to further the credentials of the islands' biodiversity and sustainable tourism practices.
The President of the Vanilla Islands, Seychelles Minister for Tourism & Culture Alain St.Ange, took to the podium highlighting the organization's progress during his first year's mandate. He also pointed out the challenges ahead, namely better air access and the need for tenacity among its member states. He alluded that the tourism industry is a complex one and that the rewards of hard work and determination are reaped further down the line. He cited the example of Seychelles which is now benefiting from double-digit growth in arrival numbers for 3 consecutive years while other member states were having difficulty sustaining growth. He went on to stress the importance of all the islands working together and supporting each other to further promote all events and activities of each member state. He thanked everyone present for showing solidarity with Madagascar and strengthening their support for the Vanilla Islands Organization.
Malagasy Minister Jean-Max Rakotomamonjy then addressed the audience putting emphasis on the fact that the country needs to better understand the tourism industry. He stressed that government needs to provide the private sector with the right enabling environment to allow it to flourish and take its rightful place within the Madagascar economy.
These keynote speeches were delivered in the presence of ministers; ambassadors; dignitaries; VIPs; tour operators; travel agents; and an important contingent of audio, visual, and written press.
The distinguished guests were then ushered to the hotel's mezzanine to assist with the ribbon-cutting ceremony which kicked off the official opening of the trade fair.
