Doctor’s House on Curieuse Island recognized as Seychelles monument

Mar 31, 2014

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, has said that the Doctor’s House on Curieuse Island remains a recognized national monument for Seychelles. The Doctor’s House, is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the attractions of the island according to Minister St.Ange.

The Curieuse Island Doctor’s House was converted into a historical museum of factual information about William MacGregor, one of several doctors in colonial times posted to Seychelles, who resided in the building to treat leprosy sufferers on the island from 1829 to 1900 and again from 1937-1965.

The Creole-style architecture building is situated next door to the BBQ Shed where the Marine Park Authority welcomes visitors to the island, struggling to stay open to visitors.

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture believes that this Doctor’s House should be seen as a great monument that speaks of the past and that needs to be preserved for prosperity. Minister St.Ange and his Principal Secretary for Culture, Benjamine Rose, visited the Doctor’s House last weekend in their rounds to see the national monuments of Seychelles first hand. "The lovely Creole architecture of that house needs to be appreciated. It provides cross-ventilation style of aeration that keeps the house cool at all times," said PS Rose.

Presently, boat charters, yachts, and cruise liners mooring on Curieuse Island are designated the purpose-built barbecue sitting area for their clients. "This is one island open to visitors that has the ability to help increase the yield derived from the tourism industry of Seychelles. Environment-friendly visitors are landing on Curieuse Island by the hundreds daily, and the Marine Park Authority is better placed to assess the part being played by Curieuse Island in the development of the tourism industry and how it could also create jobs for our people," Minister St.Ange said.

Korean traditional rhythm set to impress at carnival in Seychelles

Mar 31, 2014

Creative group NONI is a group of young artists from various artistic fields who are now confirmed to travel to Seychelles for the coming carnival starting on April 25. The Korean Carnival team will perform Samul nori (Korean traditional percussion music).

Julie Kim, the Seychelles Tourism Board Manager in Seoul in Korea, has received confirmation that the Samui nori delegation will be representing South Korea in the “carnival of carnivals” in Seychelles which is this year being jointly co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte, and South Africa KwaZulu Natal.

Samul nori percussion consists of 4 Korean traditional musical instruments, namely Kkwaenggwari (a small gong), Jing (a larger gong), Janggu (an hourglass-shaped drum), and Buk (a barrel drum similar to the bass drum). Each of the four instruments stands for a different weather condition: the kkwaenggwari represents thunder, the jing the sounds of the wind, the janggu rain, and the buk clouds. The idea of yin and yang is also reflected in these instruments: two leather instruments (the buk and janggu) represent the sounds of the Earth, while the metal ones - jing and kkwaenggwari - represent sounds of the heavens.

During the opening ceremony of Carnaval International de Victoria, the South Koreans are expected to showcase the genuine Samulnori which has its roots in farmers’ music (nong-ak), celebrating harvest times. It also stems from the shamanistic tradition. The rhythm reflects the joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness as the tempo alters.

During the main carnival procession, the South Korean delegation will be parading through the center of Victoria with their percussion sound widely spreading the feeling of joy. The carnival float, decorated with Korean traditional lamps and architecture and filled with a team dressed in Korean traditional costume “hanbok,” will be accompany the delegation. "The excitement of the Samul nori will fascinate the audiences" a representative of the South Korean delegation traveling to Seychelles said.

The performance team has participated in various international cultural events and carnivals in China, Macao, and the United States to name a few, and have won 8 awards in Korea and overseas.

AWARD HISTORY

2013 - Republic of Korea, Selection at PAMS Choice 2013

2012 - Republic of Korea, Seoul Namsan Traditional Theatre, Selection at Musical Play Festival Contest

2011 - Republic of Korea, Creative Traditional Play Contest, Grand prize winner (Prize title: Minister of Culture-Sports’ Prize)

2010 - Republic of Korea, Gangneung Kwanno Mask Theatre, Modern Reinterpretation Contest winner

2009 - China, Shanghai International Puppet Festival, Golden Magnolia Art Innovation award winner, Composition award winner, Performance award winner Republic of Korea, “Jeju Delphic World Conference,” Golden medal in Shadow Play Sector (Award of unusual achievement in the production or presentation of clearly defined artistic disciplines for Shadow Play)

2008 - Republic of Korea, “Korea Traditional Arts Festival,” Creative Contest Winner

2006 - Republic of Korea, Selection at PAMS Choice 2006

Seychelles says the 'door to door' visit of tourism establishments on Praslin Island is a worthwhile exercise

Mar 30, 2014

The second day of 'door to door' visit of tourism establishments on Praslin Island by Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture accompanied by Anne Lafortune, the PS for Tourism, Sherin Naiken, the CEO of the Tourism Board, Rose Mary Hoareau, the Director of Marketing at the Tourism Board and Sinha Levkovic, the Director Standards and Regulations at the Department of Tourism proved to be interesting and opened the needed dialogue on a one to one basis instead of just general meetings with hotel General Managers.

This new approach was started last Thursday where a series of hotels, large and small were visited and of Friday Minister St.Ange and his delegation visited Amitie Chalets, Le Tropique Villa, Ocean Jewels, Villa Aya, Villa Cocotier Self-Catering, Loulou Bungalows, Villa de Mer, La Modestie, Villas des Alizes, Dhevatara Beach Hotel, Residence Praslinoise, Indian Ocean Lodge, Palm Beach Hotel and Britannia Guest House.

When he started the series of visits Minister Alain St.Ange said to the first hotel he stopped at: “It was time for us to break away from our traditional approaches of holding meetings with big groups of hotels. Normally we rallied every-one in a room to listen to the trade, but few spoke and we often left the meetings unsure if we hd heard the views and opinions of everyone. We knew that we needed to hear of not only your successes, but also hear firsthand of your challenges. We felt it was time to dedicate more time than ever before to the industry and meet you on a more personalised basis. Seeing properties are one thing, knowing properties is as important for everyone’’. Minister St.Ange said.

As he ended the first session in a series he will be undertaking on Praslin Island, Minister St.Ange said that he had now been updated on the prevailing situation of tourism on Praslin Island directly from the horses mouth, not second hand, but straight from the owners of small 'home grown hotels' network and from General Managers of the larger establishments. "We have heard of aspirations of our small hoteliers. We heard how they see the bureaucratic structures in place in different departments that creates more costs for small hotel owners. We were guided to see first hand how central management decisions were too often too distant from reality on the ground" Minister St.Ange said.

The Minister for Tourism told the press on Praslin that he was ending the first in the series of meetings on Praslin happy and that he had seen positive results from the call by the President of the Republic for Seychelles to claim back its tourism industry. "We have more Seychellois than ever before joining the tourism industry. We have seen the small Seychellois owned establishments are promoting a creole welcome and they are displaying a style of tourism that is uniquely Seychelles. It is very clear that as a Government we need to work tirelessly to encourage more Seychellois to enter our world of tourism. This will ensure the industry that remains the pillar of our economy is consolidated for the long term because everyone will defend and protect the tourism industry" Minister St.Ange said.

With exception of three establishments that are experiencing challenges with their occupancy level, every other establishment visited were recording excellent occupancy level. The hotels and guest house pointed out difficulties in recruitment of workforce, they also appealed for a simplified procedures for recruitment foreign workers and a re-look at applicable fees among other challenges affecting their operations.

Minister St.Ange assured the Praslin Island Hoteliers that he would be back in about two weeks to continue his tour of hotels to enable to meet every hotelier of the island individually. He also assured everyone that their different points raised would be raised with the different agencies and departments concerned.

MH 370 investigation: Interpol blames Malaysia immigration

Mar 29, 2014

As international investigators continue their search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared weeks ago, the Malaysian government revealed it had not checked the passports of the missing passengers with Interpol’s database, which lists stolen passports.

Officials from Interpol refuted a claim from Malaysia Friday in which the government said it could not check through the international police agency’s passport database because the process was too much of a burden.

Interior Minister Zahid Hamidi told the Malaysian parliament Wednesday that Interpol’s vast database of lost passport records was “too large” and would be too much for Malaysia’s database management system, according to Reuters quoting the local Malay Mail Online.

“Furthermore, Interpol’s information of lost (passports) may slow down the process of immigration checks at counters,” Zahid said.

Two passengers were able to board flight MH 370 with stolen Austrian and Italian passports. The plane, which has still not been recovered, was last tracked over the South China Sea on March 8 with 239 people on board. The authorities have said they do not think the two passengers in question had anything to do with the mystery.

Interpol has taken exception to the country’s assertion. The Lyon, France-based agency said Friday that no member country has ever complained that the process is too slow, in part because it takes under a second to find out if a passport is listed as stolen.

“Malaysia’s decision not to consult INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database before allowing travelers to enter the country or board planes cannot be defended by falsely blaming technology or INTERPOL,” it said. “If there is any responsibility or blame for this failure, it rests solely with Malaysia’s Immigration Department.”

Frustration with Malaysia stretches far beyond the offices of Interpol, though, as a large boycott of all things Malaysian has been organized in China in response to what millions of people perceive as a flawed investigation.

Barbara Demnick of the Los Angeles Times reported on Friday that the families of the missing passengers who have gathered at Beijing’s Lido hotel since March 8 protested a Malaysia Airlines press conference rather than listen to another update. There were 227 passengers onboard the flight, 153 of them Chinese.

“I just want to say to the Chinese families – it is not just them,” Malaysian transportation minister Hishamuddin Hussein said Friday at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. “Fourteen other nations have lost family members.”

A number of Chinese ticketing agencies have prohibited the sale of airplane tickets to Malaysia, with a spokesman from eLong travel saying the agency would keep the policy in place “indefinitely until the Malaysian government and Malaysia Airlines release every piece of information they have in order to find out the truth of the missing flight as soon as possible.”

Seychelles Tourism Minister goes “door-to-door” visiting Praslin hotels

Mar 28, 2014

The Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture has embarked on a series of “door-to-door” hotel visits to ensure that its senior management team understands the properties as well as the challenges and successes of these establishments. The first in this series of door-to-door visits started on Praslin, with 27 establishments ranging from 5-stars to small hotels. Alain St.Ange, the Minister for Tourism and Culture; Anne Lafortune, the Principal Secretary for Tourism; Sherin Naiken, the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board; Rose Mary Hoareau, the Director of Marketing at the Tourism Board; and Sinha Levkovic, the Director Standards and Regulations at the Department of Tourism first stopped at the Constance Lemuria Resort where they were welcomed by the management team of the hotel. Minister St.Ange explained to Constance Lemuria Resort`s management team that it was important for his ministry to embark on this innovative door-to-door approach as this ensured more dedicated quality time with each hotel manager to understand challenges and constraints faced by each and every hotel on the island.

“It was time for us to break away from our traditional approaches of holding meetings with big groups of hotels. Normally we rallied everyone in a room to listen to the trade, but few spoke, and we often left the meetings unsure if we had heard the vies and opinions of everyone. We knew that we needed to hear of not only your successes, but also hear firsthand of your challenges. We felt it was time to dedicate more time than ever before to the industry and meet you on a more personalized basis. Seeing properties are one thing, knowing properties is as important for everyone,” Minister St.Ange said.

Tourism establishments are a booming industry on Praslin, with an estimated of 113 hotels currently licensed on the island.

The growth of hotels on Praslin Island is undoubtedly putting a strain on these properties to recruit. From 5-stars to small properties, the difficulties to recruit a suitable workforce in the tourism industry remains a major challenge. Although Constance Lemuria Resort boosts a workforce of 400 workers, of whom 53 percent are locals, Bruno Le Gac, the resort`s new General Manager, said that shortage of staff is a persistent problem at the hotel.

“The Resort`s `Bright` program of training Seychellois to take management and supervisory positions is well on track. More than 22 Seychellois benefited from this program. Our major challenges now are to recruit Seychellois, especially those working on the island to work at the resort,” Mr. Bruno Le Gac said.

On his first day of door-to-door meetings, Minister Alain St.Ange and his delegation visited the following properties in the Amitie, Anse Kerlan areas of Praslin: Constance Lemuria Resort, Terasse sur Lazio, Villas du Voyageur, Cap Jean Marie Villas, Anse Kerlans Beach Chalets, The Islander & The Islander Annex, Chateau Sans Souci, Butterfly Villa ex Villa Grand Mer, Villa Plein Soleil, Villa Sofia, Sunset Cove, Sea Shell Self Catering, Casa Tara, Villa Castello, and Castello Beach Hotel.

During the various meetings with the different hotels and guest house managers, it was pointed out that the ongoing shortage of local workers is pushing small and 5-star hotels to seek to recruit foreign workers. Many small hotels also complained that they found GOP for the recruitment of needed foreign workers rate high and the process complicated. They also said that they have to bear the cost of medical fees for their foreign workers to local agents, even if they had their own paid insurance.

Hotels in the Anse Kerlan area complained about noise pollution from Air Seychelles flights especially early mornings and evenings.

The majority of hotels, large and small, visited on the first door-to-door visits on Praslin have said that they are satisfied with their occupancy level, and for the couple of hotels that are experiencing difficulties with their occupancy levels, Minister St.Ange encouraged them to work closely with the Seychelles Tourism Board to better market their products.

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture`s first door-to-door visits on Praslin concentrated in Anse Kerlan, Amitie and Grand Anse. Tomorrow, Friday, March 28, Minister Alain St.Ange and his delegation will continue with hotel visits in the Grand Anse area of Praslin. The Minister said that he would then be back again on the island in the coming weeks to visit hotels and guest houses in the other regions of Praslin.

Controversy of new La Digue hotel construction addressed

Mar 27, 2014

Minister Pierre Laporte, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Finance, Trade and Investment, chaired a public meeting on the tourism island of La Digue to present to the inhabitants of the island the government’s proposals for the re-development of the famous L’Union Estate where the most picturesque beach of the island is located.

Also on La Digue for the meeting were Minister Alain St.Ange, the Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture; Madame Lise Bastienne, the Secretary General in the President’s Office; the Chairman and Board Members of the L’Union Estate Board of Directors; Principles Secretaries for the Ministries of Land Use & Habitat, of Natural Resources & Industry; and other senior government officials.

The controversial topic of a new hotel to be built on L’Union Estate was discussed and the inhabitants of La Digue were assured by Minister Laporte that no hotel would be built on this natural heritage site of La Digue. Minister Laporte also explained the estate would now separate the agricultural and housing estates from the main L’Union Estate and that the Grand Kase (old colonial house) would be restored to its original state. The Minister also confirmed that the estate’s jetty was to be repaired and a second restaurant set up in what is today the administrative block of the estate.

The historical bull drawn copra press (moulin) and the copra drying house (calorifer) would be repaired and remain accessible to visitors.

The future of the existing boat yard raised a lot debate with most in the packed room saying that it had to be retained.

The main mission of the government delegation was to continue the process of consultation with the population before any major development affecting the lives of the inhabitants is confirmed.

The Diguois all expressed their satisfaction that the government had taken the trouble to bring the L’Union Estate re-development project to them in what they said was an appreciated consultative process.

Seychelles Cousin Island the perfect marriage between tourism and conservation

Mar 26, 2014

Cousin Island is a perfect example of a successful marriage between conservation and tourism. Nature Seychelles, which manages the special reserve, is promoting the island’s eco-tourism as a vehicle to finance conservation. Cousin Island’s slogan is “the island that belongs to birds, human are welcome,” and it has one of the nature reserves in Seychelles that can bring in more visitors, but because it is a reserve, the numbers are controlled through a strict measure of closing down the island in the afternoon and weekends.

“It is only through a high quality of tourism that Cousin Island can maintain its tourism reputation as one of the prime eco-tourism destinations in the western Indian Ocean region,” said Dr. Nirmal Shah, the Chief Executive Officer of Nature Seychelles.

The non-governmental nature conservation organization wanted to share with Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, the island’s conservation policy in remaining unbeaten in the league of the best protected little island in the world, using eco-tourism for conservation to generate revenue.

Minister St.Ange, who visited the reserve in the company of Dr. Nirmal Shah; Kerstin Henri; Benjamine Rose, the Principal Secretary for Culture; and Anne Lafortune, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, was taken on a guided tour by Christopher Mahoune, the young Seychellois warden at the heart of the island’s reserve sanctuary.

In their natural habitat, the “million dollar birds”, the Seychelles Magpie Robin, co-exists with the Seychelles warblers, the Seychelles Blue Pigeon, and countless endemic species. After his visit, Minister St.Ange said that Cousin Island had developed the art of managing a reserve that belongs to the birds where human can visit as guests. Although Cousin Island is constantly receiving a high inflow of yacht charters mooring at its shores, Nature Seychelles claims that the impact from tourism is at the low to zero level. Dr. Nirmal Shah highlighted that “no boats are allowed to land on Curieuse Island; they are all moored outside coral reefs, and it is the Nature Seychelles rangers who are mandated to transfer visitors from their respective charters or yachts to and from the island."

The impact is further controlled on the island trails and its biodiversity through guided tours by Cousin Island designated rangers, restricting visitors from roaming alone on the island. Cousin Island is described by Alain St.Ange, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, as the ideal eco-tourism destination where human presence does not interfere with the island’s efforts to preserve its fragile eco-system. Dr. Nirmal Shah expressed his organization's satisfaction with the visit of Cousin Island by Minister St.Ange.

"Dr. Shah suggested that I be better acquainted with the conservation work Nature Seychelles is doing. Because of his persistence I visited Cousin Island, and today I can say that I was over impressed with what I saw on Cousin Island. The management and staff are all conscious of their responsibilities, and they deliver for Seychelles a sanctuary for our flora and fauna, and they remain an example to the world of how they are managing a nature reserve that remains the perfect marriage between tourism and conservation," Minister Alain St.Ange said.

Eden Island Seychelles onboard as a major sponsor of the Carnaval International de Victoria

Mar 26, 2014

As the biggest event staged in the Seychelles draws closer, Peter Smith, the Sales and Marketing Director of Eden Island, said that it was with great pride and excitement that they are again able to announce that Eden Island has generously come onboard as a major sponsor to the Carnaval International de Victoria by providing accommodation to the entire Nottinghill Carnival Group and also to a high-level press delegation from South Africa, including one of the event's MCs, the actress Angelique Gerber of South Africa.

The 2014 edition of the annual Carnaval International de Victoria is being jointly co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte, and South Africa KwaZulu Natal. Peter Smith of Eden Island confirmed the island's support for the carnival in a meeting on Wednesday morning with Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture.

“As a proud member of the Seychelles community, Eden Island finds it vitally important to continue its ongoing support of major cultural events and activities taking place in Seychelles, and with the Carnaval International de Victoria being the biggest event on the Tourism Board's annual calendar, it was an easy decision to offer our assistance again,” says Peter Smith, Marketing Director for Eden Island.

The total value of the sponsorship of the accommodation being offered amounts to SR 325,000 and this will see over 55 people being accommodated on the luxurious residential estate over this period.

Eden Island staff are also hard at work with preparations for this year’s carnival float procession where the company has again entered a float. Not only is the carnival procession a great event, but the preparation in the lead-up to the event is a wonderful teambuilding exercise for the staff members who are able to showcase their artistic talents. “This is a wonderful fun-filled time of year, where excitement mounts in anticipation of the event,” says Peter Smith.

Eden Island looks forward to the 2014 Carnaval International de Victoria and wishes all its participants and the Tourism Board of Seychelles the best of luck.

Minister Alain St.Ange thanked Eden Island for their support and encouragement and said that it was so rewarding to see responsible businesses come forward to support an event where the Community of Nations all come together in an explosion of culture and color. "Today Eden Island is confirming their support to an event so appreciated by the population as a whole. Eden Island is assisting us to be able to stage an event where well over 50% of the people of Seychelles gather in Victoria on carnival parade day. We appreciate a lot the support of Eden Island and only wish more businesses and organizations would do the same," Minister St.Ange said.

As major sponsors, Eden Island will be invited to the press conference where they will be able to meet the large number of international press flying into Seychelles to cover the event. "We have a duty to ensure that those who assist the country in staging this major cultural event are given the opportunity to meet with the large number of international press who will be in the country. This will be an opportunity where our sponsors can get international visibility for their own businesses," Minister Alain St.Ange said. The value of this interaction with such a large number of international press is a reward that cannot be measured and one that will be a big bonus to all those committed to make the Carnaval International de Victoria the success it deserves to be.

Curieuse Island the perfect gateway for Seychelles cruise tourism

Mar 26, 2014

In his continued move to be better informed and to be acquainted with Seychelles eco-tourism sites which should be working to increase the yield from the tourism industry for the country’s economy, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, responded favorably to an invitation by Dr. Nirmal Shah of Nature Seychelles for an island-hopping visit to Cousin Island with a stop on Curieuse. Nature Seychelles is a non-government organization managing Cousin Island on behalf of Bird Life International.

Curieuse Island is the island of the Seychelles where the endemic Coco de Mer nut grows naturally as it does on Praslin. Curieuse Island was originally a confinement for leprosy sufferers from 1800-1900, but the island is today a gateway for tourists visiting from boat charters, yachts, and cruise liners. The island’s unique vegetation, its walkways crossing over the rich mangrove swamp that creates a feeding ground for fish and hawksbill turtles, are just some of Curieuse Island’s many assets that should be attracting visitors to the island.

While the drop off on Curieuse Island is more favorable at Baie Laraie, the ranger’s station with its high population of giant tortoises at Anse Badamier on the northern coast of the nature reserve emerged as the more frequented of the two sheltered moorings for yachts, cruise liners, and boat charters.

The value of Curieuse Island conservation to tourism remains the island’s ability to attract visitors who pay a fee to land on the island. Visiting yachts also pay a fee per boat. The only tourism developments are the two barbecue sheds at Baie Laraie and at Anse Badamier. The latter is built close to a gracious national monument building, the Doctor’s House historical museum.

The soaring number of tourists and locals flocking to the island start their discovery at this designated area before venturing into the nature reserve.

Alain St.Ange, Minister for Tourism and Culture, visited both Baie Laraie and Anse Badamier. He said Curieuse Island’s eco-tourism potential must be treasured

“Curieuse Island has an immense potential to play a role in increasing the yield from the country’s tourism industry. They can tap into the islands’ eco-tourism followers. It is impressive to see that this island also had real potential for cruise tourism. As the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, we are here to continue to encourage this market, but only if it’s done in line with our islands’ eco-tourism sustainability programs,” Minister St.Ange said.

Minister St.Ange also thanked Nature Seychelles for making this trip to Seychelles national park possible.

“It is important for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to give credit to Nature Seychelles, because without the invitation of this non-governmental organization, this visit would not have taken place,” the Minister said.

Bhutan to join Seychelles carnival festivities

Mar 25, 2014

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture, has confirmed that the Minister of Economics Affairs of the Kingdom of Bhutan, H.E. Norbu Wangchuk, will personally lead the Bhutan cultural troupe to Seychelles to participate in the 2014 edition of the annual Carnaval International de Victoria on the invitation of the government of Seychelles, particularly on the invitation and personal support from Seychelles Special Envoy for ASEAN His Excellency Mr. Nico Barito.

The 2014 edition of Carnaval International de Victoria will this year be jointly co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte, and South Africa KwaZulu Natal and will see some 20 cultural troupes from the Community of Nations joining together to showcase their respective cultures and in so doing their people in a bid to increase their visibility and ensure they all remain relevant as destinations wanting their tourism industry to remain relevant.

This will be the first time the tiny Kingdom of Bhutan will participate in the Carnaval International de Victoria, and they have said that they will be in Seychelles to show their culture and tradition to the many international visitors in Seychelles and also to the world through the international press who travel to Seychelles to cover the carnival. Bhutan is a unique country, which puts gross national happiness ahead of gross national product. It is the priority of the government to ensure that the wellbeing of its citizens is achieved.

The Kingdom of Bhutan will showcase Joenpalegso during the opening session of the carnival to feature the beginning of a joyous occasion to welcome the distinguished guests in good health. With this dance, dancers wish the blessings of Heaven would fall on the Earth and let there be peace on Earth, along with the Ngaging the mask dance and drum beat to subdue evil spirits.

During the Carnival Parade, visitors will witness the dance of exotic nomadic tribe Merak & Sakteng - Amochilay by the nomadic tribe in eastern Bhutan to appease their local deity to bring harmony, and the Tashi Labey to wish everyone to meet again in good health. The colorful and cheerful folk and mask dances will be performed to celebrate the Carnival and wish everyone, not just those who are present at the Carnival, but everyone on the Earth to be happy.

Bhutan has emerged as one of the most preferred tourist destinations, and its popularity among world travelers is attributed to its pristine environment, its unique culture, and friendly people, and, although it is voted as one of the top travel destinations, very few make it there.

Tourism in Bhutan today is a vibrant business. Similar to Seychelles, tourism in Bhutan adheres to a policy of “high-value, low-impact” tourism, and it is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and economically viable. The Royal Government of Bhutan is looking forward to working closely with Seychelles and recognizes that tourism, in affording the opportunity to travel, can help in promoting understanding among people and building closer ties of friendship based on appreciation and respect for different cultures and lifestyles.

LOCALS AND TOURISTS AWAIT MID-OCEAN CARNIVAL

USA confirms musicians for Seychelles carnival next month

Mar 24, 2014

Lisa Haley & the Zydekats will be offering the 2014 carnival in Seychelles a golden opportunity to discover Cajun and Zydeco music. Lisa Haley and the Zydekats signed their participation in the 2014 edition of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria as an entertainment band and a carnival float flying the USA’s flag. After the country & western group from America, this group from Louisiana will be the second delegation from the USA in the 2014 edition of the mid-ocean carnival in the tropics which is this year being co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte, and KwaZulu Natal South Africa.

Lisa Haley, fiddler player and Grammy nominee, agreed this year to make Seychelles her group's next tour stop. The American group from Louisiana was expected to perform in Seychelles for Festival Kreol 2013, but missed the bandwagon because of the United States federal shutdown. It’s the American Embassy in Mauritius, also responsible for Seychelles who is sponsoring the group's live performance at the 2014 edition of the carnival in Seychelles. A representative of the embassy said, “The coming carnival is the best time for the group to travel to Seychelles.” Lisa and the Zydekats is a four-member team band. They perform what Americans would agree is America’s Creole music. It is hence perfectly fitting for them to join the carnival’s melting pot of cultures and showcase their music. On a more serious note, the group will conduct a workshop for young musicians at the Conservatoire of Performing Arts. So watch out for Lisa Haley and the Zydekats in the 2014 Carnival International de Victoria.

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, said that he was overwhelmed when confirmation was received that a second group from the USA was heading to the 2014 carnival and that he is pleased with the support being received from the Community of Nations for the unique carnival staged annually in Seychelles. "The annual meeting of nations in Seychelles by countries showcasing themselves through culture and in so doing through their very own people is encouraging. More and more countries are jumping on the bandwagon, because the promotion of tourism destinations through culture is the way forward, as this is the only unique selling point that carries a different DNA of each tourism destination," Minister St.Ange said.

PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTS IN TOURISM

Seychelles historical sites beneficiaries of refurbishment

Mar 24, 2014

A destination management company (DMC) of Seychelles, the 7Degrees South Company, has moved to make a significant contribution to the redevelopment project of the Venn's Town Slave Ruins of Mission Lodge at Sans Soucis on the main island of Mahe.

The 7Degrees South Company donated two benches for visitors to appreciate the extraordinary panoramic views of Mission Lodge’s historical site. The site scenic view is a must for every holiday maker.

Lindy Cadeau, the 7Degrees South Operation Manager, said the donation is a golden opportunity for the destination management company to play an active role in the redevelopment of Mission Lodge.

“7Degrees South found it appropriate to use its corporate social responsibility tax to fund such a cultural site because it is also a tourism historical site dear to every Seychellois. We believe the donation of two weather-proof benches will go a long way in providing comfort for visitors who stop over at Mission Lodge,” Lindy Cadeau said.

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, congratulated 7Degrees South Company for this donation, which he said is an important asset for Mission Lodge.

“These two benches will further enhance this historical site. The gesture by 7Degrees South is remarkable, and it highlights the enhancement of understanding in what we call public-private partnership,” Minister St.Ange said.

7Degrees South is the first destination management company to contribute towards the Venn's Town Slave Ruins of the Mission Lodge redevelopment project.

Mr. Patrick Nanty, the Chief Executive Officer of the Heritage Foundation, announced that Creole Holiday and UCPS have also already pledged to develop the parking space at the Venn's Town Slave Ruins of Mission Lodge Historical Project. Minister St.Ange said, as he discussed with all present at the Venn's Town Slave Ruins of Mission Lodge that private sector players needed to understand the need to work with the Ministry responsible for Tourism and Culture to help protect sites dear to the Seychellois as a people and to Seychelles as a destination.

More jobs than people in Seychelles

Mar 22, 2014

Nirmal Jival Shah of Nature Seychelles and a respected Seychellois with his own column in a local weekly newspaper wrote last week that Seychelles is one of the few countries where there are more vacant positions than people to fill them. It’s a no brainer- a scan of the advertisements in any edition of the Seychelles Nation will reveal the scores of jobs available in this country. This can mean only one thing - the economy is growing and all manner of companies, small to large, are actively trying to recruit new talent.

This is an incredible success story, and Seychelles should be shouting it from the rooftops. The Seychelles President said in the State of the Nation Address that there are only 602 persons who are currently unemployed. There may be others who are not working, but they are not seeking employment as are the 602. This is equivalent to an unemployment rate which is a little more than 1% - one of the lowest in the world. The labor force survey of 2011-2012 published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed an unemployment rate of 4%.

But instead of running in the streets and celebrating, there is an endless argument about employment, revolving around the issue of expatriate labor and nationalization of post.

Economic success means more foreign labor - the number of people in formal employment in Seychelles has increased and is about 51,500. Included are over 625 expatriates working in the government and parastatal sectors. The private sector employs thousands more expatriates, but they are not included in the National Bureau of Statistics. It is estimated, however, from other sources that the number is around 14, 000. The World Bank says that in many countries labor is an important part of the economy. Using migrant labor can contribute to the development of a country, as has been the case in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, the Gulf countries, and even the US. But it warns that there are associated problems such as taking jobs from locals. This cannot be the case in Seychelles. Last year more than 3,200 jobs were created. And, there are many more on the horizon. The president said that the two new hotels at Beau Vallon will by themselves need 600 staff. And, there are more tourism developments and other types of business venture in the pipeline. Last year 1,200 new businesses were registered. As the country’s ambitions grow, the economy needs to keep pace. But where will the human resources come from?

Where are the Seychellois? A substantial proportion of human resources will continue to be imported because there aren’t enough local workers. ... This middle income country has the same demographic characteristics of other middle-income nations. The population is aging. Today more than 40% of the population is older than 45. By next year, more than 10% of the population will have reached retirement age. In 40 years, the population will not be growing at all - a very scary thought indeed. So expatriate labor is the only route to growing the economy. This is a simple but loaded statement. It’s loaded because the country has not really come to terms with this economic need. There is tension between competing national objectives - generators of economic growth on the one hand versus limiting the number of expatriate workers on the other hand.

What is really needed is a comprehensive national plan that addresses all issues to do with expatriate labor. This plan must link immigration and labor policies to macroeconomic policy to achieve growth and increase markets, but perhaps also complementing population policy to reduce the negative trend of a declining population by granting citizenship to certain types of persons.

This citizenship thing is a particular conundrum. People have a hard time discussing it rationally. Singapore has tried to tackle it quite smartly. Singapore’s policy distinguishes between skilled “talent” and manual workers, targeting the later for only temporary jobs. Highly-skilled professionals by contrast are in demand, especially in the context of greater international competition and strategic sectors and are encouraged to emigrate through minimal restrictions on residence and naturalization. … To ensure this does not happen in the future, as the pool of manual workers increase, the plan must in addition take into account leisure space for the foreigners. The massing of Indian workers along the street corners and under public buildings on public holidays is disconcerting, but the fact is they have nowhere else to go for rest and relaxation.

Although the country depends on expatriate labor, it must be Seychellois who lead and provide directions - basically they must chart their own destiny. Foreigners can’t tell locals what to do and how to run their lives - “expatriates must be on tap not top.”

Facilitating Seychellois entrepreneurship and leadership is highly desirable. Despite government emphasis on training and on supporting SMEs, success is mixed. One of the constraints is reliable and productive labor. Expatriate workers can help in graduating Seychellois from being employed to self-employed. More Seychellois can set up their own businesses if there are enough human resources for them to rely on.

The future economy is bright but Seychelles must now come to face a harsh reality. The country just does not have enough Seychellois to maintain the jobs available.

Seychelles Tourism Board reaffirms presence at MITT Moscow

Mar 21, 2014

The Seychelles Tourism Board is once again in Moscow attending the MITT Travel Exhibition from March 19-22 with European Director Mrs. Bernadette Willemin, Marketing Manager Ms. Karen Confait, and Russian representative Ms. Evgenia Russiyanova heading the delegation. Various local partners, namely 7 South represented by Anna Butler Payette and Valentina Payet, Raffles Praslin - Viktoriya Khaydukovs, Hilton Seychelles - Maria Eremina, and Air Seychelles - Kathleen Payet were also present to reassure their commitment to the Russian market.

MITT, the largest leading travel exhibition in Russia with over 1,800 exhibitors, is the key meeting place for the industry and remains the most important platform to showcase Seychelles in this ever-growing market as the demand for travel services in Russia grows and the spending power of Russian travelers becomes more known. It is the ideal opportunity to reconnect with all existing partners as well as to continuously grow the business and maintain Seychelles’ position as a luxury exotic destination in the market.

Tourism arrivals from Russia have continued to grow in the past two months, making it the fourth leading market for Seychelles, a position it occupies in 2013. This is the result of the continuous efforts and dedication of the Seychelles Tourism Board and its partners over the past years contributed also by its increased presence in the Russian regions.

Ethiopian Airlines resumes flights to Seychelles after six month interruptions

Mar 21, 2014

The Seychelles is in negotiation to restore Ethiopian Airlines on its route. News that the airline will resume its flights on 1st of October 2014 is a positive breakthrough for the Tourism Industry, after a six months interruption of the Star Alliance carrier to Seychelles. When Ethiopian Airlines announced in January 2014, that it will halt its flights to Seychelles, apparently failing to make its Boeing 737-800 variable on Seychelles-Addis Ababa routes, the announcement somehow jeopardized the work by the Seychelles Tourism Board on the Europe, China, the Americas and Africa for passengers to use the Ethiopian Airlines connection on its flights to Seychelles. The Ethiopian Airlines load factor was not as high and deemed not profitable enough for its Boeing 737-800, 154 seaters.

When Ethiopian Airlines announced that it is halting its flight to the Seychelles archipelago, Seychelles government, through the office of Minister Joel Morgan, responsible for transport took the decision to meet with its key partners such as Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, to renegotiate to bring Ethiopian Airlines back to Seychelles.

Authorities in Addis Ababa were kept in the light resulting in the resumption of Ethiopian Airlines on the Seychelles-Addis Ababa route. The Seychelles Government said that the move is aimed at restoring air connectivity with Africa. The good news is negotiation has finally paid off, Ethiopian Airlines will resume its weekly bound flights to Seychelles, with three flights ( Mondays, Fridays and Sundays).

Germany's Evening News says George Clooney holidays in Seychelles

BY ETN STAFF WRITER | MAR 20, 2014

(eTN) - The famous George Clooney was on holiday in Seychelles, says Germany's Abendzeitung (Evening News). The respected paper broke the story which has since been echoed around the world.

Seychelles remains one tourism destination where VIPs and stars are able to holiday without being harassed by paparazzi, and this is because these islands passed a law to make harassment of their discerning travelers an offense.

This is one of the reasons why so many of the glitz and glamour of the show-biz world today make Seychelles their holiday destination.

When word breaks out about a star being in these mid-ocean islands, the world immediately catches on that many more are holidaying in this paradise setting, and the event turns attention on the islands. The Tourism Board in Seychelles remains tight-lipped about who is on the islands let alone which hotel they are staying in.

We are unsure how many tourism destinations have implemented a law banning the paparazzi as has been successfully done by Seychelles, but it is commendable to see measures being pushed to instill the respect of privacy of public figures.

The Seychelles government moves to protect historic buildings

BY PROF. DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN AFRICA CORRESPONDENT | MAR 20, 2014

The Seychelles government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, is working on a new scheme aimed to benefit owners of historic buildings to preserve them as landmarks not just in Victoria but across the islands, including some of the plantation buildings.

Tax benefits, outright subsidies as well as other measures will be used as intervention tools to assist building owners find the necessary funds to restore their buildings and keep them in good working order.

A shining example of such buildings is Kenwyn House, notably located directly opposite the Ministry of Tourism and Culture building, which has been lovingly restored and is now used as an art gallery, book and souvenir shop for tourist visitors who regularly stop to take pictures of the building, one of the most photographed landmarks in Victoria after the Clocktower in the centre of the capital.

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Word from a regular source has it that the ministry has already identified over two dozen buildings and been in contact with the owners to get them on board and map out the way forward, clearly with an eye on turning those old style buildings into tourism attractions in line with boosting the cultural heritage of the archipelago and showcasing it to the world. Closely involved will be the Seychelles Heritage Foundation, which already keeps an eye on a number of preserved buildings including the one presently housing the International Creole Institute or sites like Mission Lodge, which awaiting acceptance by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

This latest scheme however to provide financial and tax incentives to owners of buildings important to maintain as part of the archipelago’s heritage is new and already receiving positive reviews from parties concerned with maintaining the cultural and historical identity of the Seychelles for future generations.