SEYCHELLES - ISRAEL AND TOURISM

Israeli visitors experience special Creole hospitality as they land in Seychelles

 

 

Sep 22, 2013

“After travelling to Seychelles many times this is my second home! I love the Seychelles and I love coming to Seychelles,” said Tali Dative, Owner and General Manager of Medraft Spirit, after her flight from Israel landed in Seychelles.

The arrival of the Israeli visitors at the Seychelles International Airport, was a colorful and lively affair. The National Cultural Troupe from the Seychelles Ministry for Tourism and Culture was at the arrival lounge, gaily singing and performing traditional Seychellois music and dances at the delight of the visitors.

For some of the passengers of the landing in Seychelles this was their first time experiencing the bouncy and catchy sega, moutya dances – all performed in the colorful attires that have become the small group of islands in the Indian Ocean’s trademark as well as a good indicator of the people inhabiting this paradise’s characters.

In addition to the entertainment, the guests were also each handed a copy of the SeyGo publication, an indispensable free guide providing visitors with a map, vouchers, and the plethora of activities available to them during their stay in Seychelles.

The Seychelles Tourism Board and Mason’s Travel representatives were also at the airport to welcome this fresh group of visitors to Seychelles’ shores – occasionally joining in the festivities to give the visitors a further view of the joie de vivre found all over the island.

To recall earlier in March, the Medraft Spirit had landed its 25th flight into the country – all of which had been handled by local Destination Management Company, Mason’s Travels. Mason’s Travel is also the local ground-handling agent taking care of most accommodation, transfers, and excursions. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, has welcomed the arrival of this latex large group of visitors from Israel saying that the diversifying policy of the island was working.

"We must continue to leave no stones unturned as we work to diversify our target markets. We need to continue to touch every niche market looking for a special holiday destination. Seychelles is this special destination, and we must all continue to say so everywhere we go. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture we congratulate Mason's Travel for their continued efforts on the Israel Market," Minister St.Ange said.

Medraft Spirit is the only tour operator in Israel dealing with Seychelles on a permanent basis, providing two charters a year during their country’s holidays. Although the company also operates tours to Mauritius and Maldives, Seychelles has the highest percentage of visitors.

The relationship between the Medrift and Seychelles began in 2009, when they brought in a business group. Since then the company’s focus has shifted to FIT clients, who are in turn given the chance to sample some of the best tourism establishments in Seychelles such as Fregate, Maia, Denis Island, and Desroches Island.

 

SEYCHELLES TOURISM MINISTER OPENS TOURISM WEEK IN HIS VACATION PARADISE

Tourism week seen through the eyes of Alain St.Ange

 

 

Sep 22, 2013

In the presence of the main tourism professionals of Seychelles and friends of the island's tourism industry who had gathered at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort and Casino for the Seychelles Annual Tourism Ball, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, delivered his address to officially declare Tourism Week 2013 opened.

Present at the function were the Seychelles Senior Minister, Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan, the Minister responsible for Labor and Human Resource Development Idith Alexander, CEO of the Tourism Board Sherin Naiken, PS for Tourism Anne Lafortune, PS for Culture Benjamine Rose, and many of the island's senior civil servants and the local press.

Minister Alain St.Ange used the opportunity to review the happenings in the island's tourism industry. The Minister said:

"Ministers, Excellencies, Friends of the Tourism Industry,

“It is indeed a pleasure to address you once again at our annual Seychelles Tourism ball, which this year will also mark the opening of our tourism week. This event is unique by a thousand miles, because it is the only public/private sector social event aimed at opening avenues for dialogue through a social gathering. You are here because you believe in our tourism industry, you are here because you understand it, and you are here because you want to see it grow and you are not shy to say so.

“This year, I believe the theme chosen by the UNWTO - ‘Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future’ – enhances the work we as a nation are doing to further promote eco-friendly tourism practices in our industry. Water is crucial for the sustainable development of our tourism industry, and water will be a win for Seychelles if altogether we can better manage this precious resource.

“Excellencies, friends of the Seychelles tourism industry, now in the last quarter of 2013, Seychelles' tourism arrival figures are showing a 13% rise over last year as we continue to consolidate our traditional core European markets, while at the same time diversifying into new ones worldwide, such as neighboring Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and the Far East.

“We are also developing new partnerships to ensure we remain accessible as a destination to our core markets, as well as our potential markets. Earlier this year in April 2013, Air Seychelles, now in equity partnership with Etihad, launched its inaugural flight to Hong Kong, and as of the month of November, another new airline partner, Sri Lankan Airlines, plans to introduce new direct services to Seychelles.

“The new service will operate initially twice a week and will connect the two Indian Ocean states directly. The routing is expected to be attractive to tour operators who could look to package more Indian Ocean countries together as Seychelles continues to push the idea of twin-hub holidays with partner destinations. Sri Lankan Airlines will be an added air connectivity to India, China, and more.

“This comes over and above our other partners, namely: Emirates, Condor, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines. And we are hoping that early next year to welcome once again Air Austral and Air Madagascar to bring better air connectivity between our Indian Ocean Islands and beyond.

“Our efforts to ensure that we remain visible as a destination have not gone unnoticed. The awards we continue wining are testimony to that: these includes ADUTEI (Association of the Tourism Board in Italy), Best TV & Radio Program 2012, Best Honeymoon Destination (World Travel Fair China), Top Islands Destination (Guangzhou International Travel Fair), Best Emerging Destination (Travelling Daily - Tourism PR Company), and ROUTES Africa 2013 Best Destination Management Award, while its beaches have recently been ranked top in the world by CNN.

“Additionally, early this year Seychelles was also recognized for its visibility in the African region through the Travel and Tourism (T&T) Competitiveness report 2013, published by the World Economic Forum which is a vindication of efforts to push Seychelles' brand in the region as well as globally.

“Excellencies, friends of the Seychelles tourism industry,

“Seychelles has made its mark by remaining at the forefront of the Vanilla Islands initiative, the regional umbrella organization to promote the tourism of its member countries: Seychelles, Madagascar, La Reunion, Mauritius, Mayotte, Comores, and now the Maldives where I have just been re-elected as the body's President for a second mandate. Furthermore, Derek Savy, a qualified Seychellois, has been appointed as the organization’s Marketing Director – all moves that will greatly enhance our drive to grow the local tourism industry.

“Other successes that I wish to highlight is our attendance to the UNWTO General Assembly in Zambia and Zimbabwe at which our former CEO of The Seychelles Tourism Board, Elsia Grandcourt, was confirmed in her appointment as UNWTO Regional Director for Africa, an appointment that is a great source of pride for Seychelles. It is at this very UNWTO General Assembly that Seychelles got elected to sit on the UNWTO, the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Executive Council. This should help keep Seychelles and the region in the forefront of world tourism.

“Other of our most recent achievements includes the inclusion in the ‘East-3-Route’ initiative. After a year-long process, we were finally admitted as a member of the ‘East-3-Route’ initiative that was originally a grouping of KwaZulu Natal of South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique, spearheaded personally by former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, and His Majesty the King of Swaziland, in 1998. Seychelles now joins as a proud new member to pursue the goals of promoting eco-tourism development, capitalizing on the region's exciting topographical landmarks and emphasizing the existing blend of cultural and historical heritage.

“We continue to take new approaches and make great strides to remain relevant in the fast-changing tourism market.

“In line with our policy of reaching out to partners in the region and beyond, last month we signed an MOU of cooperation in the field of tourism, opening up new avenues of collaboration across a broad spectrum of activities with South Africa. The same was done with Zambia but a month later.

“But all these achievements would have been impossible without the help of our partners locally and abroad, who have recognized the need for change and the need for innovation – and have continually worked with us to keep the tourism industry booming.

“Excellencies, friends of the Seychelles tourism industry,

“Using such platforms as our annual carnival, Seychelles continues to act as facilitator between the Vanilla Islands members in their attempt to further highlight the individual tourism assets of these western Indian Ocean islands, enhancing their appeal to regional travelers.

“As we continue to work on the development of our first sustainability label, we strive to optimize economic benefits for communities and contributing to the preservation of natural and cultural treasures.

“As you all know, I keep an open-door policy, a policy which enables me to keep abreast with developments in the industry at large. This also permits me to work in close partnership and take further whatever issues that arise so that we may come to a compromise that is beneficial to the growth of our industry.

“It is for this reason that I am appealing to all of you present today, you who are committed to see our tourism industry grow, and you who are not shy to show that you believe in the tourism industry, I am appealing to you to continue the good work we have already completed so far. Let us continue presenting a united front in order to nurture this vital industry, the industry that remains the pillar of our economy.

“With this I declare Tourism Week 2013 officially open, may you benefit immensely from it.

“I thank you all for joining us for the first event launching Tourism Week 2013."

 

MISS WORLD 2007, ZHANG ZILIN, HONEYMOONS IN THE SEYCHELLES

Where a Miss World would go for a honeymoon

 

 

Sep 22, 2013

Miss World 2007 was in Seychelles with her new husband on their honeymoon. They were accompanied by members of Voyage Magazine who covered their honeymoon throughout. The group of 10 consisted of Miss World 2007 Ms. Zhang Zilin, her husband, her agent, her make-up artist, the Editor of Voyage Magazine, the cover editor, a photographer, a videographer, and a photographer assistant. The Seychelles Tourism Board Marketing Executive, based in Shanghai, Mr. Chen Yun, also accompanied the media group to Seychelles.

They stayed at Constance Ephelia Resort and part of the crew stayed onboard Sea Star, one of Silhouette Cruises’ more modern vessels for a few days, covering the adventure side of a Seychelles’ holiday. Another partner which helped in making this project a success was Mason’s Travel who assisted with ground transfers throughout.

Intense photo shooting sessions with Miss World 2007 were carried out at Constance Ephelia Resort, on Curieuse Island, onboard Sea Star, and around Mahe Island.

Feedback from all parties involved were positive with promises to return to the paradise islands in the near future.

 

Taking on the challenge of opening air connectivity within the Vanilla Islands

 

 

Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Sep 21, 2013

In his second year mandate as President of the Vanilla Islands, Alain St.Ange, who also holds the portfolio as the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, is engaging in the daunting task of increasing air connectivity within the islands of the Vanilla grouping and reducing the cost of travel between these Islands.

In an interview published by the magazine, “Ile en Ile” of La Reunion, Alain St.Ange did not fail to reiterate that the Vanilla Islands concept of unifying the tourism promotional campaigns for the islands of La Reunion, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Maldives could only work when an effective direct air access framework between these Islands becomes a reality. The President of the Vanilla Islands reiterated that this remains a real challenge for the region's tourism industry.

The interview was compiled during the meeting held in La Reunion Island that was held from September 10-12 and was published on September 15 in time for use at the Top Resa Tourism Trade Fair in Paris. In his interview, the President of the Vanilla Islands talks about the recent success of the Vanilla Islands ministerial meeting and the admission of the grouping as a member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

It is now months since Minister St.Ange has taken office as the President of the Vanilla Islands for a second term, and he persists with his thinking that the Vanilla Islands can only really become an important tourism destination of the Indian Ocean destination when an effective air connectivity is in place.

“When we announced that we had obtained the budget to run the Vanilla Islands Group, our intention was also spelled out that this money will allow us to accelerate projects aimed at making us an effective and relevant tourism region. One of the challenges we are still facing during my second mandate is to come out with ways and means on how to reduce tariffs between the Indian Ocean islands and at the same time increase air access between the Vanilla Islands. Then and only then will it be possible to create, not only a Vanilla Islands tourism destination, but also real trading opportunities in the region,” Alain St.Ange, President of Vanilla Islands, said.

As the latest member organization of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the President of the Vanilla Island is now confident that more can now be done for the region.

Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of UNWTO, made the announcement that the Vanilla Islands has become a member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization which has given the President of the Vanilla Islands a double responsibility. As a member on the UNWTO Executive Council, he now has to work to keep the region and its Vanilla Islands in the forefront, as he looks at Seychelles as a tourism destination in its own right.

“Taleb Rifai accepted to be present alongside the Vanilla Island Ministers at the Top Resa Tourism Trade Fair in France as he has accepted to be with the regional organization at the World Tourism Market in London. The Secretary General of the UNWTO has accepted to be the one to even call a press conference for the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands at the World Travel Market in London where he will stand with me, as the President of the Vanilla Islands, and the other ministers of the region to break the news to the Community of Nations and to the world of tourism about the new tourism region in the Indian Ocean. We could not have asked for more than what he has offered to our organization,” Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles said.

The Vanilla Islands Ministerial meeting in La Reunion brought together key players of the tourism industry from the different islands to put on their thinking caps and to come out with what is best for the sustainability of the region as a whole.

“What’s come out of these two working days was the need for the islands to work for a sustainable tourism concept. Today the Community of Nations is looking at La Reunion Island not just as an Island destination, but as a world-class tourism destination in the Indian Ocean - a first for La Reunion Island who has been working hard to make their mark on the international tourism scene,” the Seychelles Minister said.

 

La Reunion & Seychelles discuss coming October Creole Festival in Seychelles

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Sep 19, 2013

Mr. Jean Francois Sita and Mrs. Corine Beaulieu called a meeting with all the different sections from both the Regional Council of La Reunion and also its General Council to discuss the island's participation in the 28th edition of the Creole Festival in Seychelles this coming October. Also present was Mr. Pascal Viroleau, the CEO of the IRT (Ile Reunion Tourisme), who will be using the event to also showcase La Reunion as a tourism destination to the invited press and to the general public.

The meeting coincided with a working visit to La Reunion by the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange. It is the Department of Culture of the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture who is mandated to organize this Creole Festival and to regroup the Creole-speaking countries of the world in the one celebration.

La Reunion Island is making their mark at this coming edition of the Creole Festival not only with the their traditional cultural participation with music, dance and food, but they are taking their delegation to new heights with an important contingent from the island's business community to showcase all products made in La Reunion inclusive of the creative industry range.

The La Reunion delegation will also have a group of businessmen who are specialists in the world of renewable energy and water.

"The aim of regrouping everyone from the Creole-speaking world is to firstly showcase the Creole people in all its diversity, but it is also to open trading possibilities between our islands. We salute La Reunion Island for the initiative to use this Creole Festival to open business opportunities for their manufacturers, artisans, musicians, and artists. We shall be working with them to ensure that they find local partners in Seychelles to become their agents and start importing intro Seychelles products made in the Indian Ocean region," said Alain St.Ange to the press after the meeting.

The Minister from Seychelles also said that the La Reunion leaders are working hard to open new avenues for their business community. The Minister also said that it was now confirmed that not only Seychelles and La Reunion, but Mauritius, Rodrigues of Mauritius, Creole-speaking Louisiana in the USA, Haiti, and Martinique were all going to be in Seychelles for the 28th edition of the Creole Festival from October 25.

 

HONEYMOON TRAVEL

Miss World 2007, Zhang Zilin, honeymoons in the Seychelles

 

 

Picture taken at Seychelles International Airport upon Miss World’s departure

 

Sep 19, 2013

Miss World 2007 was in Seychelles with her new husband on their honeymoon. They were accompanied by members of Voyage Magazine who covered their honeymoon throughout. The group of 10 consisted of Miss World 2007, Ms. Zhang Zilin, her husband, her agent, and her make-up artist, the Editor of Voyage Magazine, the cover editor, a photographer, a videographer, and a photographer’s assistant. The Seychelles Tourism Board Marketing Executive, based in Shanghai, Mr. Chen Yun, also accompanied the media group to Seychelles.

They stayed at the Constance Ephelia Resort, and part of the crew stayed onboard the Sea Star, one of Silhouette Cruises’ more modern vessels for a few days, covering the adventure side of a Seychelles’ holiday. Another partner which helped in making this project a success was Mason’s Travel who assisted with ground transfers throughout.

Intense photo shooting sessions with Miss World 2007 were carried out at Constance Ephelia Resort on Curieuse Island, onboard Sea Star, and around Mahe Island.

Feedback from all parties involved were positive with promises to return to the paradise islands in the near future.

 

Mauritius congratulates Seychelles for bringing Vanilla Islands on global scene

 

 

Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Sep 18, 2013

The Ministerial meeting of Vanilla Islands that was held from September 10-12 in La Reunion has been under the microscope of the regional press. It has been the general feeling that the blessing of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was a positive move to the regional organization. Jean Clement Cangy, the respected journalist of the Le Mauricien newspaper of Mauritius, in his analysis paper has taken time to reiterate the words of Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of UNWTO when he publicly stated during a press conference in La Reunion Island that was attended by a large contingent of international press that he “solemnly gave the full support of his organization to the fully-fledged regional tourism entity.”

The stance taken by the World Tourism Organization towards the Vanilla Islands, the grouping of small island states that are actively promoting tourism (comprised of Seychelles, Mauritius, La Reunion, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, and Maldives) constitutes, according to Jean Clement Cangy, “a massive international publicity” for the region as a tourism destination, and epitomizes the Vanilla Island concept, pushing its visibility beyond borders.

The dynamism of Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, and the current President at the helm of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Organization, in its battle to gain international recognition of the regional body and propelling its tourism status in the international press, was hailed to the highest level possible. “Behind the spontaneous success of the regional body and its massive coverage on the international scene is no other than the signature of Alain St.Ange, the President of the Vanilla Islands, who is also the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture. Minister St.Ange contributed immensely to the promotion of the Vanilla Island concept, and he has successfully pitched it to the regional and international arena,” Jean Clement Cangy writes.

Despite skeptical moments by Mauritius, the move towards the success of the Vanilla Islands was also as a result of the Mauritian involvement, and their massive input in the meeting on La Reunion Island was not left unnoticed. Indeed according to Jean Clement Cangy, with the success of the grouping’s tourism promotion on the global arena, Mauritius was forced to accept that the island tourism industry has a lot to gain in the Vanilla Islands grouping and should not be deprived the opportunity to go with the flow.

“We should now wait that Mauritius gainfully board the carnival wagon hosted in Seychelles in 2014 which attracts international press from all over the world,” Mr. Jean Clement Cangy writes.

 

Water-Sea-Oceans Film Festival issues honors to Indonesia and Seychelles

 

 

Sep 18, 2013

Last weekend, from Friday, September 13, to Sunday, September 15, in Hluboka nad Vltavou in the Czech Republic, the Republic of Seychelles and the Republic of Indonesia were specially honored by the Water-Sea-Oceans Film Festival who celebrated their 10th anniversary.

In fact, the Festival was dedicated to the promotion of these two Indian Ocean archipelagos on account of their rich marine lives and their spectacular and colorful environments.

The whole exercise amounted to a special promotion of the two nations that in recent years have been making regular headlines for their tourism achievements. Seychelles and Indonesia are the up-and-coming diving destinations for people living in the landlocked Czech Republic.

Her Excellency, Emeria W. A. Siregar, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Czech Republic, and other Indonesian tourism officials represented their country at the official Opening Ceremony.

The Republic of Seychelles was represented by Founding President Sir James R. Mancham and the Seychelles Tourism Ambassador in the Czech Republic, Mr. Gwilym Sicobo.

Also present was Seychellois lawyer, Maitre Daniel Belle, who is in Prague to discuss a major tourism project for Seychelles.

The Indonesian dimension was focused on Indonesian’s varied diving potentials generally, and on Bali in particular, where this year’s Miss World contest was being simultaneously hosted.

An exclusive screening of a short documentary entitled “The Making of Aldabra” depicted the enormous challenges of filming a 3D film on the remote Aldabra archipelago.

Former President Mancham was chosen to present the main award of the event, The Grand Prix of the Water-Sea-Ocean Festival, which went to the film Planet Ocean directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot. The award was presented personally to the film´s cinematographer, the world-renowned Australian filmmaker, artist, educator, and conservationist David Hannan. Mr. Hannan has just completed an important project on Cook Island funded by the Australian government and other international donors.

When he presented the award, Sir James commented that the time has come for the world to know more about the Water-Sea-Ocean Film Festival in Hluboka.

He said that all supports must be provided to the organizers of the Festival so that this annual event could assume the true international stature that it deserves and make it as well known as the Cannes Festival, Berlin Festival, and Venice Festival.

In this connection, Sir James was widely applauded when he suggested to the Mayor of Hluboka, Mr. Tomas Jirsa, and to Senator Vladimir Dryml, that they should ask the government of the Czech Republic to consider issuing a special stamp cover to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Water-Sea-Ocean Festival which has clearly shown that the Czech people have developed a great love for the sea, the oceans, and maritime life although many of them live far away from the sea.

More information and photos of the Water-Sea-Ocean Festival can be seen by visitingwww.vodamoreoceany.cz/en .

 

AIRLINE NEWS FROM AFRICA

Air Seychelles promotes local talent

 

 

BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN CORRESPONDENT, AFRICA | SEP 18, 2013

Air Seychelles’ CEO Cramer Ball yesterday presented commander’s bars to First Officers Archille Young and Shiv Padayachy at the national airline’s head office which is located at the Seychelles International Airport. Captain Pete Mitchell, General Manager Operations, Captain Granger Narara, Head of Flight Operations, and training instructors Captain Sandy Benoiton, Chief Domestic Pilot, and Captain Eddie Cesar also attended the ceremony.

The new Twin Otter Commanders successfully completed the rigorous Company Command Upgrade Program, which includes refresher training on aircraft technical elements, Crew Resource Management (CRM), leadership, decision-making and emergency procedures.

Chief Pilot, Captain Sandy Benoiton and Captain Eddie Cesar were trained and certified as flight instructors to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standard and are the first two Seychellois Captains to conduct Company Command Upgrade training in ten years.

Hailing from Anse Boileau, 24-year old Captain Archille Young, completed his A levels at the Seychelles Polytechnic at Anse Royale. He joined Air Seychelles in June 2010 and worked for 14 months at the Operations Control Centre before becoming a full time pilot on the Twin Otter as a First Officer. Captain Young is a Flight Safety Officer and a member of the Safety Action Group. He has also been trained in Flight Data Monitoring and Audits.

Captain Shiv Padayachy, who is 28 years old and hails from Anse Royale, completed his A Levels at the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) at Mont Fleuri. He joined Air Seychelles in June 2011 and worked for six months at the Operations Control Centre before flying full time as a Twin Otter First Officer.

Both Captain Young and Captain Padayachy completed an 18-month training as commercial pilots at the 43rd Air School in South Africa under scholarships from the Government of Seychelles, after having completed compulsory basic military training in Seychelles prior to joining the national airline.

Cramer Ball was quoted to have said on the occasion of handing the pilots their captain’s stripes: “Achieving the rank of captain is a major milestone in any pilot’s career, and I am delighted to present Archille Young and Shiv Padayachy with their epaulettes to mark their passage to the rank of Commander. This is a major accomplishment at such a young age. Our Seychellois workforce is the future of the airline, and we are committed to its development, and to nurture that talent. I am particularly thrilled that the command training program was conducted by our very own Seychellois pilots, Sandy Benoiton and Eddie Cesar.”

Air Seychelles presently employs 53 Seychellois pilots, 10 Airbus captains; 20 first officers; 14 Twin Otter captains, and nine Twin Otter first officers, a sign that developing local talent has taken deep roots in the airline.

http://www.eturbonews.com/37990/seychelles-indo-exhibition-marking-seychelles-india-day-celebrat

 

Seychelles-Indo exhibition marking Seychelles-India Day celebrations 2013

 

 

National Archives working scanning document to feature in Seychelles-Indo exhibition

 

Sep 17, 2013

Seychelles-Indo exhibition marking Seychelles-India Day celebrations 2013

The relationship between India and Seychelles has long been characterized as one based on close friendship, mutual understanding, and on cooperation. Diplomatic ties between Seychelles and India took off after Seychelles gained its independence from Great Britain in 1976. In 1979, an Indian mission was established in Victoria with the High Commissioner based in Dar es Saalam concurrently accredited in Seychelles. Despite the first resident High Commissioner placed in Victoria in 1987 with Seychelles opening its resident mission in New Delhi in early 2008 with Dick Esparon as its first High Commissioner and Waven William appointed as Seychelles Ambassador to India in February 2012, the historical link between the two countries dated as far back as Brayer du Barre’s first true settlement in Seychelles on St. Anne Island in 1770.

Seychelles’ first edition of India Day takes a microscopic look into the factual historical events cementing Seychelles-Indo bilateral relations from its origin to the present day. Through a collection of photos and historical information, the Seychelles-Indo exhibition traces the period between 1770 to the present day. Indians were the first to migrate to the islands and subsequently integrated within Seychelles population.

The first few who settled on St. Anne Island in 1770 came as laborers and originated from the Malabar Coast of India. Their names were Charvy, Moulia, Meinatte, Corinthe, and Domingue. Following further successive migrations, Indian integration into Seychelles society has been rather so remarkable that it is believed that more than 82% of the Seychelles population has some Indian roots in one form or another.

The organization of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam in 1984 consecrated the Navasakti Vinayagar Temple. This remains to date the one and only Hindu temple in Seychelles. The celebrations of the Taippoosam Kavadi Festival which was first instigated in 1993 remains a key event for the resurgence of the Indian cultural activities in Seychelles.

Interestingly, the Kavadi gained so much popularity as a national festival that in 1998 the Seychelles government declared it a holiday for Hindus. Seychelles and India, through their rich cultural ties, continue to mold the Seychelles society.

The Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture in close collaboration with the Indian High Commission and Seychelles-India Day Society are putting their resources together to bring into Seychelles India Day the good side of India. The Seychelles-Indo exhibition which will kick start Seychelles India Day on October 5 at the International Conference Centre will be an ideal platform for the public to indulge into Seychelles-Indo history and the existing bilateral relationship before getting a real taste of the modern India.

 

Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Ministers show togetherness at Reunion Island meeting

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Sep 17, 2013

Ministers from Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar were joined by the President of the region La Reunion and the Head of Delegation from the Comoros to stand with the Secretary General of the UNWTO to meet the press at the end of the 2013 Vanilla Islands Ministerial meeting that was just held on Reunion Island.

The Ministerial meeting was held under the chairmanship of Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, who is also the sitting President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Organization.

The ministers discussed the way forward for the organization that now for the first time has been allocated an operational budget. Pascal Viroleau, the CEO of the Vanilla Islands, and Derek Savy, the Marketing Director, were both mandated to finalize the plan of action and to prepare the organization's logo for a preliminary launch at Top Resa, the French Tourism Trade Fair.

It was also resolved at that Ministerial meeting to hold, alongside the UNWTO, a press conference at the World Travel Market (WTM) Tourism Trade Fair of London in November. "We appreciated the offer by Mr. Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, for him to call the press conference during the WTM Tourism Trade Fair in November to launch the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands to the Community of Nations and to the world of tourism. This will be the opportunity for Ministers of the Vanilla Islands to stand together alongside the Secretary General of the UNWTO to showcase this new tourism region to the world," Minister Alain St.Ange, the sitting President of the Vanilla Islands, said.

The WTM press conference will also be the opportunity for Ministers from the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands to meet and interact with the tourism and general press.

 

Reunion Island hosts UNWTO Secretary General at La Prefecture

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Sep 16, 2013

The Prefet of La Reunion Island played host to an official lunch at La Prefecture of St. Denis to mark the visit to the island by Mr. Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO.

Mr. Jean-Lux Marx, the Prefet de La Reunion, the official representative of the French government on the island, invited the President of the region La Reunion and the Presidente of the General Regional to welcome the UNWTO Secretary General to La Reunion.

Also present was Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, who is also the sitting present of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands.

Mr. Taleb Rifai was accompanied at this lunch by Sandra Carvao, Chief Communications and Publications at UNWTO; Elsia Grandcourt, the new Director for Africa at the UNWTO; and Luigi Cabrini, the Director-Advisor of the Secretary-General on Sustainability.

Also present at the lunch was Daniele Kuss, the Head of the International Affairs Unit from the Tourism Division of the French Ministry for Craft Industries, Trade and Tourism, and Pascal Viroleau, the Head of IRT (Ile Reunion Tourisme) among others.

This was also an opportunity for Mr. Loic Obled, the Sous-Prefet and Director of Cabinet Affairs of La Reunion, to showcase the island to Mr. Rifai and his delegation through a PowerPoint presentation.

 

Top Indian percussionist Sivamani to enthral Seychellois at Seychelles-India Day

 

 

Sep 16, 2013

This October, India’s top percussionist, Sivamani, will be here to lift the heartbeat of Seychelles through an enthralling performance. He will represent India as part of a celebrity-studded, 50+ Indian team, in Seychelles to celebrate the first ever Seychelles-India Day. “Seychelles-India Day is a 3-day extravaganza to showcase Indian talent and culture. Sivamani’s performance will be a high-energy bugle call to this most important event in the relationship between Indians and Seychellois,” said Indian High Commissioner Thanglura Darlong.

Siva, as he is fondly called by his fans and peers, is a rare phenomenon in the world of music. Known to create magic with just about any instrument or flat surface, his audience has crossed the boundaries of usual classical music, getting just about anyone foot-tapping to his beats. Schooled in both Carnatic rhythmic tradition and western jazz instruments, Siva is truly a world-class percussionist. Siva has played the world over with some of the best international artists and is also a part of world music outfits like the Zakir Hussain World Drum Ensemble, and a most important member of the great maestro AR Rehman’s troupe.

The Seychelles India Day Celebration Society and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, in close collaboration with the Indian High Commission and local business houses, promises an evening of rhythmic brilliance and magic with Sivamani at the first ever Seychelles-India Day celebration.

 

PARTICIPATES IN JAPAN TRAVEL SHOWCASE

Seychelles looks at Japanese tourism market

 

 

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

 

Sep 15, 2013

The tropical islands of the Seychelles has made its first appearance at the JATA Habitaku Travel Showcase of Japan.

“It is the right time for Seychelles to be tapping into the Japanese market as it is one of the top 3 traveler’s market in North East Asia,” this reassuring statement was made by Ms. Julie Kim, the Regional Manager for Korea and Japan, after participation in the JATA Habitaku Travel Showcase 2013, from September 12-15, 2013. “I expect growth of the Japanese market for Seychelles will synergize the growth of the other Asian markets,” she further continued.

The delegation, which was headed by Ms. Sherin Naiken, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, also saw the participation of the Seychelles Honorary Consul General in South Korea, Mr. Dong Chang Jeong, the Seychelles Tourism Board Regional Manager for Asia & Australasia, Mr. Jean Luc Lai Lam, as well as members of the tourism trade, namely: Ms. Jessica Giroux, Sales Manager from Masons Travel (jgiroux@masonstravel.com), and Mrs. Blaisila Hoffman, Marketing Manager, (Blaisila.hoffmann@creoletravelservices.com) and Ms. Setsuko Suzuki, Japanese representative, (info@creoletravelservices.com) both from Creole Travel Services. Members of the delegation participated in several side meetings other than the fair, which included meetings with several major tour operators and travel agencies to market Seychelles as a new destination for the Japanese market.

The various international business meetings and media meetings which spanned over 2 days also focused on segmenting the present Seychelles products by introducing specific niches to the Japanese market namely: weddings and honeymoons, health fitness events such as marathons, diving, and fishing. The Seychelles Tourism Board also seized the opportunity to meet with specific airline partners that connect Japan to the Seychelles so as to build stronger partnership and further strengthen mutual cooperation.

The last 2 days which were the main days of the travel fair focused on members of the general public. Japan has a population of 130 million people of which their outbound travel only for last year was at 18.49 million.

The Seychelles Tourism Board has expressed satisfaction at the outcome of their participation in the fair.

Ms. Naiken shared: “We are very much convinced after participation in the fair that the Japanese tourism market is very promising for Seychelles. We already have the products for a category of their travelers which are wedding, honeymoon, as well as diving, fishing, and fitness events. With the increase in air accessibility, Seychelles may be as close as 12 hours’ flight time from Japan.”

Encouraged by the outcome of the fair, for next year the Seychelles Tourism Board intends to increase its awareness and education of the market by holding press conferences and agent workshops/seminars to raise the profile in the region and provide training for the local trade. It is also in their plans to later consider organizing educational and media familiarization trips for the main agents and tour operators in Japan to bridge the knowledge gap on the destination.

JATA Travel Showcase is the largest and oldest consumer and trade fair in Japan. The number of booths in the exhibition hall in TABIHAKU 2013 has reached 1,353, up from 1,093 last year, the highest ever. A total of 730 exhibitors are participating in the travel show compared to 708 last year, representing some 154 countries, down from 156 in 2012.

 

Ile Soleil tourism development back on track

 

 

Image via seychellesweekly.com

 

BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN CORRESPONDENT, AFRICA | SEP 15, 2013

Following extensive examinations on the initial plans for the development of the Ile Soleil, with particular emphasis on tourism projects, was a new version launched a few days ago, which includes stakeholder input after taking advice and critique on board. Following the formal introduction of the project last year, which was reported here, a time out was agreed when a flood of comments and observations were made at stakeholder meetings and in public forum, compelling the promoters to go back to the drawing board with the aim to improve the various aspects of the development.

Barry Faure, who is also the Chairman of the Seychelles Tourism Board, announced the changes which include setting more land aside for tourism purposes, extending the lease period up to 99 years and introducing a new policy on the development of villas among other incentives the government put in place.

New tender documents are now available from the Seychelles Investment Board and the closing deadline for proposals has been set for December 2. A major marketing campaign towards that date will be launched in early October to allow for enough time for potential investors to make their own studies before committing to the project in earnest. More details can be access via the following web link which outline the Seychelles’ government plans to make more reclaimed land available to meet the development needs over the next two to three decades:
http://www.virtualseychelles.sc/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl...

 

Alain St.Ange of Seychelles takes the floor during UNWTO meeting in La Reunion Island

 

 

Minister Alain St.Ange of Seychelles addressing UNWTO Conference in La Reunion Island

 

Sep 15, 2013

The Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange, was invited to take the floor at the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) conference on the tropical island of La Reunion to analyze the question of “Tourism Development and Conservation of Island Resources - How to solve the equation,” the topic that was at the center of, and that remained the main topic of, the UNWTO conference.

This UNWTO conference, which attracted some forty countries, was being chaired by Mr. Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, in partnership with President Didier Robert, the President of the region La Reunion, and Mr. Pascal Faure, the Head of the French Directorate General for Competitiveness, Industry and Services.

Minister St.Ange spoke after Mr. Simon Anholt, a Policy Advisor on National Image, had presented a paper on the working practices and recommended approaches to increase visibility and on marketing approaches for tourism destinations.

When he took to the podium, Minister Alain St.Ange said that the tourism industry of the Seychelles was going against the regional trend, and that it was again this year recording an increase in visitor arrival numbers on a year-on-year basis. The Minister also said that tourism remains the pillar of the Seychelles economy. To the surprise of everyone, Minister Alain St.Ange then said that he would not be presenting the prepared presentation that had already been submitted as he had heard the message echoed by Mr. Simon Anholt, the Policy Advisor on National Image. "I will not stand here to repeat the lines and to repeat the phrases about what the Seychelles is all about, but I will instead be telling you what we are doing to ensure that our island's tourism remains relevant and visible," Minister St.Ange said.

An off-the-cuff address followed, where the Seychelles Minister pitched his islands as the one destination able to innovate when necessary, and to be the destination with a tourism industry ready to ensure it is consolidated for the long term. "We know that we are but small mid-ocean islands that are dependent on tourism as the pillar of our economy. For this to work we need air access, and so we opened our airspace to ensure adequate air connectivity, for without planes flying from our main source markets we shall not have a viable tourism industry. We need our visitors, so we welcome them without any annoying measures, this is why we have in place a No Visa Policy. Everyone can come to Seychelles and not be worried by visa requirements. As was said by Simon Anholt in his earlier address, destinations need courage and imagination in mapping out their way forward. This is exactly what Seychelles is being guided by," Minister Alain St.Ange said.

The Minister from Seychelles then spoke about the spirit of working with neighbors and with friends in regional or international organizations. “We are proud members of the UNWTO, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and our commitment to be a committed member saw us elected to the Executive Council of the organization during the General Assembly that was just held in Zambia and Zimbabwe,” the Minister said. “We are also part of the Indian Ocean Commission; the Indian Ocean Rim; the SADC; COMESA; RETOSA; the EAST 3 ROUTE concept with KwaZulu of South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Seychelles working together; and, of course, the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands where I currently sit as the organization's President.

“We are always willing to cooperate with the Community of Nations and with all our neighbors. When I heard Glenn Phillips, the Managing Executive for Tourism Development and Marketing of the National Parks of South Africa, speak just before me on his Big Five promotional campaigns, I want to reassure him that we value his campaign, as this Big Five concept continues to bring visitors to the region for the safaris, but in our desire to work with mainland Africa, we coined a couple of years ago, twin-center approaches for safari-beach holiday options, with our tagline that states - From the Big Five to the Best Five - where we pushed safaris on the African mainland and the beach relaxing break in Seychelles. This is just one example of us working together in partnership with our neighbors. A second such approach is the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Organization of which I am the sitting President. Unity in the region makes strength for the region. Here the success is the drive to open new target markets as the new tourism destination.”

The Seychelles Minister said that Seychelles wants to be seen as being good custodians of what God has blessed them with. "We want to protect what we have, and we want to ensure that all the special attributes that attracts visitors to our shores remain intact. So we have declared over 50% of our land area as protected national parks. This decision to protect our environment is costly for a small island state, but our commitment is shown through the courage we have as a country to pursue this set objective. We have gone further by encouraging the private sector block to work with us in our new Sustainable Tourism program where we now have our very own label for hotels who meet the standards we have set," the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture said.

Minister Alain St.Ange spoke about the Seychellois as the most diverse country saying, "Originally we arrived from France, Africa, the UK, India, and China, but today we are but a united people of some ninety thousand only called the Creoles of the Seychelles with a diverse culture, with a diverse cuisine, and with diverse music."

The Minister touched on the subject of Seychelles being a long-haul tourism destination with a tourism development plan set to balance development and the respect of the island's environment. "How do we achieve the respect of our environment you can ask? We remain the tourism destination guided by the word ‘personalized’ tourism. We accept no charter business, as this would push us into the arena of mass tourism. We work tirelessly to consolidate our tourism industry on a drive for sustainable tourism developments. We work to get our people involved in the industry that remains the pillar of our economy, and this we shall continue to do under the catch phrase of claiming back our industry which we have renamed the Seychelles Brand of Tourism," Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles concluded.

 

Mahe International Airport Commission expanded cargo section

 

 

BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN CORRESPONDENT, AFRICA | SEP 15, 2013

The Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan yesterday formally cut the tape for a new cargo facility, which is part of the ongoing airport modernization and expansion to bring 21st century operating standards to the Seychelles’ only international airport.

A new warehouse facility with over 850 square meters of space was part of the newly commissioned buildings and it is understood that new customs facilities are already under construction.

Also part of the new extension are additional offices for Air Seychelles, the National Drug Enforcement Agency and aviation security, and the move will according to the source in Victoria be completed over the weekend, with the new facilities fully operational on Monday morning.

Meanwhile is speculation continuing over Air Seychelles’ plans to introduce a third aircraft to the fleet and whether it will be another Airbus A 330 long haul plane, and on what routes it may be deployed or else an Airbus A320 to be used on the current routes to Mauritius, perhaps one day – now that the Vanilla Island Organization has been launched – to Reunion or to launch additional routes to the African mainland. Watch this space.

 

SEYCHELLES PARTICIPATES WITH TWO MINISTERS

Importance of UNWTO Conference on Sustainable Development

 

 

Sep 15, 2013

President Didier Robert, the President of the region La Reunion welcomed two Seychelles Ministers to his Indian Ocean tourism destination. Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture who is also the sitting President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands and Minister Rolph Payet, the Seychelles Minister responsible for the Environment and Energy joined Mr. Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization), Ministers and High Level Government Representatives of well over thirty countries participating at the UNWTO conference in La Reunion.

The La Reunion Island Conference was seen by UNWTO and by delegates present as having been a real success. "The Community of Nations descended on the tropical island for a conference attended by some 400 participants. We all participated with the one objective and that was to look at tourism for the long term" the Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture said.

La Reunion Island, a founding member of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands, used the UNWTO Conference and the coming of Mr. Taleb Rifai to the Indian Ocean to invite a number of the top International Press to cover the event and for them to also discover them as a tourism island of the Indian Ocean in their own right.

Pascal Viroleau, the CEO of the IRT (Ile Reunion Tourisme) used his Team to showcase La Reunion Island to delegates and Press who had travelled to the island from the four corners of the world.

The UNWTO Meeting was preceded by an Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Ministerial Meeting which was also attended by Mr. Taleb Rifai, the UNWTO Secretary General. The next Vanilla Islands meeting is scheduled for mid-December in the Comoros Island and this will be followed by one in April 2014 in the Seychelles which will coincide with the 2014 Edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria.

 

Miss Seychelles... Another World 2013 to feature on Indonesian catwalk

 

 

Sep 14, 2013

“Miss Seychelles… Another World” 2013, Agnes Gerry, will be demonstrating her modeling abilities in a fashion show due to take place at the Plenary Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The show will spotlight 48 of the elite Indonesian designers who will be showcasing their creations in the Miss World Top Model 2013 competition – one of many in this edition of a beauty pageant with a purpose.

The fashion show is touted as one that is not only beneficial for contestants – whose natural beauty will only be further highlighted by the beautiful and unique outfits – but also for the designers as well, whose creations will be worn by some of the most beautiful women on the planet.

“The Miss World Top Model event is one of the most highly-anticipated challenge events on the Miss World calendar, and this year is set to be spectacular! The Top Model Event is where the contestants get to showcase their poise and their catwalk skills, and this year it will also be an extravagant affair highlighting the very best of Indonesian fashion,” said the organizers.

To recall, the 131 contestants are battling to take the much coveted crown won by Miss China last year, Wenxia Yu.

“Miss Seychelles… Another World” 2013 left Seychelles on September 2 to join other beauty queens from the world over.

Agnes, together with 21 other beauties from the African continent, will show the world what Seychelles has to offer on September 28 during the pageant’s 63rd edition.

The Seychellois contestant is well settled at the Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali resort where she is taking part in many activities such as traditional dancing events, leading up to the day of the competition itself.

Former British pop star, Myleene Klass, and Mr. World 2010, Kamal Ibrahim, will be hosting the pageant this year.

Meanwhile, the Seychelles Tourism Board – the driving force behind Agnes’ participation in Miss World 2013 – is appealing to members of the public to continually vote for “Miss Seychelles…. Another World” 2013 on her Facebook page and onhttps://apps.tradablebits.com/fb/7yxb# , to give the local beauty a chance to feature in the People’s Choice awards.

 

The Seychelles tourism industry discussed on La Reunion television

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

 

Sep 14, 2013

The Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture was a guest on Antenne Reunion television to discuss the Seychelles tourism industry and his own participation at the UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Conference that was chaired by Mr. Taleb Rifai, the UNWTO Secretary General.

Minister Alain St.Ange took time to talk about the continued growth in the island's visitor arrival numbers and the existing public/private sector cooperation in the tourism industry in Seychelles. The Seychelles Minister said that it was a plus for the Indian Ocean region as a whole to have had the UNWTO Conference in La Reunion. This conference will put La Reunion on the world tourism map and it was so evident through discussions with international journalists covering the conference that they had now discovered a new destination.

Minister St.Ange took the opportunity of the interview on prime time news to congratulate Mr. Didier Robert, the President of the region La Reunion, for his support and understanding of the tourism industry. He also said that the work of the IRT (Ile Reunion Tourisme) in staging this conference in La Reunion needed to be appreciated. The Seychelles Minister said this as he congratulated Mr. Pascal Viroleau, the CEO of the IRT of La Reunion and his team.

Source: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture