Tourism Review - ‘2016 tourism arrivals a real success story’

Tourism Review - ‘2016 tourism arrivals a real success story’
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=252405

Spreading the Creole culture over the world through Kreol Magazine

18-February-2017
Georgina Dhillon is a Seychellois who spent much of her childhood and early teenage years living in the Seychelles and elsewhere in Africa. Her desire to encourage the world to feel Seychelles and Creole culture led her to develop a lifestyle magazine, Kreol Magazine, dedicated to the people and places across five continents that comprise the Creole-speaking identity.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=252927

Tourism board launches new blog
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253010

Tourists in awe after meeting the president of Seychelles
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253018

AVANI Seychelles hosts first airline festival

27-February-2017


AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa hosted its first airline festival on Saturday evening at the hotel’s premises.

Representative of the different airlines serving the Seychelles route were present.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253045

Tourism students urged to “look and be smart”
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253083

Roadshows propel Seychelles back in action on South African market
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253073

Seychelles delegation head to Germany for annual ITB tourism trade fair
The Seychelles tourism industry will once again be present with a 40-member delegation at the upcoming ITB Berlin tourism trade fair to be held from March 8-12.

The delegation will be headed by the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Maurice Loustau-Lalanne. A team from the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) comprising chief executive Sherin Francis, director for Europe Bernadette Willemin, regional manager Edith Hunzinger and marketing executive Natacha Servina will also be present at ITB Berlin.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253126

Air Seychelles’ new Düsseldorf flights in the spotlight at ITB Berlin
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253204

High-profile attendance at ITB Berlin 2017 - Seychelles shines at world’s largest tourism fair
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253229

Tourism minister continues visit to Mahé’s establishments
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253217

Seychellois girl to represent local resort in Europe
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253216

Lasanble i ganny plis detay lo sa 18 proze lotel ki’n aprouve
Lasanble i ganny plis detay lo sa 18 proze lotel ki’n aprouve

15-March-2017
Bann manm Lasanble Nasyonal ti yer ganny plis detay lo sa 18 proze gran lotel ki’n ganny pibliye lo en lalis resaman ki zot konstriksyon pa pe ganny afekte par sa moratoryonm.


Sa ti swiv en Private Notice Question (PNQ) par dirizan lopozisyon Wavel Ramkalawan.

Kestyon ki i ti demande ti annan 6 parti e ti lir konm swivan:
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=253273

Tourism Ball 2017

02-October-2017
Tourism pioneers unveiled, remarkable contributors recognised

The names of eight tourism pioneers have been unveiled, Beachcomber a hotel brand, a small tourism business teaching culture and heritage to visitors considered an inspiring innovative entrepreneurial idea and a former tourism minister have also been recognised.
This was on Saturday evening during the Tourism Ball, a glamorous event which was this year held at Eden Bleu and it marked the crux of Tourism Week.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=255913

Eight pioneers of tourism industry honoured

03-October-2017

Eight more pioneers of the tourism industry have been honoured with the engraving of their names at what has been named the Seychelles Tourism Pioneer Park (STPP).

They are the late former president Sir James R. Mancham, Louis D’Offay of Hotel L’Archipel, Maryse Eichler from the hotel school, Zita Monthy from Carefree Guest House and Restaurant, Raymond Delorie of Beau Vallon Beach Hotel, Adrien Michel of Continental Hotel, John de Malta Mascarenhas of Hotel de Mascarenhas and Richard Mancham of Continental Hotel.

Their names have been added on a list of other remarkable and significant contributors to the building of Seychelles tourism industry engraved on ceramic tiles displayed on concrete pillars erected at the park located at the entrance of the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA), La Misère.
The ceremony took place yesterday morning at the academy in the presence of the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the principal of STA Flavien Joubert, the chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Sherin Francis, STA and STB staff, along with the students undertaking the Tourism and Tour Guiding course at the academy.
Earlier names on the list include those of Robert Michaud of Northolme Hotel, Gerard Legrand of Hotel Des Seychelles, Marcel Le Marchand of Hotel Des Palmes and Henry Savy of Raffles Hotel.
Minister Loustau-Lalanne said it is vital to remember pioneers’ inputs in our industry.
“This location at the gate of the STA was chosen for the main reason to all young people with an interest in the tourism industry. The fact that it has blossomed over the years is thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals who have been instrumental to make our tourism industry the pillar of our economy,” he said.
He added those pioneers have dedicated their lives to create a more vibrant Seychelles, and allowing visitors to have a wonderful experience.
“In most cases these pioneers set out into uncharted waters with few points of reference beyond their own desire and determination to see Seychelles’ nascent tourism industries flourish,” he said.
It was the former President James Michel who opened the park in 2015.
Mr Joubert said students at the academy take pride in having the STPP to enhance their knowledge.
“With this pioneers’ park at the academy, students will start here, to learn about our pioneers who have their names on these walls, who dedicated their lives, energy and know-how for our tourism industry to be the success that it is today,” he said.
The names of the eight tourism pioneers were announced during the tourism ball on Saturday.
Speaking to the media after the unveiling of the names, the chief executive of STB Sherin Francis pointed out that such initiative started two years ago, to give value to individuals who have contributed in the tourism industry.
“We invited the public to nominate individuals who can become tourism pioneer; we have a very long list of around 100 names. We will try our best to continue with such tradition,” she said.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=255940

SriLankan Airlines celebrates first anniversary of service to Seychelles

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=256393

Tourism minister leads Seychelles’ delegation at WTM 2017 in London

Seychelles was represented by a strong delegation at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) in London.
The WTM is one of the leading global events for the travel and tourism industry. This year’s event was held from November 6 to 8.
The country’s Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, and the high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Derick Ally, were present at the Seychelles’ stand on the opening day.
The Seychelles delegation also consisted of representatives of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) led by its chief executive, Sherin Francis. She was accompanied by the regional director for Europe, Bernadette Willemin, director for UK & Ireland, Christine Vel, marketing executive at the UK office, Eloise Vidot and marketing executive from the head office, Myra Fanchette.
A total of 13 companies, including the national airline, hotels and destination management companies (DMCs) graced the Seychelles stand at this year’s WTM.
Participating partners included: Air Seychelles - Christine Ozouf; Alphonse Island Lodge Ltd. – Amanda Lang & Jordyn Mackenzie; Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort and Casino - Wendy Tan; Coco De Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites - Ash Behari; Creole Travel Services - Blaisila Hoffman, Guillaume Albert & Eric Renard; Eden Island Seychelles/Luxury Accommodation – Justin Arenhold; Hilton Seychelles - Britta Krug & Andre Borg; Kempinski Seychelles Resort – MarKo Dobrus; Masons Travel - Amy Michel & Lenny Alvis; Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa – Lauren Mills & Len Jackson; Raffles Seychelles – Joerg Roferberg & Alexa Sinzig-Mootoo; and 7° South - Anna Butler-Payette.
Over 4,500 exhibitors representing every sector in the global travel industry, including airlines, tourist boards, luxury resorts and technology specialists took part in the event. A mixture of businesses from large corporations to small entrepreneurs were represented. Aside of showcasing world travel and tourism, WTM London provides the opportunity for industry professionals to network, build contact and discuss business opportunities. Now in its 38th year, this is the event where the travel industry conducts and concludes business deals.
Minister Loustau-Lalanne and Mrs Francis used the opportunity to conduct various meetings with travel trade professionals.
They both were also interviewed by a number of high profile media organisations including the BBC, Sky news, Euronews among others.
Mrs Francis said: “UK is a fast growing market and so far all signs are showing that the market will stay buoyant. A lot of efforts have been invested in getting the travel trade onboard and the figures have shown that the strategy has yielded positive results. WTM London has given us the chance to further strengthen existing relationships and to forge new ones for 2018.”
To note that the United Kingdom, which is currently the fifth leading market for Seychelles, is one that has witnessed remarkable progress and exponential growth in recent years.
The growth has been hugely supported by the UK travel trade.
STB’s regional director for Europe, Bernadette Willemin, said: “With such a delegation and support of the local trade partners being represented at WTM this year, it will hopefully entice growing confidence among the UK travel operators and agents to continue selling the destination and increase the UK sales figures. The outlook on the UK market currently looks positive and should this trend continue, it is hoped that it will emerge as a primary market for the Seychelles.”
According to statistics, the UK has sent 19,330 visitors to Seychelles up to November 5 this year, representing a 19 percent growth when compared to the same period in 2016.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=256485

Marivel and Cox brings better services to the hospitality industry

14-November-2017


In recent years, the economy of Seychelles has expanded to include a variety of industries, with tourism becoming a particular focus.
Tourism is the pillar of the Seychelles economy; to better serve our tourism industry we need all the resources and knowledge from experts from such industry.
It was in this context that the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) in collaboration with Marivel and Cox Training and Consulting (MCTC), organised a one-day presentation of the MCTC Company to the hospitality industry as well as to other service sectors.
MCTC is a partnership between Marc Marivel and Nathalie Cox, and offers training and consulting services to the hospitality industry as well as other service sectors.
The team of training consultants has a proven track record of coincidently providing high quality services in their respective fields. The training consultants work alongside their clients, helping individuals, teams and organizations achieve mutually agreed objectives.
MCTC partners with hospitality professionals boasting many years of international experience, at operational as well as management levels, in some of the finest hotels in Mauritius and other countries.
The presentation took place last week at the STA in the presence of its principal Flavien Joubert, among other guests.
Mr Marivel stated that their objectives are to instill quality knowledge into the hospitality industry in Seychelles.
Mr Marivel is also an experienced hospitality training professional with a career spanning over more than 40 years in the hotel industry. He holds a master in business administration with specialisation in human resource management. He is also a master coach certified by the Behavioural Coaching Institute, UK, as well as an accredited facet five personality inventory administrator.
“The firm provides training and consulting services to the hospitality industry as well as other service sector. We want to offer our services in Seychelles, so with the help of STA we managed to introduce our firm to the hospitality sector as well
as other service sectors,” he said.
On her side Ms Cox added that the firm started in 2016 to brighten the tourism industry.
She is a seasoned consultant and trainer in the field of hospitality. She has a proven track record in the field of quality improvement through the setting up and follows through of standards and objectives. She has also worked mainly in Mauritius, Seychelles and Dubai as consultant and training manager.
“We are proud to have brought our service to Seychelles. We want to develop such partnership and hope that we can deliver our knowledge to the hospitality industry in Seychelles,” she said.
The firm provides training in technical services, supervisory and management development, hospitality soft skills, customer service education, team building workshop, human resources audits among others.

If you want to get the services of MCTC, contact the firm via email on marc@marivel-cox.com or mmarivel@intnet.mu.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=256528

Biennale 2017 side exhibitions - Pierre Corsini showcases ‘Monuments and Moments’

25-November-2017
An exhibition assembled by Pierre Corsini showcasing a series of stunning photographs taken on a range of islands in Seychelles is on at the Hilton Labriz jetty in Bel Ombre.
The exhibition entitled ‘Monuments and Moments’ is part of the Seychelles Biennale 2017 and it was officially opened on Tuesday in the presence of the chief executive of National Arts Council (Nac) Jimmy Savy, members of the National Assembly, members of the diplomatic corps, Biennale 2017 artists, among other distinguished guests.
Mr Corsini was born and raised in Turkey, has a French-Italian father and Seychellois mother. He has been living in Seychelles for the past couple of years while photographing numerous islands.
When it comes to photography, Mr Corsini tries to find various elements that might seem very different from one another and show life as being interconnected and interdependent in a mysterious way.
Pierre Corsini“If by looking at these photographs you experience even a little of the same awe and sense of the vastness, timelessness and eternity that I saw through the view finder, then it will all have been worth it,” he said.
He says he has always been fascinated by the nature of Seychelles and he wanted to express himself and record the mysterious beauty around him in a different way.
“The word monument depicts the series of trees, rocks and driftwoods which are in my opinion as impressive or perhaps superior to human design. The moments is about the animals, namely the tortoises and birds who seem to live on different time scales. I am particularly interested in the forms of nature as I believe nature reveals a hidden beauty, ordinary miracles that we often miss,” he said.
During the opening Mr Savy said as we are moving towards new frontiers in the arts, they are convinced the ‘Monuments and moments’ exhibition will be an inspiration to all viewers.
The general manger of Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort and Spa Andre Borg said Hilton is always on the search for local artists to exhibit their work on Silhouette island.
“Now we have an art gallery at Hilton Labriz Silhouette which is composed of more than ten local artists who have their beautiful mural in the gallery and here the jetty lounge is where the whole experience starts and ends for our guests so they have the opportunity to appreciate local art because they get to soak into the culture while leaving and coming to the island,” he said.
The islands featured in the photographs are namely Cerf, Mahé, Praslin, Bird, La Digue, Moyenne, Silhouette and Ile Cachée.
The exhibition will remain open for about six months and for those who are interested to purchase the artist’s work or to work on a future project with Mr Corsini do not hesitate to contact pierre.corsini@students.mq.edu.au or 2565946.


http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=256683

Tourism review 2017

30-December-2017
Going from strength to strength

Seychelles’ tourism industry is one that has continued to go from strength to strength in 2017, in spite of its share of challenges.
This year has been hailed as another successful one for the industry that has always been and remains the mainstay of the economy, with yet another record in visitor arrivals.
With only one day remaining for year-end, the number of tourists that have come to Seychelles has increased by 16 percent over last year.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=257152

The above comment about then Virgilan Company and the stack of dehusked Coco de Mer  pre Independence the starting of the Fishing Industry ion that Sechelles Seychelles my contribution in helping , custom clearance and shipping the major Russian contract then - the Coco de Mer of Sir James Mancham in  Salzburg those who attended the Salzburg Festival and those who stayed at the elite Hotel  and the media and  University -His government then Coup d'etat our mentioning that we had already started deploying some form of working for our Community across the EU and the Coat of Arms Project what this meant then and encountering the Royal Coco de Mer at the Hoffbourg how the Austrian elite politicians, business entities, media and Illuminati handle this issues, much more important the debacle of Starting an Air Seychelles those involved in Vienna,  the same  company flew Emperor Bokassa crowning Gown  and they had offered to use their knowledge and plane to start the first Air Seychelles, the Prof Dr Micheal Hofmann  and his Friends  - our.my personal impute in the Air Bus project, Euro fighter  and the many merger and acquisition of European Air line Industry  and Boeing issues and finally this Autumn Air Austria land in Seychelles - Point Larue, it had to pass by the Old Property of " Mogador ex Sir Clement Nageon and Judge E J Stiven place" - wish Sir James Mancham  had been alive would have pulled his socks. Then US, British, Italian, South African, Israel, French Intelligence in Vienna  1978/79 - we flew from London to Vienna on an Austrian Air Line to exile with my then Austrian Family Son and wife. "More challenge was the issue of then IBM its global control in Computer science and development with those from the then High Interdisciplinary Management Vienna University - began the mega battle to promote then young Bill Gate Microsoft concept to what it became the media manure somebody ought to given Mr Bill Gate and his quadrillion Dollar a few glasses of Red Austrian wine from the Royal Coco De Mer in Hoffburg. " That Royal Coco de mer in Hoffburg has caused so much in Austria - many European, USSR, COMECON and Arab debacle several books need to be written to share the issues,

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=257152

Record 349,861 visitors land in Seychelles in 2017
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=257217

Austria among the Seychelles’ top 6 leading markets at the start of 2018
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=257703

Tourism ministry to crack down on illegal tourism accommodation

08-March-2018


The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine has reiterated that tourism establishments offering accommodation to tourists without a proper and valid license will face legal action as from March 13.
These tourism establishments had been given to either regularise their activity or stop doing it altogether as the deadline of March 12 approaches.
The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne and the director for the department of Tourism Louis Denousse yesterday morning updated the local press on the work the department of Tourism has been doing since announcing the three-month moratorium on December 12.
The department is also offering to help accommodation owners to come forward to seek advice and assistance.
The department of Tourism has been working endlessly to try and find the best solution to address the issue of illegal tourism accommodation in the country.
“We have received more than 160 calls from different people, we have visited more than 50 sites/establishments where tourists are being accommodated illegally and more still remain to be visited,” Minister Loustau-Lalanne pointed out.
He said there remain another 100 or more which are yet to make their decisions known.
A task force comprising representatives from the department of Tourism, the police and the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) will as from March 13 randomly visit all the establishments which have been listed as providing illegal and unlicensed accommodation to visitors.
If visitors are found staying at those establishments during the time these visits are being conducted, measures will be taken to transfer them to licensed tourism accommodations while the owners will be dealt with according to the law.
“Evidence required will be collected in order to prosecute the non-complying establishments owners,” Minister Loustau-Lalanne stated.
He explained that since December last year, visitors disembarking at the airport and booked at those illegal tourism establishments, are detected and intercepted by immigration officers, with information available from a master list. They then direct the visitors to the tourist information office in the arrival lounge and they are re-booked in a licensed accommodation.
Evidence is gathered at the same time and handed over to the Seychelles Licensing Authority to pursue further investigation and subsequently build a case to be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General so that the owner of the establishment can be prosecuted.
Minister Loustau-Lalanne stated that two to three visitors booked in illegal accommodations are detected every week by immigration officers. This clearly shows the extent of the problem the tourism industry is facing.
“As from March 13, the investigations into those cases will be intensified in preparation for prosecution. The penalty under the SLA law is a fine of up to R50,000 and a jail sentence of one up to five years depending on the severity of the case,” Minister Loustau-Lalanne said.
One of the arguments that has come out strongly from the discussions officials from the tourism department have had with the accommodation owners they have visited is the high costs to renovate and upgrade their establishments.
Minister Loustau-Lalanne explained that there are currently in the country over 450 Seychellois-owned small tourism establishments licensed and up to standard.
“We are prepared to work with those that have not yet complied and give them more time to upgrade their facilities in order to help them meet the required standards. We know it will take time to do certain modifications, go through the planning process but we are glad to help them,” Minister Loustau-Lalanne added.
Requirements to meet the standards requested by the department of Tourism are clear. These tourism accommodations should not be in a high density area, nine - square metres minimum for a bedroom, four sq m for a bathroom, six sq m for a kitchen and a spacious verandah and dining area.
The ministry is calling on all accommodation owners to do the necessary to regularise their situation and contribute their share in the development of the tourism sector, the country’s economy as well as protect the image of the Seychelles’ tourism industry abroad.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=257958

Seychelles wins 2018 Tourism Award by UK’s LUX magazine
Seychelles wins 2018 Tourism Award by UK’s LUX magazine