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Archives for June 2019

Travellanda Ltd. identified in London Stock Exchange Group’s “1000 Companies to Inspire Britain” 2019 report

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Travellanda has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2019. The report is a celebration of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), with companies representing over 40 sectors and spanning every country and region across the UK.

To be selected for the list, businesses had to demonstrate not only positive revenue growth over the last three years but also outperform their sector peers. The result is a unique and varied list of the UK’s most dynamic companies. More details on the Companies to Inspire reports and methodology can be found online at 1000companies.com.

As a leading B2B Accommodation Wholesaler, Travellanda is one of the travel industry’s fastest growing companies. Through cutting edge technology, it provides highly competitive wholesale rates on an inventory of over 300,000 hotels worldwide. Using the Travellanda XML Connectivity, Online Reservation System or White Label solution, travel agencies, tour operators, B2B online systems and OTA’s have access to a wide range of hotels and apartments from self-catering and one-star accommodation to deluxe five-star properties. Travellanda’s head office is in London and it has local offices in Bangkok and Istanbul.

Amir Gharizadeh, Director of Travellanda (pictured above) said: “Maintaining a high growth rate when one is a young company is a real mark of success but managing to maintain a high growth rate as one grows is truly exceptional. I am incredibly proud of our team and hugely grateful to every single member of staff for their tremendous efforts and dedication.”

David Schwimmer, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group: “Congratulations to all the companies selected for inclusion in the sixth edition of London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report, which identifies the UK’s most dynamic SMEs. SMEs drive growth, innovation and job creation and are the lifeblood of the British economy. We believe that supporting the growth of these businesses is critical to the UK economy and the creation of a society that works for everyone.”

MEDIA CONTACT: +44 (0) 203 384 5410, [email protected]  

Seychelles key collaborators on the Brazilian market receive a taste of the islands following recent visit of the head of Seychelles Tourism Board

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The Seychelles multicolored flag was held high on the South American continent as the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis held an official mission visit in Brazil from June 16, 2019 to June 18, 2019.

Mrs. Francis’ visit, which was her first on the territory, was mainly purposed as a fact-finding mission and an opportune chance to meet the STB team as well as the travel trade there.

As part of her mission in Brazil, the STB Chief Executive met with key partners on the market specially in São Paulo in order to understand the Brazilian market dynamics better and to find ways to grow the business further.

On the first day of her visit, Mrs. Francis conducted a training seminar for 13 tourism professionals at Teresa Perez, one of the most important luxury travel company in the region.  The meeting was an opportune time to also answer various questions on the destination.

A similar session was conducted at Copastur Prime; the presentation was held in front of a live audience and was recorded so as it could be broadcast to all their employees. Mrs. Francis provided answers to the questions from their team regarding Seychelles and she explained some best strategies for sales.

Seychelles represented by Mrs. Francis was also featured on a live broadcast talk show for the benefit of all the sales team from Primetour- a company focused on high-end clients-, Primetour’s travel professional and its accredited agents.

On the second day of her visit, the STB Chief Executive met with representatives from four airline companies-including Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways and Turkish Airlines- all connecting Seychelles to Brazil. During her meetings, Mrs. Francis invited the airline companies to participate in a campaign to increase sales to the archipelago and discuss other strategies to promote flights to the destination.

The pinnacle of this official mission was a special event organised by the STB team in Brazil for 11 journalists and digital influencers during which Mrs. Francis offered a cooking workshop to the media professionals.

The STB Chief Executive showed the media guests attending the event how to create a few authentic creole dishes, such as chicken curry, papaya and mango chutneys and lentils, as she engaged them in a Q&A  session during which she provided some interesting facts and information, about the Coco De Mer and the destination.

The media professional attending the session had an opportunity to experience a taste of the Seychelles Islands and shared photos and videos of their Creole lunch on social media to their huge network of fans and followers.

The event was also broadcasted live on Instagram. Global Vision Access, STBs representative on the Brazilian market, recorded several short videos, which will be used for future promotion on social media throughout the year and for training seminars.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles charms featured at South Korea’s Hana Tour International Travel Show 2019 (HITS)

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Korean travelers and partners had a glimpse of the beauty of the destination as Seychelles featured at the 13th Hana Tour International Travel Show from June 7, 2019 to June 9, 2019 at KINTEX exhibition center, Goyang City in South Korea.

The three-day exhibition gathered the participation of over 700 organizations and companies, including tourism boards, airlines, and hotels.

Seychelles, represented by its marketing body the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) was lodged within an 18sqm stand with the destination brand image design focusing the beach the granite feature, which commanded the attention of many visitors to the stand.

The Seychelles delegation included Mrs. Amia Jovanovic-Desir, the Director for India, South Korea, Australia and South East Asia, Mrs. Judy Yun, newly appointed representative for the Seychelles on the South Korean market, Mr. Jean-Francois Figaro, Senior Officer – Strategic Planning & Market Intelligence and Ms. Jill Freminot- E-Marketing Executive.

Aside from meeting with the Seychelles team to discuss about the destination and its features, an assortment of events were organized at the stand to retain visitors’ interest. 

The activities included the spinning Roulette through which each participant had to mention the word Seychelles as many times as indicated in order to receive a branded water bottle. The spinning Roulette saw the participation of over 600 hundred visitors, which were a combination of families, couples and children.

Visitors were also invited to take a photograph at our stand with the Seychellois staff and the iconic Coco-de-Mer, the heaviest and largest nut in the world. Visitors then were invited to upload the photo on their social media page with the hashtags #Seychelles #HITS.

The highlight of the STB’s participation at the HANA 2019 remains the lucky draw, which saw the signing up of more than 5,000 visitors, all wishing to be the lucky winner of a return trip to Seychelles for two persons.

During the 3 days, the various visitors- including individual visitors -FIT, potential honeymooners, as well as retirees showed their extensive interest in Seychelles as a holiday destination. 

As part of its participation at the HANA 2019, the STB conducted a rigorous study on the Korean market.  The exercise was successfully conducted by STB the Senior Officer – Strategic Planning & Market Intelligence, Mr. Jean-Francois Figaro whose main objective was to facilitate the Consumer Insight Survey designed for this exhibition.

The aim of the study was to generate important insight into South Korea as a source market for the Seychelles and better understand the needs and desires of South Korean travelers.

Speaking about the collection of figure at the HANA 2019, the STB Director for India, South Korea, Australia and South East Asia, mentioned that it is essential for the tourism Board to have a better understanding of the challenges faced by the STB office in Korea and Korean Tour Operators in their attempt to successfully promote and sell the destination.

To achieve these objectives Mr. Figaro together with other members of the Seychelles team gathered responses from more than 275 participants over the three-day period through the administration of survey questionnaires.

The STB’s presence at the HANA 2019 caught the attention of numerous Korean Media representatives and STB Director for the market, Mrs. Jovanovic–Desir offered several media interviews to share the latest information and further promote the destination.

‘’Most of the tour operators and agents that we have met are focusing on the honeymooner’s segment and visitors who visited our stand believe that Seychelles is only for the high-end clients. I have thus informed them that Seychelles is a destination, which cater for demand from a broad range of income brackets.  We will continuously identify the appropriate marketing strategies and tools in order to increase the Seychelles’ image in South Korea, with the aim of changing this negative mind-set of the consumers,” said Mrs. Jovanovic-Desir.

“Seychelles is known as a dream and paradise holiday destination that people wish to visit once in their lifetime. This fair definitely allows increase Seychelles visibility and people’s awareness towards destination,” added Mrs. Yun.

While in South Korea, Mrs. Jovanovic-Desir together and Mr. Figaro guided by Mrs. Yun met with some key players and trade partners in Seoul in a series of sales calls organized ahead of time. These included visits to tour Operating Company including Honeymoon Resort, Mode Tour, Vanilla Island and Dream TNE.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]  www.seychelles.travel

Malta: A history lover’s paradise

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The Pre-History trail is the final addition to Malta Tourism Authority’s series of maps. Travellers can step back in time to see the vibrant past of this Mediterranean archipelago, which boasts a history that pre-dates the Egyptian pyramids by 1,000 years. The Maltese Islands have a bounty of incredible historical gems that include temples, churches, statues and catacombs with remains dating back to 4,000 BC.

Despite being one of the hottest destinations on the European map for contemporary nightlife and music festivals, the islands also offer a host of amazing experiences for culture lovers and history buffs. Sightseeing highlights include the magnificent Ggantija Temples on the island of Gozo, the eerie catacombs on the outskirts of the old Roman capital Mdina, and the educational archaeology museum in Malta’s capital, Valletta.

Pre-History Trail highlights include:

  • Ggantija Temples – These are the oldest free-standing structures in the world, predating the Egyptian Pyramids by 1,000 years.
  • Kordin Temples, Paola – The Kordin Temples were inhabited by many settlers throughout the years, including the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. Kordin III is the only temple from the three Corradino temples still standing today.
  • Saflieni Hypogeum, Paola – Discovered in 1902, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is an underground prehistoric burial site. The complex, made up of interconnecting rock chambers, was used for centuries and the earliest remains found date back to 4000 BC.
  • Ta’ Bistra Catacombs, Mosta – Excavated in 1933, the Ta’ Bistra catacombs are the second largest set of catacombs in Malta. The site is 300 feet long and consists of 57 tombs laid out in 16 chambers.
  • St. Paul’s Catacombs, Rabat – St. Paul’s Catacombs are the largest complex of interconnected, underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the 7th century AD in Malta. Located on the outskirts of the old Roman capital Mdina, St. Paul’s Catacombs represent the earliest and largest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta.

For more information or to download the map visit www.maltauk.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Williams, Emily Olsen or Georgia Gogarty at [email protected] or 020 73269880