Archives for July 2021

A new attraction is opening on August 2 at Frankfurt Airport: the multimedia Fraport Visitor Center in Terminal 1, Hall C, will welcome its first guests just in time for the summer travel season.

Visitors not only learn about the airport’s day-to-day operations; they also have the opportunity to review its history, discover aviation technologies, and consider the future of flight.

The exhibits invite guests to interact and immerse themselves. In one game, visitors put their marshalling skills to the test by guiding an Airbus A320neo to its parking position. A further highlight is a virtual-reality ride through the airport’s baggage handling system. Fraport CEO Dr. Stefan Schulte stated: “Our multimedia Visitor Center allows people to better understand and experience first-hand the diverse and highly complex airport world. The new attraction will also be key to strengthening long-term dialogue with our local community and guests from other parts of Germany and the world.”

“The Globe” is the most technologically sophisticated exhibit in the Visitor Center. This interactive LCD wall visualizes all active flights around the world in real time. It is made up of 28 individual displays, combined to create a single screen spanning some 25 square meters. The system is truly unique: nowhere else is capable of depicting thousands of flight movements in such detail. Flight data for The Globe are provided by FlightAware, a U.S. flight tracking platform. Fraport partners with FlightAware to process data required for operations at Frankfurt Airport. In particular, the data provided by FlightAware allow better planning of airport processes.

The Fraport Visitor Center was completed in fall 2020, following two years of construction, at a cost of approximately 5.7 million euros. “We had to postpone its opening multiple times due to the pandemic. I am therefore all the more pleased to now unveil our new visitor attraction at Frankfurt Airport. The center turns the spotlight on the fascinating world of airport life,” explained Anke Giesen, member of Fraport’s executive board and Executive Director of Retail and Real Estate.

Tickets to the center must be purchased online in advance at www.fra-tours.com/en . Booking confirmation is required to gain admission. Currently, tickets are not available at the airport itself.

The Fraport Visitor Center will be open daily from 11 am to 7 pm. The standard entry price for adults is 12 euros. A reduced price of 10 euros is available for eligible guests with corresponding ID. Children under four enter free of charge. During the current regional school vacation, ending August 27, guests will be able to park for one hour free of charge in the airport’s public garages; the parking slip must be brought to the Visitor Center’s reception desk for validation.

The Fraport Visitor Center can also be booked as an exclusive venue for events. It is equipped with the latest presentation technology, and the one-of-a-kind airport panorama makes it an ideal backdrop for product launches, press conferences and sundowner parties.

Media Contact:

Jana Schäfer
Corporate Communications
Media Relations
Phone+49 69 690-30714
[email protected]

Tourism Seychelles launched its 2021 annual mid-year review and marketing consultations with local tourism partners on Tuesday, July 27, to review the performance of the destination to date and discuss and adjust plans for the second part of the year.

Seychelles recently recorded its highest weekly visitor arrivals since the onset of the pandemic in March 2021, with 5,367 visitors in Week 29 of 2021, or just 22% below that of the same week in 2019, industry stakeholders learned.

Held over the virtual platform ZOOM, the consultations, which will run over the next two weeks, kicked off with a brief address by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ambassador Sylvestre Radegonde, to industry stakeholders in Seychelles and the Tourism Department’s staff across the world. This was followed by a presentation of the department’s strategy by the Principal Secretary for Tourism (PS), Mrs. Sherin Francis.

Addressing the industry partners, Minister Radegonde highlighted that aside from the ongoing pandemic, which is slowing down travel around the world, the local tourism industry is facing many challenges, hindering the growth of the industry. The Minister gave his reassurance that the Tourism Department is working closely with the tourism stakeholders and various government organizations to review the products offered in Seychelles and provide better services to its visitors.

Minister Radegonde commented that he is greatly encouraged by the steady growth in visitor arrival numbers, and the balanced distribution of the visitors across sizes of establishments and the various islands.

In her presentation, PS Francis provided a global overview of the current state of the local tourism industry, commenting on the impact of the global uncertainties on Seychelles’ economy as well as providing an outline of the forecast against the current arrivals numbers and forward bookings held, which show expected growth over the next two quarters.

Summarizing the arrival numbers from January 12021, to date, she shared that the destination has recorded 62,238 visitors, with almost 95%, or 59,218 visitors, arriving after March 25, following the final phase of the border re-opening.

Mrs. Francis also revealed that Seychelles had recently achieved a high point in weekly visitor arrivals since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, welcoming in Week 29 of 2021 a total of 5,367 visitors, which is just 88% of the 6,844 visitors recorded during Week 29 of 2019 (pre-pandemic).

Going forward, PS Francis affirmed the Tourism Department’s commitment to the strategy presented earlier this year by the destination’s previous and now dissolved marketing body, the Seychelles Tourism Board.

Reassuring stakeholders of the Tourism Department’s reliance on data driven strategies, PS Francis said that they will keep refining their digital marketing tactics, using newly-identified trends to target potential visitors. A major part of the strategy for the coming months will be focused on the delivery of more impactful and targeted campaigns, she affirmed.

The agenda over the coming days will feature one-on-one consultations hosted by Tourism Seychelles’ team overseas with local industry partners to discuss the current and forecasted situations in each market.

The mid-year marketing review and consultations will conclude on August 6, 2021.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tourism Seychelles, [email protected] 

Jamaica Minister of Tourism and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), Edmund Bartlett, has announced that discussions are now underway for the establishment of a satellite center of the GTRCMC in Nigeria.             

Speaking during a meeting earlier yesterday with the new Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Maureen Tamuno, at the Minister’s New Kingston offices, Bartlett shared that: “We would like to visit Abuja in the near future to formalize the arrangements to establish the second African Satellite Centre for the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC).” 

Bartlett added that: “In the interim we will provide all the information that is required to enable the establishment of the Centre. We have now the basis on which the infrastructure can be established, and we also have the will and the Human capital involvement. I would love for Nigeria being the first centre established in West Africa.”  

The first satellite centre of the GTRCMC was established in Kenya, at the Kenyatta University. It is a regional satellite centre, with responsibility for East Africa, and collaborates with the international GTRCMC, located at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica.  

“The Centre in Nigeria will be a good complement to the centre already established in Kenya, because they are two of the most important African countries that the world understands. Nigeria is number one – known for having the strongest economy, largest population, and you have done something exciting with Nollywood, which has left a great cultural imprint on the world,” said Minister Bartlett.  

The arrangement would see the satellite center being established at a University selected by the Nigerian government, which would collaborate with The University of the West Indies, where the GTRCMC is based. The ultimate purpose of the Centre is to assist destination preparedness, management, and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally. 

The GTRCMC, which was first announced in 2017, operates in a global context that is characterized by not only new challenges, but also new opportunities for tourism in an effort to improve the tourism product as well as to ensure the sustainability of tourism globally.  

Since its initial opening, the center has broadened its reach with the establishment of satellite centers in various regions. The satellite centers will focus on regional issues and will share information in Nano time with the GTRCMC. They will then function as think tanks to develop possible solutions. 

The discussion comes on the heels of a recent visit to Kenya, where Minister Bartlett, who is also Co-Chair of the GTRCMC and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, and Chairman of the GTRCMC – Eastern Africa, Najib Balala signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for the two centres to work together to develop policy and conduct relevant research on destination preparedness, management and recovery. The Minister and High Commissioner also discussed increasing air connectivity between Jamaica and Nigeria during their meeting.

Media Contact: 

Corporate Communications Division 

Ministry of Tourism 

64 Knutsford Boulevard 

Kingston 5 

Telephone: 920-4924, 

Fax: 906-019 

Or 

Kingsley Roberts 

Senior Director, Corporate Communications 

Ministry of Tourism 

64 Knutsford Boulevard 

Kingston 5 

Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990 

Cell: (876) 505-6118 

Fax: 920-4944 

The end of a journey is always the hardest part, but you don’t have to say goodbye to paradise as you leave the Seychelles Islands. The archipelago offers you an array of gifts to share with your loved ones or to simply cherish in remembrance of your exotic escape.

Scents of Seychelles

Visit the lush rainforests and sandy beaches of the islands without leaving your home with scents from locally-produced perfume lines. Inspired by the aroma of exotic flora of Seychelles, these perfumes will seduce you with sultry vanilla, sweet-tangy lemongrass and warm musky tones. Some of these local scents are produced at the oldest perfume manufacturing laboratory in the region. Sure to impress, these fragrances will be adored by your loved ones and transport you back to the tropics.

Show your body some love with some local inspired body products made right here in pristine paradise! Covered in exotic flora, the islands have a range of natural, organic ingredients that have been blended to cater for your every skin requirement by locally produced brands. Grainy scrubs take you back to the sandy shores and exfoliate your skin, and a range of moisturizers with hints of warm vanilla, fresh sea salt and sweet citronella to give your skin that tropical glow.

A jewel from the Garden of Eden

The Seychelles Islands is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, one of them being the Vallée de Mai, rumored to be the home of the Garden of Eden. The lush haven on Praslin hosts a trove of treasures including the unique Coco de Mer palm, which happens to produce the world’s largest nut, endemic to the islands. You can show off this one-of-a-kind nut by whisking one or two home with you. Getting your hands on a Coco de Mer is simpler than one can imagine; simply head over to either the kiosks on Frances Rachel Street in Victoria, the Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF) or Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA) and purchase one of your choosing, making sure it carries an authenticity certificate to show it has been legally obtained, and not poached. Head over to the National Biosecurity Agency at Orion Mall, Victoria to ensure you experience no troubles at the airport. The provocative pelvis-shaped nut – each one is different – is sure to create conversations about your holiday in paradise.

Creole crafts

Uniquely handcrafted souvenirs made with love always have a special place in one’s heart. The tropical destination is renowned for its beautiful locally made products using materials supplied by nature such as coconut shells, dried leaves and wood. The Domaine de Val de Près Craft Village is home to many of these gifts, amongst them coconut bowls and batik clothing. Camion Hall, kiosks and souvenir shops scattered around the capital, Victoria or at villages around the islands offer an array of choices amongst them braided bags and hats. Children will in particular love the exotic locally sewn dolls, turtles and tortoises. Popular amongst visitors and residents, Seychelles-inspired handmade jewelry, whether precious metals or costume, can be chosen from one of the many souvenir shops across the island or from local brands. Hand-printed pareos designed to reflect the natural beauty of Seychelles can also be found at these shops and you can even purchase some at workshops such as Roots Seychelles where you can see how they are made.

Flavors from the melting pot

Bring the bursting flavors of creole cuisine home to your loved ones, give their tastebuds an experience unlike any other with the spices and blends that can be found at the local market or at the original spice garden of Jardin du Roi at Anse Royale. Make a lasting impression on palates back home with right saffron, rich masala, warm cinnamon, sweet nutmeg, silky vanilla. And make sure to purchase a book on Seychellois Creole cuisine from local bookstores to help you recreate the ambiance of the Seychelles islands once you are back home.

Archipelago Art

Fishermen returning to shore with fresh fish, women making their way through lush vegetation, a vivid spread of local dishes, surreal scenery and other illustrations of the colourful creole culture come to life through the work of local artists. Fall in love with stunning creole paintings and sculptures at the various galleries on Mahé, as well as Praslin and the other islands and take them home to remind you of the charms of Seychelles.

Enchant your loved ones with illustrated tales of the islands and their history throughthe writings of authors from Seychelles and other countries from across the globe which can be purchased in local bookstores and the National Museum of History in Victoria.   

MEDIA CONTACT: Tourism Seychelles, [email protected]   

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (BMOTA) team returns to the 2021 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh Show, July 25-August 1, in Wisconsin. Last year, the show was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Deemed the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” and the largest aviation show in the world, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, prior to COVID-19, attracted in excess of 600,000 aviation enthusiasts; 10,000 aircraft; and almost 1,000 media professionals from around the world. 

The Bahamas team, comprised of tourism, aviation, and customs officials, is being led by Mr. Reginald Saunders, Permanent Secretary, BMOTA and Mr. Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, Deputy Director General, BMOTA, who will also meet one-on-one with leading aviation industry partners to discuss business opportunities for The Bahamas. 

The leading destination in the Caribbean region for general aviation and private pilot arrivals, The Bahamas is also the first nation to welcome private pilots who operate under BasicMed, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) new medical recertification program. 

The Bahamas is also one of only three countries (including USA and Canada) that are part of the International Federal Partnership (IFP) organization, which has a bilateral agreement with EAA, and are all located at Hanger D, the IFP Pavilion.

The Bahamas was also one of the first countries to open its borders quickly and safely to private pilots and boaters, utilizing its aggressive and strict health and safety protocols.  To learn more about flying to The Bahamas and its health travel protocols, visit www.bahamas.com.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy flyaway escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating, birding and nature-based activities, thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and pristine beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It’s Better in The Bahamas.

MEDIA CONTACT:  D. Earnestine Moxyz, Ph:  954-236-9292, [email protected]