Archives for August 2021

Escape to the turquoise waters of The Bahamas to explore ultimate island seclusion and marvel at the natural wonders beneath the surface. With new adventure-seeking excursions, renovated amenities and hot deals, travelers looking to book their next vacation are in for an unforgettable experience.

NEWS

UNEXSO Announces New Glass Bottom Boating Experience to Shark Junction – The most adventurous and thrill-seeking travelers can now enjoy the newest boat excursion from Port Lucaya, the Glass Bottom Boat to Shark Junction Tour, with three lively stops including the world famous “Shark Junction,” home to dozens of Caribbean Reef Sharks, nurse sharks and large stingrays.

Tiger Woods Returns to Albany for the 2021 Hero World Challenge – World-renowned golfer and luxury resort co-owner, Tiger Woods, prepares to host the 2021 Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas beginning Monday, November 29 – December 5, 2021, to support youth education across the globe. 

State-of-the-Art Superyacht Friendly Marina Opens in Walker’s Cay, Northern Abacos – Owners Carl and Gigi Allen welcome back fishermen to the boating capital of The Bahamas with the reopening of  Walker’s Cay. The newly enlarged marina can accommodate superyachts and plans to add additional amenities including a pool, spa and bungalows.

Tropic Ocean Airways Launches Airlift Services from Great Harbour Cay – Beginning September 2, Tropic Ocean Airways adds scheduled flight options to Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands. Floridians can now book stress-free services from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau, Bimini and The Berry Islands.

The Bahamas Nominated for “Caribbean’s Best Casino Destination 2021” – The Islands of The Bahamas have been nominated for the World Casino Awards. Travelers can cast their votes for free online now through October 15, 2021.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages .

Grab a Drink and Stay Awhile at Margaritaville Beach Resort – When staying 14 days or longer at Margaritaville Beach Resort, guests receive special pricing up to 40% off regular rates. Travel window is now through December 31, 2021.

$150 Fee Credit for Out Island Vacationers – Private pilots receive a $150 fee credit for a pre-booked two-night hotel stay at any participating Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board member property before October 31, 2021.

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 CONTACTS:

Anita Johnson-Patty

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

[email protected]  

Weber Shandwick

Public Relations 

[email protected]   

Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has revealed that work by the newly named Tourism Vaccination Task Force, which was established to facilitate the vaccination of all tourism workers island-wide, is well underway, with the roll-out of vaccination sites locally. The task force has organized a series of vaccination blitzes, which officially begin today (August 30), at strategic sites across the island. 

“The task force has been working assiduously since its first meeting on August 20, to ensure that we make it easier for our tourism workers to have access to the vaccines. We are so grateful to our partners who have made it possible for us to begin our series of vaccination blitzes today, which will undoubtedly bring us closer to our national goal of herd immunity,” said Minister Bartlett.

“Our target is to ensure that all 170,000 tourism workers are vaccinated and protected from the possible harm that can come from contracting the deadly COVID-19 virus and its variants. This will aid in our recovery efforts for the sector and by extension the country,” he added. 

Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett emphasized that “this initiative is aimed at encouraging our tourism workers to take the vaccine voluntarily, so vaccination is not mandated. The vaccination of tourism workers is key to tourism’s full recovery. So, I encourage all our tourism workers to get vaccinated to play your part in safeguarding our tourism sector.”

He outlined that vaccination blitzes are organized for the Pegasus, Kingston, today August 30, 2021; Sandals Negril, Negril on September 2, 2021, and at Moon Palace, Ochi Rios on September 3, 2021. The vaccination blitz to be hosted at Moon Palace, in particular, will target 1,000 tourism workers. 

The task force is working in tandem with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) and various tourism stakeholders, both within the public and private sectors, to streamline and expedite the vaccination of tourism workers.

The vaccination blitzes are being hosted in collaboration with the Private Sector Vaccine Initiative. The sites for Montego Bay, Port Antonio and the South Coast will be determined at a later date.

However, other proposed sites for future vaccination activities for the tourism sector include: Emancipation Park, Kingston; Harmony Beach Park, Montego Bay; Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier; Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth; and the Port Antonio Cruise Ship Pier. 

Among the persons being targeted are workers in hotels, villas and guest houses, attractions, airports, cruise ports, craft markets as well as ground transportation operators.

The task force, which was named by Minister Bartlett earlier this month, is co-chaired by the Tourism Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Jennifer Griffith, and President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Clifton Reader.

The other members include Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Ian Dear; Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Godrey Dyer; Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch; Director of Tourism, Donovan White; President and CEO, the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), Professor Gordon Shirley; Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), Joy Roberts; Acting Executive Director, TPDCo, Stephen Edwards; Executive Director of Chukka Caribbean Adventures and Chairman of the COVID-19 resilient corridors management team, John Byles;  Executive Chairman, Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart; First Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and former JHTA President, Nicola Madden-Greig; Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright; and General Manager of Deja Resorts, Robin Russell.  

The group will be expanded to include representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Jamaica Defense Force. The members of the task force, which met today, are expected to meet again later this week, to fine-tune arrangements to ensure the target of a fully vaccinated tourism workforce is met.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism 

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Telephone: 920-4924, 

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

Many small tourism accommodation providers are presenting top quality products, paying close attention to detail and operating on 5-star level standards, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, said on Friday, August 26, 2021, during a visit of small establishments at Bel Ombre.

Continuing with his mission to better understand the tourism industry and its players, the minister on Friday visited 15 small establishments, holding discussions with their owner/managers and staff and hearing first-hand the challenges they face and advising them on the opportunities available to them. Visiting these small establishments is extremely important as they need more support than larger establishments and carry the creole charm that is often lost in big chains and resorts, Minister Radegonde said.

Creole hospitality is a prized attribute and the hallmark of smaller actors within the tourism industry, he said. Cherished by many who visit Seychelles, this is something which visitors experience first-hand through their hosts in small establishments who make small gestures, whether it is greeting them with local beverages or treating them to a home-cooked meal, which many of them find themselves falling in love with as they discover the exotic flavors of creole cuisine.

Minister Radegonde was accompanied on his visit of La Maison Hibiscus, the Cove Holiday Apartment, Beach Cottages, Beach Cove, The Drake Sea Side Apartment, Surfers Cove, Treasure Cove, Daniella’s Bungalow, Casadani, Villa Rousseau, Forest Lodge, Le Chant de Merle, Bamboo River Lodge, The Palm Seychelles and Marie Laure Suites by the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis, as well as the elected Member of the National Assembly for Bel Ombre, Honorable Sandy Arissol.

August has been a busy month for most of the establishments visited, with many confirming that bookings are on the rise since the last phase of the re-opening of the country last March.

Speaking on how they have adapted to the situation, given the tailspin the industry went into, they highlighted that they turned to domestic tourism which has been a contributing factor in keeping their doors open.

With cancellations from international visitors becoming more frequent, establishment owners say they have adopted a more flexible approach which is bringing dividends, some guests postponing their stays instead of cancelling completely.

While many of the small tourism accommodation establishments are receiving guests from emerging source markets, there are a handful that are still dependent on the traditional ones. Minister Radegonde reminded them that they need to venture into markets with potential, such as Eastern Europe and the UAE, and review their marketing strategies to survive, which can be done under the guidance of the Department of Tourism.

The lack of a reliable workforce is one of their major challenges, they said, with most proprietors affirming that they try their best to maintain a purely Seychellois workforce. Although some have been successful in this endeavor, many stated that some of the local workforce is not dedicated to the industry and are unwilling to put in the required time and effort. Mr. Loizeau of Casadani pointed out that local labor is always preferable, however, once the non-workers are removed from our population, namely children, the elderly, the ones unable to work and those who refuse to, there is very little choice left and at some point, they have to seek labor from overseas.

Making more activities available for tourists within the destination was also a topic of discussion, many establishment owners finding their guests searching for things to do, an issue which Minister Radegonde responded to, reiterating that work is being done to change this as it not only gives visitors things to do but also reasons to stay longer in the destination and increasing spend, bringing revenue into the country.

Other concerns discussed included noise disturbances, pollution, littering and reduced access to the beach due to certain developments.    

Despite these challenges, the establishments had plenty of positive feedback, with many proprietors affirming that the country opened at the right time, giving them a chance to survive. The destination opening up before many others gave it a competitive edge, PS Francis responded, and the country’s sensible measures made it easier and more appealing for people to travel as the country receives visitors from even as far as Alaska.

Commenting on the visits, Honorable Arissol said that he found them to be fruitful as they engaged in interesting interactions with the establishment owners, learning more about their situation and concerns, which also included GOP-related issues and unreliable workers. He was also in agreement with Mr Rousseau of Forest Lodge, who stated that Seychelles Tourism Academy’s education program is fundamental to the industry and that the students need to understand that there is more hotel life which is demanding and requires sacrifice as well as passion.

Impressed by the establishments they visited, both Minister Radegonde and PS Francis commented on how some of these small establishments are presenting top quality products, paying close attention to detail and operating on 5-star level standards. 

The weekly visits are part of Minister Radegonde’s efforts in strengthening his relationship with actors within the local tourism industry which will facilitate his work in tackling the challenges faced by the industry under his portfolio.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tourism Seychelles, [email protected] 

In a meeting held at Botanical House on Friday, August 27, 2021, with tour guides to address discuss issues pertinent to their trade, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde expressed his satisfaction that, as with other partners, this group of tourism professionals are committed to the success of the industry.

Minister Radegonde stated, “One thing that is recurrent in our meetings with partners is their dedication to the success of our industry. I am glad that we all seem to be on the same page as to where we would like this industry to go.”

On the agenda for discussion at the meeting attended by the Principal Secretary for Tourism (PS), Sherin Francis, and other members of the department, were concerns put forward by the tour guides and the sharing of innovative solutions to tackle the current challenges the sector is facing. These included developing products to entice visitors to explore the various services and attractions available in the destination, lack of facilities, safety, inter-island tariffs for visitors, regulations and environmental concerns such as pollution.

Minister Radegonde reassured the tour guides of his ministry’s commitment and engagement, affirming that the Tourism Department is working closely with several agencies to address the various issues they are facing as well as creating opportunities for other lucrative ventures within the tourism industry.

“The Tourism Department is in discussion with the Office of the Mayor of Victoria and the Culture Department, amongst others, to ascertain that our small capital and other places of attraction offer memorable authentic creole experience to our visitors. Some of the concerns highlighted by our tour guides are being currently addressed by our department through the sections responsible and for the rest of the issues we face, discussions like these provide a platform for finding collective strategic solutions,” said Minister Radegonde.

PS Francis for her part stated that the discussion was timely in that it permitted her team to identify pressing matters affecting the local tour guides in line with the priorities of the Tourism Department in the development of new products for the industry.

“This meeting has brought to light many factors that can make the destination a more marketable one through the propositions of the two parties.  On our side, we are committed to work with our tour guides to increase their visibility through our destination website and other marketing tools. It is encouraging that our common goal is to improve the visitor’s experience, and as such the Tourism Department is also offering its support through the various projects we are currently driving to fill the existing gaps in our products,” said Mrs. Francis.

Seychelles counts 89 safe-certified independent tour guides operating around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tourism Seychelles, [email protected] 

Selo Group, an award-winning and fully integrated development company based in Singapore, today announced internationally-recognized chef and acclaimed restauranteur Will Meyrick as its new brand partner. 

Meyrick will bring his wealth of expertise to develop new culinary experiences and oversee the food and beverage programming for Selo’s real estate projects, including its award-winning flagship property Selong Selo Resort & Residences in Lombok, Indonesia.

“Will is very familiar with the Indonesian market and has been a successful businessman there for more than 25 years as the owner of several restaurants in Bali, so he is the perfect candidate to lead the culinary efforts for our projects,” said Andrew Corkery, Selo Group’s CEO. “We know our guests will enjoy his creativity, extensive knowledge and clear passion for travel and connection through food.”

A pioneer of the food realm, Meyrick has built a reputation on pushing boundaries.  His career led him from London to Sydney and eventually to Southeast Asia, where he is now settled.  After working at two leading restaurants in Sydney, Meyrick ventured to Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong for new opportunities and fell in love with the small island of Bali, where he established his eatery empire, Sarong Group. 

He has become a household name in Indonesia with seven successful restaurants under his belt, including the award-winning Sarong, Mama San, Hujan Locale in Ubud, Billy Ho Izakaya Japanese in Canggu, and Monsoon in Central, Hong Kong. In addition to his portfolio of restaurants and cookbooks, Meyrick can be seen in ongoing roles on national and international TV programs such as Indonesia’s Top Chef franchise and Back to the Streets on Asian Food Channel, as well as his own YouTube and Discovery Channel series.

Selong Selo Resort & Residences, which opened on the scenic coast of South Lombok in Indonesia in 2016, will be the first to see Meyrick’s culinary creations. The property is a 25-minute drive from the Lombok International Airport and offers more than 50 luxury villas with one to seven bedrooms, a full-service spa, club house, Aura Bar & Lounge, a kids’ club, and beach club access.  Adjacent to the resort are 20 exclusive luxury surf villas available for sale in studio, one or two-bedroom options with a private plunge pool.

For more information on Selo Group and its projects, please visit www.selogroup.co .

About Selo Group

Selo Group has a proven track record of building quality, award-winning luxury resorts and villas on time and on budget, to the highest international standards. The business model is built around acquisition, development, and operation. The company’s experienced international team oversees design, property sales and marketing, construction, and hotel and resort operations. Selo Group provides a diverse suite of development, construction, operations, and management services, overseeing projects from beginning to end with a strong commitment to sustainability. Through vertical integration, the group captures efficiencies in the design, sales and construction verticals that dovetail into operating resorts. Selo’s green technology and design demonstrate a commitment to sustainability principles in its construction methods, internal operations, and engagement with local communities and the natural environment. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Hwee Peng Yeo, Executive VP, Glodow Nead Communications, US: 415-394-6500, [email protected]