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Seychelles participates in 23rd Edition of Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo in Naples, Italy

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), together with its partner and Italian representative, Tsogo Sun, provided destination Seychelles with more visibility at the Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo (BMT), in Naples, Italy.


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The 23rd edition of BMT took place from March 22, 2019 to March 24, 2019; was the perfect platform and a great opportunity for our STB team meet with the visiting travel agencies and reinforce the tourism board’s partnerships with tour operators.

Representing STB was Director for Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Mediterranean, Ms. Monette Rose and STB Marketing Executive, Ms. Yasmine Pocetti. The STB team accompanied by the Italian representative of Tsogo Sun, and Paradise Sun Hotel and Maia, Ms. Simona Bonetti.

BMT saw the participation of the most important tourism players in Italy, including tour operators such as Nicolaus, Idee per Viaggiare, Naar, I Viaggi dell’Airone or Alidays and airlines such as Turkish Airlines. Top tour operators and travel agencies official association, Uvet and Astoi, were present as well.

Further establishing itself, Seychelles was also featured on the stand of I Viaggi dell’Airone, launching a dedicated brochure, and giving visibility to the archipelago through the mega screen of the stand displaying STB promotional video.

The Naples based tour operator organized a dinner with the top partners including STB at famous Ristorante Stella on the Gulf of Naples.

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STB Director for Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Mediterranean, Ms. Monette Rose mentioned that the STB presence at the BMT in Naples contributed not only in showcasing Seychelles as a destination but also reaffirmed the relationship with various partners.

“BMT featured very many important players on the Italian market and in tourism world, partnership is crucial. It was a good time for us to be present and build our networks and most importantly ensure the good position of the destination and what it has to offer to our partners and their clients,” said Ms. Rose.

Several workshops were also organized during the event including with 120 international buyers, incentive, wellness tourism and others.

The media had a strong presence with many journalists from the trade and consumer magazines and newspapers.

Naples is a key hub for Southern Italy with great potential and with many international flights and airlines departing from Capodichino airport. For Seychelles, the most important is Flydubai, connecting the city to the UAE, and Turkish Airlines with its direct flights to Istanbul.

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Seychelles recognized as world’s Most Beautiful Island at GQ Travel Awards Russia

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Destination Seychelles was cited as “The Most Beautiful Island” in the world after walking away with the title at the GQ Travel Awards, a ceremony that took place on March 15, 2019, at the Metropol Hotel, in Moscow, Russia.

The GQ Travel Awards ceremony recognizes the leading companies, hotels, and destinations from the elite travel industry. The winners in the 17 different categories including Seychelles were chosen by GQ readers who voted online on the magazine’s website.

The island destination was presented with the award during a ceremony attended by some 250 prominent guests including industry professionals, representatives of host countries, Russian celebrities, and famous travelers, and was followed by a gala dinner.

Ms. Diana Sarkisyan, PR & Marketing representative from the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) for the Russian and CIS region, accepted the award on behalf of Seychelles.

Seychelles remains a high-end destination, popular among Russian visitors for its sandy white beaches, warm turquoise waters, and diverse unique flora and fauna. Various beaches such as Anse Lazio on Praslin have been seen as being among some of the most beautiful in the world.

The island nation is one of the world’s leading actors when it comes to sustainable tourism and sustainable development, a concept to which the Russian visitors are very responsive.

Speaking about the latest recognition received by the destination at the GQ Travel Awards, Mrs. Sherin Francis, STB Chief Executive, mentioned that it is an honor for the destination to have been voted by the readers of GQ magazine.

“It is such a privilege to feature as the most beautiful island; as a destination, we are conscious of our inestimable resources, and we strive to demarcate ourselves by our uniqueness, and it is rewarding to see that our efforts have not gone unnoticed,” said Mrs. Francis.

The STB Chief Executive further stated that the achievement is the result of hard work and congratulated the various partners for their constant support towards building the destination’s reputation.

GQ is a men’s magazine offering analytics and current reports of international quality with the latest men’s fashion and style news. It is the number one magazine for male visitors of luxury department stores.

GQ’s regular authors are the best of the best in their industry, from both Russia and abroad, and has a close access to celebrities unlike any other Russian magazine in its niche. It is an unrivaled guidance and companion for a successful man.

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“Seychelles Discovered Roadshow” marches north in the UK

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UK-based travel agents are now better equipped to attract clients as they learn more about destination Seychelles through the Seychelles Tourism Board’s (STB) “Seychelles Discovered Roadshow” hosted from March 12, 2019 to March 14, 2019.

The group, led by STB Director for UK and Ireland, Ms. Christine Vel, took to Chester in the north of England, and Glasgow and Aberdeen in Scotland, to promote the tropical island nation. Onboard the team was also Marketing Executive, Ms. Eloise Vidot and other local partners.

The three-city roadshow, saw the presence of 115 agents, all interested in learning more about the destination famously know for its beaches and sustainable tourism.

Few of the agents present have already visited Seychelles and are actively selling the destination; the three-day roadshow was the perfect opportunity to provide the agents with as much information about the Seychelles islands.

A networking cocktail was organised at the start of the evening, in each city, allowing the local partners to go around and chat to the agents before taking them on a journey of the amazing Seychelles islands and its products.

Some lucky winners also won a week’s holiday in the Seychelles sponsored by the various hotel partners represented on the tour.

Representing Coco de Mer hotel & Black Parrot suites was Mr. Ash Behari, Crystal cruises saw the presence of Mr. Jon Schofield, from Denis Island & Carana Beach, Ms. Bessie Etienne, The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach was represented by Mr. Sherif El Mansoury.

Ms. Rizwana Hamayun represented Kempinksi Seychelles, Mr. Gerhard Louw was from Maia & Paradise Sun and representing The Hilton Seychelles hotels were Ms. Devi Pentamah and Mr. Anthony Smith.

Ms. Vel mentioned her satisfaction to see that the destination remains very popular on the UK market; she commended the active participation of the Tour Operators and Travel Agents present at the events.

“Once again this year we had an amazing turn out of agents wanting to broaden their knowledge of our destination,” said Ms. Vel.

‘Seychelles Discovered Roadshow’ is held twice annually in March and October. The next edition for 2019 will be held between October 28 to October 31.

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Seychelles to take over Berlin in a tropical storm as strong tourism delegation hits ITB in March

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Destination Seychelles will have a strong presence in the German capital, Berlin, as a 42 strong member delegation gets ready to attend the 53rd edition of Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB) travel trade show, which will take place from March 6, 2019 to March 10, 2019.

Staged annually in Berlin, the ITB is the one of the world’s leading travel show and is a-must attend business-to-business event; providing a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to Germany and international travel professionals.

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The show provides a unique opportunity for the entire global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business.

Destination Seychelles be featured alongside over 180 countries and some 10,000 companies and organisations, all fitted in 26 halls in the biggest marketplace of the international travel industry.

The exotic and breath-taking paradise of Seychelles will have its own destination stand covering a space of 180sqm from which the delegation will be actively selling the charms of the destination during the four days of the fair.

The Seychelles delegation will be headed by the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Mr. Didier Dogley, who will be accompanied by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis, and will comprise of representatives from hotels, airlines and DMCs in Seychelles.

The marketing wing of the Seychelles destination will be further represented by the presence at the Seychelles Stand of the Regional STB Director for Europe, Mrs. Bernadette Willemin, and the Director for Germany, Switzerland and Austria, Ms. Edith Hunzinger. Marketing Executive, Ms. Winnie Elisa and Senior E-Marketing Executive Randy Rosalie from headquarters will assist them all well equipped to sell the destination as one everyone deserves to tick off their personal bucket list.

In anticipation of Seychelles’ presence once again in Berlin STB Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis mentioned the importance of the destination’s attendance adding on to the visibility of the destination.

“Seychelles presence in ITB is irrefutably some valuable exposure for the destination. Our selling tactic by attending major trade fairs as a tourism board is to make our destination as tangible as possible.

We are look forward to marketing Seychelles means selling the destination ‘sea-sun-sand’ alongside our other features like our creole culture and hospitality. Our presence in major trade fairs adds on to the value of the experience and our partners”, said Mrs. Francis.

Thousands of senior travel industry professionals, Government Ministers, and international press visit ITB each year in March to network negotiate and discover latest trends and industry opinions.

Representatives of hotels include Mr. Fabrice Collot and Ms. Patricia de Mayer from Banyan Tree Seychelles, Ms. Wendy Tan of Berjaya Hotels Seychelles, Mrs. Foram Varsani from Cerf Island Resort and Ms. Ekaterina Gritsenko of Coral Strand Hotel and Savoy Seychelles Resort and Spa.

Other tourism establishment representatives are Mr. Ash Behari from Coco De Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites, Mr. Alan Mason representing both Denis Private Island and Carana Beach & Indian Ocean Lodge, Mr. Manuel Policarpo and Ms. Rui Oliveira of Eden Bleu Hotel, as well as Mr. Anthony Smith, Mr. Andre Borg and Mr. Daniele Fabbri of Hilton Seychelles.

Representing Kempinski Seychelles Resort & Spa will be Ms. Agata Sobczak and Mr. Masami Egami. Le Duc de Praslin and Valmer Resort will have a presence at the fair through Mr. Derek Savy and Mr. Robert Payet. Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove will be represented by Mr. Marc Wozniak and Mrs. Jenny Seraphine.

Other hotel representatives are Ms. Devi Sumayna Budhoo of Le Relax Management, Mr. Ferruccio Tirone and Ms. Samia Sedgwick of Maia Luxury Resorts & Spa and Paradise Sun, Mr. Eddie D’Offay of Pure Seychelles Hotels, Ms. Ernestina Bertarini and Ms. Sylvia Fletcher  of Raffles Seychelles and Mr. Sherif El Mansoury from the H Resort Beau Vallon Beach Seychelles.

Mr. Konrad Tarasiewicz from Coco Charter, and Mrs. Lucie Barone and Mr. Jonathan Loeffel will be representing VPM Yacht Charter Seychelles as DMCs.

DMCs also include Mrs. Anna Butler Payette and Ms. Dorina Cedras of 7° South, Mr. Lenny Alvis and Mrs. Elza Frichot Dahoo from Mason’s Travel as well as Mr. Guillaume Albert, Mr. Eric Renard, Mr. Philippe Cornaille, Ms. Amanda Lang and Ms. Luisa Mehl from Creole Travel Services.

Destination Seychelles receives exposure at ‘Le salon de Vacances’ fair in Belgium

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), alongside some trade partners, represented destination Seychelles in Belgium during a holiday fair held from February 7, 2019 to February 10, 2019.

Held in the Belgian capital Brussels, over four days, the 61st edition of the ‘Le salon de Vacances’ saw the presence of about hundred thousand visitors, each looking for the perfect destination for their next holiday.

The delegation representing the destination at ‘Le salon de Vacances’ fair was headed by the Regional Director Europe Mrs. Bernadette Willemin, who was accompanied by Ms. Myra Fanchette, the STB Senior Marketing Executive in Paris.

Mr. Eddie d’Offay from Pure Seychelles Hotel and Mrs. Maryse William of Seychelles European Reservation, two representatives of trade partners joined the STB team at the Seychelles’ dedicated stand.

The 350 exhibitors spread out on more than 33,000meter square in different pavilion of the Brussels Expo, gave the public a wide range of activities from different destination to choose from.

The ‘Le salon de Vacances’, above all famous for the information bestowed by tourism professionals from all over the world, reserves from now on new experiences for the visitors.

Other than being able to reserve and plan their next trip, visitors had the opportunity to benefit from the wellness zone, and get sessions of massage and relaxation. They were also able to do diving initiation or discover unique flavors coming from the four corners of the world in the cooking theater.

Consistent with past editions, the ‘Le salon de Vacances’, was a great success. The STB team noted with satisfaction that this year’s edition recorded a good turnout.

The peaks of visitors was specially noted over the weekend which was marked as the most crowded and busiest days with the Belgians public coming out in full force looking for their next holiday destination.

Speaking about the STB’s participation at the ‘Le salon de Vacances’, Mrs. Bernadette Willemin mentioned that Seychelles remains constantly visible on all European markets in order to keep the numbers in elevation.

“The STB office started the New Year on a high note, with its presence at various travel and trade fairs in the different countries under its jurisdiction and this includes the ‘Salon des Vacances’. It is important for us to mark our presence on various fairs specially in Europe as we believe destination Seychelles still has lots to offer in the different market segments and for different holiday budgets,” said Mrs. Willemin.

In 2019, the fair proved to be among one of the biggest national tourism show in Belgium.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel