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Etihad: Dream routes to South Africa, Nigeria, Italy

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Etihad Airways is introducing dream routes in the form of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its scheduled services this summer from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg, effective August 1; Lagos, effective August 2; and Milan, effective  September 1, replacing the Airbus A330s currently operating the routes.

All three destinations will feature Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats — 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats. Etihad Airways extensive global network to and from Abu Dhabi will see more 787 Dreamliners introduced on key destinations as the airline takes delivery of more of the type.

Boeing 787 schedule to Johannesburg, effective August 1, 2019 will leave Abu Dhabi at 10:05 and reach Johannesburg by 16:30 daily and return from Johannesburg at 20:05 to Abu Dhabi at 06:00 daily (Next day arrival). For Lagos, effective August 2, 2019 from Abu Dhabi at 02:35 to Lagos and 07:10 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Return from Lagos at 08:30 to Abu Dhabi at 19:10 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. To Milan, effective September 1, 2019 from Abu Dhabi at 02:20 to Milan at 06:50 daily and return from Milan at 10:40 to  Abu Dhabi at 18:55 daily.

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Indian Fashion Guru Sabyasachi selects Seychelles as backdrop for his first ever destination wedding collection

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The beauty of Seychelles is once again at the center of a media buzz as India’s distinguished Mr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, publicized photos of the recent photo shoot conducted in the exotic destination for his first ever destination wedding collection.

The project initiated by the prestigious magazine Condé Nast Traveller, India for their April issue cover photo shoot, was executed in partnership with the Seychelles Tourism Board Office (STB).

Seychelles appeared grandiose in an enchanting white wedding setup featuring Miss World 2017 Ms. Manushi Chhillar, her handsome groom and the bride’s tribe all dressed and styled by Sabyasachi.   

The photo shoot, which was conducted on gorgeous untouched beaches of the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Private Resort of Desroches Island, collaborating alongside STB for the event.

Seychelles crowns itself as an ideal wedding destination with its captivating beaches and sumptuous natural beauty providing breathtaking venue options for celebration of all special occasions including luxurious destination wedding that would evoke all kinds of Instagram goals similar to this photo shoot.

The destination, not only provided a perfect backdrop to the auspicious event, but was also an opportunity for local talent to be exposed to the international fashion scene.

Speaking on the collaboration on the project, STB Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis stated the commitment of the STB for Seychelles to remain a well-known wedding and honeymoon destination on the Indian market.

She indicated that collaboration with prestigious partners as the magazine Condé Nast Traveller, India accentuates the destinations presence on the desired platforms and beyond. 

“For Seychelles Tourism Board, this collaboration was not only a media project but also a chance to showcase the destinations offerings to some very influential personalities. Partnering with flag bearers of the magazine world and the fashion fraternity in India was indeed an exhilarating experience. Condé Nast Traveller India has carved a niche among the readers and to be featured on the cover of their main magazine along with the special edition- The Destination Wedding Guide; both in the same month speak volumes of the beauty of the destination. Seychelles is amongst the top scenic locations for hosting celebrations. It is a privilege for us to have worked alongside the private island-resorts, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, which highlights evidently the best mix of luxury, and privacy that the destination can offer. We are extremely delighted by this collaboration and ready to welcome celebrations from India”, said Ms. Sherin Francis.

Talking about the collaboration, Ms. Divia Thani, Editor, Condé Nast Traveller India says, “The big fat Indian wedding is quickly becoming the intimate, chic, destination wedding. A few years ago, destination weddings were a novelty, but the Indian destination wedding market is booming, as couples are looking for more unique, personal and lavish ways to celebrate their once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Condé Nast Traveller’s annual Destination Wedding Guide 2019 is an exciting and one-of-a-kind collaboration between CNT, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Seychelles Tourism, all to reveal Sabyasachi’s Destination Wedding/Resort edit and to introduce Seychelles as the perfect, beautiful place to celebrate special occasions. Get the April-May issue of Condé Nast Traveller India for the ultimate guide to Destination Weddings. See the top 10 wedding trends that will rule 2019, plus all the best places to tie the knot, whatever your style, and loads of ideas and inspiration!”

Mr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, one of the leading designers and a trend setter for millions in India was not only wowed by the destination’s untouched beauty but also found its proximity to India extremely alluring and further added, “A big collaboration is always about having the right people and with Condé Nast Traveller India and Seychelles, all the elements came together to make this possible. The shoot was the perfect mélange of Condé Nast Traveller India’s vision, the pristine beauty of Seychelles, the uber luxe Four Seasons Resort and the beautiful Manushi Chhillar. It has captured the best of a destination wedding as it is very aspirational but does not have the big trappings of being over commercial at the same time. As destination weddings become a very important part of Indian wedding industry, I hope this shoot inspires people to create beautiful weddings which are luxurious yet soulful and intimate.

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

The Travel & Adventure Show San Francisco, USA

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The Seychelles Islands marked its presence through its marketing body Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), as it exhibited at the Travel & Adventure Show 2019 edition.

The event took place in the city of San Francisco, in Northern California, on March 21-22, 2019.

The STB team was represented by the Regional Director for Africa & the Americas, David Germain, was present at the Show on the organisation’s behalf to showcase Seychelles as an extraordinary holiday destination to the 9,500 consumers, travel trade and Media who visited the exhibition at the Santa Clara Conference Center.

Mr. Germain mentions STB’s participation to the event is in line with its marketing efforts in the USA for increased arrivals from North America in 2019.

“Destination awareness and visibility is central to all we endeavor to do as Seychelles Tourism to grow our country’s market share in North America, and on the entire continent,” said Mr. Germain.

The annual participation by the STB at the Travel and Adventure shows in different cities of the United States each year, allow the STB to showcase Seychelles to a wide audience of consumers in the United States, creating awareness of the destination.

Viewed as one of North Americas largest consumer show for tourism and leisure, it is the place for holidaymakers to find information and offers about the latest travel trends, new destinations, among others.

In the prospect of raising the destination’s profile, the STB continues to increase its marketing efforts in North America during 2019, with marketing activities in different major cities in the United States during the year.

Mr. Germain further mentioned that as part of the marketing activities planned for the market for the year, media trips and agent’s familiarization visits to Seychelles would take place during the year, in collaboration with airline partners.

Mr. Germain explained that through the current available flight connectivity between North America and most major airlines, the destination has become even more accessible with easy connections to the archipelago via either Africa, Europe or the Middle East.

“Through our constant presence on the United States Market, Seychelles is today more known to the affluent North American travellers than in the last decade and the current visitor arrival figures from the Americas to the archipelago confirm that the North American market is one with great potential” said David Germain.

For the past 15 years, the Travel & Adventure Show has conducted more than 80 events in the major cities of the United States of America, connecting over 1.5 million travel enthusiasts, with over 3,700 unique travel professionals, facilitating face-to-face dialogue, which has resulted in more than 2.1 billion dollars in travel bookings worldwide.

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Cabo Verde Airlines returns to Italy

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Cabo Verde Airlines resumes operations for Italy this summer, with connections to Sal island and other destinations operated by the airline.

According to the document authorized by ENAC, National Aviation Entity, Cabo Verde Airlines will resume operations for Milan Malpensa and Roma Fiumicino airport from 254th of June to the 26th of October.

The connection, with scheduled programming for the 2019 season between Italy and Cabo Verde, will have a connection to Sal Island and other destinations of the company.

Flights will have weekly frequencies with flights to Sal-Malpensa on Monday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday and Malpensa-Sal on Monday/Thursday/Friday and Sunday.

Also, Sal-Rome departing on Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday and Rome-Sal on Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday.

The airline will operate according to technical licenses issued by the EASA European Aviation Safety Agency as its limitations, when applicable.

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Jordan sets itself up for European MICE audience

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Jordan, a country which is sheltered from the troubles of the region, is safe to travel in and around, independently or in a group. The country is presenting itself to the European MICE audience with fully-detailed proposals as well as a complete specializing catalogue thanks to the cooperation of The Platinum Services, a Rome-based event agency and DMC specializing in first class events in Italy, Europe and other selected areas, and Guarantee Travel Group, one of the biggest DMCs and event and travel agencies of the Country, benefitting from personal contacts with Jordan Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Majd Mohammad Shweikeh.

“Jordan’s MICE industry has come of age,” stated Regional Director Mr. Rami Qutishat. “It understands the particular demands of the meetings and incentive market and strives to exceed expectations. It has harnessed the ingredients needed to provide groups with a successful event that touches the hearts of most discerning delegates and resides in their memories». For nearly half a century, Late King Hussein was viewed as a respected world leader and a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Today, his son King Abdullah II echoes the same voice of moderation – not by chance, he’s been recently presented the Peace Lamp in Assisi, Italy.”

Jordan is located at the crossroads of three continents, making it an ideal meeting place for international events. Flying time from most European, African and Asian cities is around four hours, and there is easy and direct access from the USA and Canada. GMT +2 hours; US Eastern Standard Time +7 hours.

Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) is a gateway to the Red Sea and is becoming an important regional hub for business and leisure travelers. It is the only airport in Jordan to operate an Open Skies policy.

The national carrier, Royal Jordanian Airlines, flies to 54 destinations and is a member of One World Alliance with code sharing alliances with many airlines. The country boasts a fine array of international hotels, with new investments constantly adding a number of exciting developments to the portfolio. The country is now embracing the concept of eco resorts and is increasingly supporting green initiatives.

Besides the wealth of meeting space available in all the major hotels, the opening of the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center in 2006 on the shore of the Dead Sea signaled Jordan’s commitment to this sector.

Jordan touches many senses – from spicy aromas and culinary pleasures to an invigorating mud wrap, first glimpse of Petra’s Treasury and the sound of desert silence. It is one of nature’s most unusual adventure playgrounds, containing some of the world’s best preserved Nabataean and Roman cities, as well as the Dead Sea, the lowest point in the world; and for an even greater adrenalin rush, it unveils the crags that tower over Wadi Rum or the waterfalls in Wadi Mujib.

“Jordan is a country with rich cultural heritage,” stated Loredana Chiappini, owner of The Platinum Services. MICE events are set against a spectacular backdrop of mountains, deserts and seas that have provided the stage for many of history’s most momentous dramas. When you combine world-class meeting facilities with an inspiring range of incentive activities in a dramatic setting, you will have the ingredients for a very special event. With easy access, value for money and highly experienced DMCs, success is assured.”

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