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Seychelles Tourism Board meets Tourism Trade Partners

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The marketing body of the destination, the Seychelles Tourism Board  (STB) hosted its Annual marketing strategy 2020 meeting at Constance Ephelia Resort, this Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

The one-day meeting saw the participation of all core stakeholders of the tourism industry including the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation Ports and Marine Didier Dogley, the STB Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis, the Seychelles Tourism Board staff from the headquarters and all 17 points across the globe.

In his address Minister Didier Dogley mentioned his pleasure to be attending the meeting, which he says is a crucial one to understand the latest development in the tourism industry.

“This marketing meeting allows us to take stock of the status of our tourism industry and what has been achieved over the last six months, identify the challenges we face and formulate the appropriate responses,” said Minister Dogley. 

Minister Dogley further mentioned the important work being undertaken in the development of the Destination 2023 adjustment to the tourism masterplan. He mentioned that it is important that the stakeholders remain committed to better our tourism products and services. 

In her address, Mrs. Sherin Francis expressed her satisfaction that the STB is hosting this annual meeting, she further mentioned her satisfaction to see that tourism arrival figures for the month of January to June 2019 has seen an increase of 9%.

Aside from the 2018- 2019 analysis of performances on the various markets, Mrs. Francis’ state of affairs presentation also touched on the strategy for the coming year.

Mrs. Francis also took the opportunity to thank the various partners for their constant support throughout the year. 

The STB Annual marketing meeting at mid-year is an annual event that allows the tourism board to hold direct interaction with its local partners to discuss plans for the coming year.

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

Seychelles Tourism Minister meets with hotel owners on another official visit

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The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Didier Dogley and his Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs. Anne Lafortune conducted a hotel visit in the south of Mahé on Friday, June 28, 2019. 

The visit was directed in the south; around the region of Baie Lazare, Takamaka and Anse Forbans. The visit featured six hotel establishments, classified as small and medium hotels (containing between four to 32 rooms).

 It started at the 32- roomed Val Mer Resort Hotel, followed by the Green Blue Beach House and Li-Al-Do Maison in Baie Lazare. 

In the region of Takamaka, the delegation visited Villa Baptista Beach Bungalows, alongside Anse Takamaka View and the official call ended in Anse Forban at Chalets D’Anse Forbans.

During his interaction with the hoteliers, Minister Dogley reiterated his satisfaction to have an opportunity to meet the private sector on a regular basis. He mentioned that these occasions allow him to interact with hotel owners and directors, to discuss a broad range of issues. He also said it encourages them to work harder at making Seychelles the number one holiday destination in the region, with regards to services offered.

Minister Dogley further mentioned his interest to see small hotel establishments continue to grow and prosper as he continues to explain that they are key contributors to the local economy.

“It is heart-warming to learn that most of the hotel establishments have done well during the first half of 2019.  However, there is a clear need for the relevant agencies to redouble their efforts and tackle the issues that are impacting negatively not only on our tourism industry, but on our society.  We within the Ministry responsible for tourism will play our part further by ensuring that real tangible progress is made in the right direction,” said Minister Dogley.

Throughout all the meetings, recurring themes have been features such as the access to labour, the social skills affecting the country as a whole and the need to reduce the amount of VAT, which small establishments have to pay. 

For their part, the hoteliers highlighted their satisfaction about their occupancy rate and challenges faced by the industry. They mentioned the quality of services operating cost in Seychelles, hiring, and maintaining local labour.

At the different establishments, Minister Dogley and Mrs. Lafortune also seized the moment to promote the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) and inspire the hoteliers to join the ecological movement. They did this by making their respective brand one that is associated with sustainable tourism, as well as empowering their staff.

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

Beach and Sea Safety guide now available for Seychelles visitors

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The Tourism Department proudly released the second edition of its Beach and Sea Safety guide during a Launch ceremony Officiated by Minister Didier Dogley, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine on Monday April 15, 2019 at Botanical House.

The launch of the publication saw the presence of Principal Secretary for Tourism Mrs. Anne Lafortune and Ms. Philomena Hollanda, Director for Risk Management at the Ministry for Tourism.

During his address to the press, Minister Dogley commended the efforts of the Tourism department for the initiative.

He also extended his compliments to the Seychelles Police, Seychelles Lifeguard, Seychelles Maritime and Safety Administration and the Seychelles Tourism Board who have contributed towards the publication the for their assistance. 

“As a destination it is our obligation to provide our visitors with correct and concise information, more often than not our guests feel like they are in paradise and there are no risks. They forget that anywhere they go around the world they need to take precautionary measures to keep themselves safe,” said Minister Dogley. 

The Beach and Sea Safety guide is an updated version of a similar publication released in 2014 by the department.

The booklet, which will be shared with all tourism establishments and visitors through the STB Visitors Office on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, seeks to educate the visitors on safety measures that they should undertake whilst on their holiday.

Taking about the guide, Ms. Philomena Hollanda mentioned that the content has been updated in view of the developments that have occurred in the past 5 years in Seychelles.

She also pointed out the new features of the booklet including indications of warning signs, additional information on marine fauna.

“In view of the sudden increase of visitor’s arrivals there is a pressing need for our department to find a way to inform our visitors about safety for their own good. The booklet is a user-friendly publication, which has been designed with beautiful pictures of the Seychelles. It provides information and can also be kept as a souvenir,” Said Ms. Hollanda.

Some 10,000 copies of the booklet has been printed and a digital copy of the same is available on the department’s website.

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