For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

Where press releases are breaking news

Mandarin Oriental opens first hotel in Beijing

by

Hongkong Land today announced the completion of its prestigious WF CENTRAL premium lifestyle retail destination, located in the capital city’s historic Wangfujing area, with the opening of Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing. Executives from Hongkong Land and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group celebrated the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new hotel, Mandarin Oriental’s first hotel in Beijing.

Seamlessly connected with WF CENTRAL, the hotel features 73 rooms and suites which are among the largest in Beijing. The rooms are designed with a contemporary residential style combined with subtle traditional Chinese elements, an array of luxury amenities and expansive, spa-like bathrooms. Many rooms have superb views towards the Forbidden City. The hotel is also home to stylish restaurants and bars, including the signature Mandarin Grill + Bar, casual dining restaurant Cafe Zi, and the sleek, sophisticated MO Bar — all of which have direct access to an expansive rooftop garden terrace.

Those seeking rejuvenation in the heart of the city may visit The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing, which offers a range of curated wellness and beauty treatments as well as a 25-metre indoor lap pool with natural light and a comprehensive gym.

“Since its opening in May 2018, WF CENTRAL has been playing a crucial role in the redevelopment of the historic Wangfujing area of Beijing into one of the city’s premium lifestyle retail destinations,” said Mr Raymond Chow, Executive Director of Hongkong Land. “The opening of Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing, completes our work and exemplifies this strategy, as we are bringing Mandarin Oriental’s legendary hospitality together with a compelling mix of retail and dining, all nestled within one of the world’s most important and historic cities.”

Mr Richard Baker, Chief Relationship Officer, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, said, “Mandarin Oriental is delighted to partner with Hongkong Land in the creation of Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing. This is our third successful collaboration and we are immensely proud to be part of WF CENTRAL, Beijing’s preeminent lifestyle retail destination. We look forward to introducing the Group’s legendary hospitality to China’s capital and to welcoming guests through our doors.”

WF CENTRAL, Hongkong Land’s flagship development in Beijing, is a US$1.2 billion retail-led project designed to be the city’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination. It is also expected to be a major contributor to the transformation of Beijing’s historic Wangfujing area into a hub for retail, dining and business. The complex has a total gross floor area of more than 150,000 sq. m., including 43,000 sq. m. of retail space that hosts an exciting, diverse mix of tenants according to five core categories: “Luxury”, “Fashion”, “World-class Gastronomy”, “Lifestyle & Wellness” and “Art & Culture”.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Seychelles Tourism Board, joined by trade partners and airlines, promote Seychelles in key Brazilian cities

by

Seychelles’ visibility in Brazil received an added boost last week as a result of the Seychelles roadshow, organized annually in the four major Brazilian cities by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB).

The series of workshop started in Rio de Janeiro on Monday February 18, 2019, to the cities of Curitiba, Porto Alegre ending in Sao Paolo on Friday February 22, 2019.

The roadshow is part of the STB’s marketing activities for South America in 2019 and aimed at promoting Seychelles as a holiday destination for the Brazilian travelers.
While the STB team maximised on this opportunity to increase, the knowledge of the Brazilian trade partners currently selling Seychelles about the destination and its particular attractions; the local trade partners present for the event emphasised on the training of the new collaborators on the various products and services available in Seychelles.

STB Regional Director for Africa and the Americas, Mr. David Germain who was accompanied by Mrs. Elsie Sinon, STB Senior Marketing Executive, headed the Seychelles delegation.

They were assisted by members of the STB representation office for South America, GVA, based in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The head of GVA, Ms. Gisele Abrahão, together with Ms. Aline Paschoal and Ms. Cleo Calil, who were directly involved in the organization.

Also present during the Seychelles Roadshow in Brazil were representatives from various Airlines companies, DMCs from Seychelles and various hotels in Seychelles.

Speaking about the initiative to have such an important outreach on the South American market, STB Regional Director for Africa and the Americas, Mr. David Germain mentioned that event was organised with the objective of raising the destination’s profile in the South American region.

“Seychelles need to remain visible in South America, in order to increase arrivals to the archipelago from this part of the world, and the roadshow is an important part of our marketing efforts to obtain results,” said Mr. Germain.

On her part Ms. Abrahão, said she was satisfied with the outcome of the roadshow while also expressing satisfaction with Brazil’s continued performance as a tourism market for Seychelles.

“We are clearly succeeding with our strategy of presenting the diversity of the Seychelles islands and showing that besides being the dream destination for honeymooners, the archipelago is also perfect for destination weddings, incentive travels and as well as vacations for families and friends,” said Ms. Abrahão.

She added “Seychelles is a destination that deserves to be on everyone’s bucket list. It is a paradise on earth that inspires and certainly has a place in the heart of Brazilian holidaymakers.”

A media event in São Paulo was also organised, which was attended by nine journalists from some of the main publications in Brazil. The media professionals were treated to video presentations about the Seychelles islands highlighting the products and services available, as well as the unique attractions of the archipelago.

The important Seychelles delegation on the Brazilian roadshow comprised of Emirates Airlines, represented by Mr. Marcelo Abreu and Ms. Patricia Schubert, South African Airways through the presence of Mr. Fernando Cardoso and Ms. Carolina Oricchio, with Mr. Hagopian Fernando representing Ethiopian Airlines.

The Seychelles Destination Management Companies (DMC) were represented by Ms. Corinne Delpech from 7° South, Mr. Eric Renard from Creole Travel Services and Mervyn Esparon from Summer Rain Tours.

The following hotels also participated at the roadshow through the presence of Ms. Clara Campos for the Avani Seychelles Barbarons, Mr. Edouard Grosmangin for the Raffles Seychelles Hotel, Ms. Ligia Fittipaldi for the Six Senses Zyl Passion and North Island and Ms. Charlene Campbell for Tsogo Sun Hotels, the Paradise Sun & Maia.

There are currently more than seven airlines flying from South America with good connections to Seychelles. This includes Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways with easy connections with Air Seychelles from Johannesburg to Seychelles. British Airways, flights from London, Heathrow, is also seen as a great option for tourists from the Americas.

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

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

by

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.

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.

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

Constance Lemuria welcomes celebrity golf players for first MCB- Staysure Tournament in Seychelles

by

The golf club staff at Constance Lémuria in Seychelles, the place to be this weekend as a golf enthusiast, have been on their feet making sure that all facilities and the ground of the golf course is operating perfectly as it readies to welcome participants of the final of MCB-Staysure 2018 Tour Season.

Having recently been awarded the “Luxury Golf Hotel” of the Indian Ocean at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, that took place in Bali on November 10, 2018, affirms the resorts capability to host an event of such caliber.

The General Manager of Constance Lémuria, Mr. Bruno Le Gac, said that the team responsible for the golf club “have been working extremely hard to ensure that we are ready for this prestigious international event, and they can be proud of what has been achieved so far.”

With the course covering about three quarter of Constance Lémuria’s property, the resort has 18 staff, whose job is to maintain the par-70, 18-hole golf course. 

Improvements on the golf course includes the construction of new professional tees on the fifth, seventh, tenth and eleventh holes. The team, led by Mr. Wilson Volcere, the head greenkeeper and Mr. Gary Pouponneau, the Golf Director, has also been working on the surface of the course, enlarging green areas where possible.

Leading up to the final tour of the MCB-Staysure 2018 Tour Season, Mr. Pouponneau, a professional golf player himself, said that security would be tighten within the resort during the tournament.

“Badges will be provided to people with classification of access areas for people attending and participating,” said Mr. Pouponneau.

All across the course, selective underbrush, trees and vegetation have been cleared. The Lémuria golf facility spans over about 80 hectares, with half of the course located on mountainous terrain.

Despite the challenging grounds, the course attracts many players, especially recurring clients. Mr. Pouponneau said that some clients have been coming to the hotel since its opening in 2000.

Participants in the MCB-Staysure tournament will be offered a ‘Hole in One’ prize in the 15th tee for any pro achieving a hole in one during the competition days by Constance Lemuria.

Constance Lémuria is proudly working hand in hand with the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mauritius Commercial Bank Seychelles and other local partners to provide a truly Seychellois week of entertainment. The tournament will showcase the Seychelles to a global audience, putting the destination of the Seychelles on the map of world-class golfing venues.

The only 18-hole course in Seychelles, Lémuria organizes weekly competitions for their clients. Mr. Pouponneau takes the opportunity to interact with the clients by joining in the competitions. Every now and then, he also makes it a must to take part in tournaments organized on Mahé or at the hotel itself.

Mr. Pouponneau started playing golf at the age of ten, a passion that was inspired as he lived in close vicinity to the Reef Golf Club on Mahé, the first golf course to open in Seychelles. Two years after completing his studies, Mr. Pouponneau moved to Lémuria.

“I knew by then that I wanted to make a career out of the sport. In fact I joined the hotel one year after its opening,” said Mr. Pouponneau.

Participants in the MCB Tour Championship Seychelles competition will be offered a ‘Hole in One’ prize in the 15th tee for any pro achieving a hole in one during the competition days by Constance Hotels and Resorts.  

MEDIA CONTACT: info@seychelles.travel