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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.


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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%.

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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, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett Meets With Top Tourism Resilience Partners in Azerbaijan

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Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday (June 16) met with some of the leading partners in the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM) to discuss projects and deliverables the Centre will commence following the opening of its new physical facility on Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in October this year.

The special dinner meeting was held at the Hilton Baku in Azerbaijan in the margins of the 110th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council Meeting, taking place June 16 – 18, 2019 in Baku.

Minister Bartlett gave an overview of four critical projects, including the establishment of a barometer to measure resilience and set the standards for certification/accreditation of countries across the world; setting up an International Journal of Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management; building a  compendium of best practices based on the experience of countries that  have managed disruptions well and those that  have not; and establishing an Academic Chair at the UWI with responsibility for studies in innovation, resilience and crisis management.

The issue of Corporate Social Responsibility was also raised at Sunday’s meeting. “Corporate Social responsibility is central to the sustainable development of tourism as it is for most industries but particularly tourism because of its extractive nature,” said the Tourism Minister.

“Tourism pulls a lot from communities so we need to have them involved. We need also to have inclusiveness for people with special needs and lifestyle differences in providing the world with the best opportunity to access the rich resources that exist within the people of these communities,” he added.

Minister Bartlett said the meeting brought a fresh energy to the discussion while bringing a new commitment to resource development. “So after the Centre’s official opening in October, we can get into action so that it fulfills its role of not being just a Centre for academic research but an action Centre where results are realized and implemented,” said Minister Bartlett.

In attendance were Ms. Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jamaica; Ambassador Dho Young-Shim, a member of the GTRCM Board of Governors; Ms. Elena Kountoura, a member of the European Union for Greece; Mr. Spiros Pantos, Special Advisor to Elena Kountoura; Hon. Didier Dogley, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine for the Seychelles; and Ms. Isabel Hill, Director, National Travel and Tourism Office, US Department of Commerce.

The GTRCM is dedicated to helping vulnerable states across the world recover quickly from disruptions and crisis that threaten economies and livelihoods globally, using real time data and effective communication. It recently took on a new global perspective with the announcement of regional Centres to be established over the next eight weeks in Nepal, Japan, Malta and Hong Kong.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Seychelles trade partners up-to-date with new European regulations

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Mr. Julian Grupp, CEO of Seyvillas, facilitated the workshop, which aim at keeping the tourism professional abreast of the new practices on the European markets and was held on Tuesday June 11, 2019 at Eden Bleu Hotel.

The workshop-a premier on the Island- has been organised by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and saw the presence of the Principal Secretary for Tourism- Mrs. Anne Lafortune and Mrs. Sherin Francis, STB Chief Executive.

The event offer received a very positive response with 125 participants registering for participation from the tourism trade industry including professionals from hotel establishments and Destination Management Companies.

Other participants comprised of representatives of the Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism Association (SHTA), Ministry of Tourism and STB personnel from the Destination Development Department alongside their colleagues from the Trade and Visitors Services department. 

During this workshop, participants were guided on how to improve the Seychelles products in line with the new trends. They were also provided insights on the European law and regulations regarding bookings, cancellations and data privacy.

In her address to the participants, Sherin Francis mentioned her satisfaction to see the event taking place, she stressed on the importance of quality service for the destination.

The STB Chief Executive Mrs. Francis further stated STB’s commitment to increase the market value of the destination by encouraging all partners to keep themselves informed of new trends and regulations at all times.

“Our constant investment in our destination by facilitating such trainings to our partners is because we believe in the potential of Seychelles to keep growing. We have focused on digital marketing in the past events and we felt that the training regarding European legislations is an important part of making our trade collaborators conversant on the matter as these are the details that make us easily marketable as a destination. We are happy with the interest from the partners on Mahé and Praslin,” said Mrs. Francis.

This STB initiative aims at helping local partners to improve the quality of services they provide to all clients, specially the European travellers topping the visitor’s arrival list.

Subsequently, a session has been organised for the trade partners on Praslin and La Digue with a number of 50 confirmed registered participants. The training will take place at the Pension Fund Building on Thursday June 13, 2019.

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

Seychelles Tourism Board Team visited Trade Partners in Scandinavia

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Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) head of the company, Mrs. Sherin Francis and Key STB representatives on the European market visited trade partners in Northern Europe in May this year.

A ‘premiere’ for the STB team as they approached top players during a series of trade events in the Scandinavian Travel Trade outbound industry and media in the three capital cities, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo.

In each city, the format was welcome networking session, round table discussions followed by a three-course dinner. Only our main Tour Operating partners were invited and about 15 to 20 attended per city.

Onboard the marketing expedition were STB Regional Director for Europe, Mrs. Bernadette Willemin and Ms. Karen Confait, STB Director Scandinavia, Russia/CIS & Eastern Europe.

In each city, the prominent partners on the Scandinavian market for Seychelles were invited for an intimate private dinner and round table conversation and dialogue on possible strategies for the expansion of the Scandinavian market for the destination.

Speaking about her recent visit on the Scandinavian market, STB Chief Executive mentioned that this initiative is a fact-finding mission for the STB, which is why the team opted for this format.

“The setting during this first visit was designed to gather intelligence in subtle manner for our future use in reviewing our strategy for this specific market. We wanted the partner’s views and feedback on the state of the market, the performance of the destination as well as issues that they are encountering when selling and in the destination itself,” said Mrs. Francis.

Mrs. Francis further stated that although the Scandinavian market seems only a small part of the total number of international tourists, she is confident that the market has big potential.

“It is not the number that are decisive in our case here. Meeting partners on a one-to-one basis is strategic for us, as it is far more important for us to attract the right clientele; guests who have the same core values ​​as the Seychelles and is interested in local culture and the environment, explained the STB Chief Executive.

A recurring topic during the various discussions with both the trade and media as one of the key issue right now in the Nordics where the “flight shaming” phenomenon is a growing concern affecting the tourism industry.  

The STB team spoke at lengths on the matter, the main message that the team passed across is that Seychelles is doing so much to counterbalance the carbon footprint of all visitors landing on our shores.

In Copenhagen and Oslo, the STB organized a tea time session with few press partners, to discuss the various initiatives Seychelles is undertaking regarding marine conservation and sustainable tourism; in the spirit of keeping the Scandinavians potential holidaymakers abreast with the destination’s ecological stand and ecotourism.

During the presentations the STB Chief Executive, elaborated on the Seychelles “Blue Bond” project to support marine life as one of the world´s biodiversity hotspots, were presented for the media with great interest. Seychelles first television broadcast below Ocean´s surface with the Seychelles’ President ahead of cooperation with Nekton Mission for preserving the Indian Ocean´s Eco-system and film teaser, received applause from both travel trade and media, in all three countries.

At the end of this first visit in Scandinavia, the trade partners commented that they were honored efforts made by the STB Chief Executive and team made to come meet them.

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

UNIGLOBE Alliance Travel and UNIGLOBE Travel Partners-NJ named UNIGLOBE TMCs of the year

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UNIGLOBE Travel International has announced a tie for its Travel Management Company (TMC) of the Year award.

Tied for top spot are UNIGLOBE Alliance Travel in the Netherlands and UNIGLOBE Travel Partners – NJ in New Jersey, USA. The award is the most prestigious in the UNIGLOBE Travel network. Founder and chief executive U. Gary Charlwood, alongside president and chief operating officer Martin Charlwood, announced this year’s recipients at the bi-annual UNIGLOBE Global Rendezvous, held this year in Vienna, Austria, to an audience of TMCs from 60 countries.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winners was Rob Jansen, owner of UNIGLOBE Alliance Travel, and Marie Magliano, owner of UNIGLOBE Travel Partners – NJ.

“Rob and his team at UNIGLOBE Alliance Travel embrace the true spirit of entrepreneurship,” says Martin Charlwood. “They are loyal supporters of UNIGLOBE and utilize the various programs and technologies to successfully manage their business. They value teamwork, customer service, and are always willing to share and assist other members of the UNIGLOBE family, in addition to going that extra mile for their team.” 

“I have had the pleasure of working with Marie and her team at UNIGLOBE Travel Partners – NJ for many years,” adds U. Gary Charlwood. “The team successfully runs their business through a combination of strategic selling, customer-focused servicing and teamwork. They are loyal supporters of UNIGLOBE and are fully engaged with our various programs, products and technologies. They are currently networking with many members, are always willing to help and share with others and are well respected amongst their peers.”

About UNIGLOBE

Working globally to serve clients locally across more than 60 countries, UNIGLOBE Travel leverages current technologies and preferred supplier pricing to save clients time and money on business and vacation travel planning. Since 1981, corporate and leisure travelers have depended on the UNIGLOBE Travel brand to deliver services that go beyond expectations. UNIGLOBE Travel was founded by U. Gary Charlwood, CEO and has its world headquarters in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.  Annual system-wide sales volume is $5.0+ billion.

Media contact: media@uniglobe.com