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Another successful World Travel Market for the Seychelles

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The Seychelles islands sparkled through its strong delegation at the 40th edition of the World Travel Market (WTM), held from November 4, 2019 to November 6, 2019 at ExCel London.

Representatives from various sectors of the Seychelles tourism industry were present at the WTM, showcasing the destination in all its splendour as one of the must visit destination around the world.

Seychelles featured at this key UK event alongside the biggest countries and brands around the world

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. Didier Dogley, who was present at the Seychelles stand for the opening of the fair, led the Seychelles delegation.

During the 3-day event, the Seychelles stand, which consisted of members of Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) team and trade partners working in unison to charm the many WTM visitors to the beauties of Seychelles.

Representatives from Maia Luxury Resort, Hilton Seychelles, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Coco-de-Mer hotel (and Black Parrot Suites), Eden Bleu, the H Resort Beau Vallon and Savoy Resort & Spa were present on the accommodation providers side. Representing the destination management companies were 7 Degrees South, Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel, and Satguru Travel.

The Seychellois Company Maz Million was also represented, present at WTM promoting the Maz Luxury Seychelles Tourism Lottery.

The STB team was represented by its Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis; the Regional Director for Europe, Mrs. Bernadette Willemin; the Director for UK and Ireland, Ms. Christine Vel; Senior Marketing Executive, Ms. Mavreen Pouponneau and Marketing Executive, Ms. Eloise Vidot.

While in London, Minister Dogley and Mrs. Francis conducted various meetings with travel trade professionals and interviews with high-profile media.

Commenting on the marketing mission, Mrs. Francis stated the importance of the destination’s presence at such events. 

“The destination’s participating in such fairs is not only a platform for the visibility through the media exposure throughout the events but also provides a perfect opportunity for our local partners to meet the various Tour Operators and Travel Agents in the UK to discuss their plans for 2020,” said Mrs. Francis.

STB’s Director for UK & Ireland Christine Vel expressed her satisfaction for another successful year on the market.

 ‘’The arrival figures have increased by 10% compared to the same period last year.  We expect this trend to continue and further develop our business together with the support of local Seychelles trade partners which will keep the growing confidence of the UK & Irish travel operators and agent in continuing to sell the destination and increase the sales figures,”

Since its start four decades ago, WTM London facilitates £2.8 billion in industry deals and has around 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries and regions and more than 51,000 participants.

Last year WTM London sparked a million meetings, resulting in around £3 billion in contracts.

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

The Seychelles kicks off the autumn season with the Nordic Roadshow

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) embarked on the sixth edition of the Nordic Roadshow from September 23-27, 2019. The delegation, which included hotels, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and airlines, travelled to five Nordic cities; Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm and Gothenburg.

A strong delegation from the Seychelles attended the Nordic roadshow, making the event successful one for the destination and its partners.

The marketing mission was headed by STB’s Marketing Director for Nordics, Karen Confait, and joined by the various partners and local business representatives.

On the hotel side, Avani Barbarons Seychelles Resort was represented by Crystal Abram; Devi Pentamah was present on behalf of the Hilton Hotels; Le Duc de Praslin, Valmer Resort and Castelo Beach Hotel were represented by Derek Savy; Ferruccio Tirone from Maia Luxury Resort & Paradise Sun was also part of the group.

Amanda Lang from Creole Travel Services was present to represent the DMCs alongside Amy Michel a representative from Masons Travel and Masons Hotel Group.

The Emirates Airline team consisted of Meritha Merhad, Tanya Milad and Carmen Javier; while Qatar Airways was represented by Nils Geir Askekjaer, Karin Wellington-Ipsen, Jari Nuotio, Suvi Saari, Nina Astor, Pernilla Tillas, Eunice Raila and Chantal Tabatabae.

In each city, an evening event was hosted by the Seychelles’ delegation for the local travel trade during which participants had an opportunity to network and hear more about the Seychelles as a destination through presentations made. 

Partners present from Seychelles to showcase their product build on the momentum to inspire the local players from the visited cities and motivate them to offer Seychelles to their clients as the next holiday destination.

Ms. Confait mentioned that the Nordic Roadshow generated plenty of interest and attention from agents in each of the five cities.

“Over the years, the roadshow has immensely contributed to the growth of the Nordic market as the ideal platform to provide the travel trade with increased knowledge on the destination and its products, whilst fortifying relationships between partners and I am pleased to mention that we had very good attendance from the local agents both familiar and new ones,” commented Ms Confait.

True to its nationalistic belief and its dedication to sustainability and conservations, Seychelles remains one of the destinations of choice for potential visitors from the Nordics as they seek holiday destinations that have the same environmental and sustainable awareness they do.

Ms. Confait stressed that the Nordics is a market in need of constant nurturing through events such as similar roadshow, as it holds great potential for Seychelles. Thanking the partners present on the Nordic Roadshow, she further encouraged other partners to continuously invest and keep a constant presence in the region in order to further stimulate interest in the Seychelles Islands.

With greater flight accessibility through Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines flying out of this region, the Nordic market has become more significant for the Seychelles.

For more information on Seychelles, click here.

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

The Seychelles Islands’ stand highly appreciated during the consular celebrations in Lyon

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The 18th edition of “les fêtes consulaires” were held between September 14 and 15, 2019 in Lyon, the second largest city in France. Les Fêtes Consulaires is a friendly gathering for different consulates based in Lyon, where they can promote their respective countries to the 23,000 visitors who attend the event.

Amongst the 50 consulates present was the newly re-opened Consulate of Republic of Seychelles represented by Mrs. Virginie Mathieu, the new appointed honorary Consul for Seychelles in the region Auvergne Rhône Alpes.

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Office in Paris represented by STB marketing executive, Ms. Valerie Payet, had the honour to be present alongside Mrs. Mathieu to showcase Seychelles as a must-visit destination.

The Seychelles corner displayed some of the islands most distinguished features, namely the tropical forests filled with a vast variety of flora and fauna, as well as the prominent beaches.

Over the two days of festivities, the Seychelles consulate’s stand attracted individuals of all ages with its vibrant presentations of the Seychelles Islands. Ms. Payet present on site had the opportunity to interact with numerous visitors to promote the destination and its several wonders.

Together with the Consulate and the STB team in Paris, Club Med representatives was also present at the event and took the opportunity to promote their upcoming property in Seychelles, a five Trident Exclusive Collection Resort on Sainte Anne Island, set to open its doors in 2020.

During the official opening of the village, the STB team was honored by the presence of Mr. Gérard Collomb, Mayor of Lyon.

Visitors of the Seychelles stand included His Excellency Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Seychelles Ambassador in France, Mr. Ralph Agrippine, Minister’s Advisor at the embassy and Mr. Jean-François Noaro, Honorary Consul for Seychelles in Monaco.

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

Seychelles Tourism Board in Reunion tap into up market luxury brands

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Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), geared up its presence in Réunion Island as the organisation participated in an upmarket consumer event to showcase the destination, present the accessible products and network with potential partners.  

The event dubbed ‘Rêve de Moka’ saw the presence of six luxury Brands comprising of Porche, Caviar.re, Moet & Chandon Champagne, Isautier and a properties investor Neovarim.

‘Rêve de Moka,’ hosted in ‘Domaine de Moka’ one of Reunion Islands historical and long term conservation site attracted around 200 visitors, chosen from an exclusive database. 

The event which took place in a workshop format followed by animation and a touring of the property in a Porche.  

The event was attended STB Senior Marketing Executive based in Reunion, Ms. Bernadette Honore who represented the destination.

Seychelles extended its reach to Reunion potential visitors, as a luxury destination and gained exclusivity in the event as being the only destination present at the event.

STB was supported at the event by the presence of airline partner in Reunion -Air Austral, Réunion Tour operator-Bourbon voyages who contributed by their presence.

As part of its participation to the ‘Rêve de Moka’ event, Air Austral pressed its marketing as the only direct connection between the two islands.

The airline partner also offered 2 airfare tickets to Seychelles as prize for a quizz game initiative, which was reinforced by Castello Beach Hotel as the company offered a two-night’s stay for two persons to complement the package.

Aside from having its representatives at the STB table at the event, Bourbon voyages, provided the invited visitors with additional information about the destination including activities and pricing of their services.   

Talking about the STB participation to the event, Ms. Bernadette Honore mentioned the importance for the destination to appear in upscale events and commented on her satisfaction at the interest generated by Seychelles’ presence. 

 “The upmarket luxury brand in Réunion is a segment market of potential to Seychelles. Seychelles earmarked as a high-end Island destination had the potential to capture this kind of clienteles. Our presence in such event does not only allow Seychelles Tourism Board to promote the destination, but it allows us to be presence where our segment market is for a greater visibility of Seychelles,’’ said Ms. Honore.  

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

IGLTA honors ITB Berlin for its commitment to LGBT+ travel segment

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The reward for promoting awareness and acceptance of the LGBT+ Community in the global tourism industry: at the Annual Global Convention, which will take place from 24 to 27 April at the Hilton Midtown New York City, the International LGBT+ Travel Association (IGLTA) will present ITB Berlin with the Vanguard Award.

Every year, together with the IGLTA Foundation (www.iglta.org/The-IGLTA-Foundation), the public charity subsidiary of the IGLTA, the directors’ board presents the IGLTA Honors. The recipients are individuals, companies or organizations who have improved relations within the tourism community and raised awareness of LGBT+ travel around the world. The LGBT Travel Pavilion of ITB Berlin celebrated its debut back in 2010, and since then has become a highly-regarded role model for the presentation of the gay and lesbian travel segment at an international travel show. In addition to the extensive display area with its own conference venue, supporting events such as the LGBT+ Media Brunch, networking events, informative lectures, the LGBT+ ITB Convention Seminar – which since 2 years also includes the bestowal of an ITB Pioneer Award -, and, as of this year the International LGBT+ Leadership Summit, attract many visitors.

ITB’s commitment has made it possible to also position this segment at ITB Asia in Singapore and organize international ITB Academies on this topic as recently in Malta and Japan.

”ITB Berlin is proud to occupy a pioneering role in this important subject, and to be the recipient of such a prestigious award for its continuing efforts to promote international recognition of LGBT+ travel“, said Rika Jean-François, CSR officer of ITB Berlin and responsible for this segment. ”What began as a few community pioneers exhibiting here and there around ITB Berlin has over the years become a recognized platform. Together with our partner Diversity Tourism we have created a globally unique forum.“

”We have got to the point now where at ITB Berlin we have created one of the liveliest and most diverse LGBT+ Travel Pavilions possible, with exhibitors and people taking part in discussion rounds from around the world“, is how Thomas Bömkes, LGBT+ consultant for ITB Berlin and Managing Director of Diversity Tourism GmbH described this market’s rising prospects. Rika Jean-François added: ”This award will give us the strength to continue defending LGBT+ travelers against discrimination in every country in the world and to ensure that they, just like any other travelers, can visit places where also local people are respected regardless of their sexual orientation.” Thomas Bömkes pointed out, that the economic potential of this travel market cannot be underestimated: “Studies have shown that accepting diversity can contribute significantly to a destination’s economic success.“

LGBT tourism has been represented at ITB Berlin since the Nineties. As a result of ITB Berlin’s CSR policy which promotes diversity and defends human rights in tourism and due to the keen interest expressed by exhibitors and visitors, Gay & Lesbian Travel was officially declared a segment in its own right at ITB Berlin 2010. Openness, creativity and lively interaction are the dominant features of this segment that has become one of the most wide-ranging at ITB Berlin. The LGBT Travel Pavilion currently boasts the world’s largest display of products for the gay and lesbian travel market of any trade show in the world.

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