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The Seychelles captures the Israeli market at Trade and Media Events

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Successful marketing mission held by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and its local trade partners has showcased the Seychelles Islands’ pristine beauty to the Israeli city of Tel- Aviv during a two-day event on September 11 and 12, 2019.

The event opened with a press meeting held in Tel Aviv Centre, where approximately 18 tourism journalists and leading bloggers were present.

During her presentations to the press Mrs. Sherin Francis, STB Chief Executive elaborated on the privilege of having Seychelles as one of the preferred destination to the Israeli market.

On his part the Air Seychelles CEO, Mr. Remco Althuis, talked about the upcoming flights between Seychelles and Tel Aviv while STB Director for Europe, Bernadette Willemin, provided detailed information about the diverse offers the Seychelles has for visitors through a destination presentation.

Mrs. Francis also took the opportunity to discuss the Seychelles’ close-to-heart ecological positions and green policies. Her interventions also updated the press about the Seychelles debt to nature swap as well as the Blue Bond project- a pioneering financial instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects,- whilst sharing the initiatives taking place in the Seychelles in terms of environment conservation.

The press meeting was followed by trade presentations and workshop at The Setai Hotel located in the Old City of Jaffa.

This event, was attended by the Seychelles Honorary Consul of Israel, Mr. Arie Goldstein, as well as 120 participants representing 55 different companies made up of Tour Operators, Travel Agents from both Free Independent Travellers (FTI) and Meetings, events and Incentive Travel Market (MICE).

STB Chief Executive once again emphasised the honour of counting the Israelis amongst the regular visitors in Seychelles, whilst highlighting the fact that the Air Seychelles flights will provide regular connections to the Islands increasing the opportunities for more visitors to enjoy the beauty of our pristine destination.  

Commenting on the importance of the Tel-Aviv marketing mission, Mrs. Francis mentioned that whilst a handful of agents and tour operators in Tel- Aviv were already selling the Seychelles, most had not yet seen its potential and now were keen on promoting it.

“We have received a very warm welcome from our partners in Tel- Aviv, from the feedback received on grounds, we are confident that, this two-day event has been an additional support to our marketing efforts to promoting the destination. We have definitely highlighted the philosophy of Seychelles as a pristine and green- must visit destination for one to tick on their bucket list,” said Mrs. Francis 

Aside from presentations by the different local partners present, exhibiting their products and companies, there were also business-to-business workshops, which gave way to one on one meetings.

During the two-day event, a dinner cocktail was held by the STB, where partners were given a chance to network with invitees.

The STB delegation and partners seized the opportunity, whilst in Tel Aviv, to set up appointments with key market players; there were meetings with major tour operators as well as Ethiopian airlines and Turkish airlines.

Mrs. Francis further mentioned her satisfaction and gratitude to the participating companies who collaborated with the STB team to make the event a success.

The trade partners consisted of DMCS including Creole Travel Service, Mason’s Travel and 7-Degree South and hotels establishments namely Four Seasons Seychelles, Frégate Island Private, Avani Seychelles, The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach, Constance Hotels & Resorts and Raffles were present to market their services for the two days. The team were also accompanied by the national airline Air Seychelles with representative Christine Ozouf.

Aside from Mrs. Francis, the STB Team was represented by Ms. Bernadette Willemin – Regional Director for Europe and Ms. Monette Rose Director for Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Mediterranean.

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

African Tourism Board giant step into the UK market

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The Association of National Tourist Offices and Representatives  (ANTOR) recently joined the African Tourism Board as a member.

At the same time, Representation Plus joined the fast-growing platform of the African Tourism Board.

Alison Cryer, the founder of Representation Plus told eTurboNews: ” I strongly believe the best way for Africa to become a leading tourism destination is to work together as a region in the same way the the CTO and PATA have succeeded in developing tourism in the Caribbean and Pacific Asia.

We have worked with many countries across Africa helping them to develop tourism from the UK & Europe including The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique, Uganda, East Africa Tourism Association and Tunisia as well as private sector operators in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, and Tanzania too.

We would like to help to raise the profile of Africa and it’s member states and increase sustainable tourism to the region.

We are a fully integrated marketing agency providing traditional and digital solutions to Tourism growth on permanent representation or ad hoc project basis. “

Juergen Steinmetz, the African Tourism Board Chief Marketing Officer said: “We are very pleased to have both ANTOR and Representation Plus join us. The U.K. is one of our most important market we clearly put a special focus on. With the help of  leaders like Alison Cryer, and with ANTOR representing tourism boards in the U.K., this is a giant step forward for ATB’s outreach in Britain. We’re hoping this will encourage many more new members from Britain to join us.”

ANTOR is the principal lobbying organization for the world’s tourist offices. Its UK membership comprises national and regional tourist offices which are represented in Britain.

ANTOR’s objectives include providing a fraternal forum for its members to meet and exchange ideas, to forge close relationships with all other sectors of the travel industry; to be recognised as one of the foremost advocates of responsible tourism and to comment on a wide range of issues affecting worldwide travel and tourism.

ANTOR UK is a voluntary, non-political organization which was established in 1952.

Founded in 2018, the African Tourism Board an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to the African region. ATB is based in Pretoria, South Africa with members across the African continent.

Welcome to African Tourism Board

MEDIA CONTACT: TravelMarketingNetwork, 954 Lexington Ave. #1037, New York, NY 10021 USA, PH: (+1) 718-374-6816, [email protected]   

American collaborators in key US cities enjoy a feel of the Seychelles Islands

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Seychelles’ visibility in the United States of America received an added boost during the month of June following the Seychelles North America Roadshow, organized by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) in four major US cities in the states of Florida and California respectively.

The series of workshops started in Washington, DC, on Monday, June 10, in the cities of Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and ending in Orange County in Los Angeles on Friday, June 14.

During the roadshow, the STB Regional Director for Africa and the Americas, Mr. David Germain, who headed the Seychelles delegation, maximized on the opportunity to increase the knowledge of the North American trade partners on the destination.

The delegation was comprised of representatives from the Seychelles national airline, Seychelles Destination Management Companies (DMC), and hotel partners, who on their part, emphasized on the training of the new American collaborators on the various products and services available in Seychelles.

The Air Seychelles North America office was represented by Sascha Henckell, and representing the DMCs were Mr. Lorenzo Giani from 7° South and Mr. Eric Renard from Creole Travel Services.

The hotel partners participating in the roadshow through the presence of their representatives were the Four Seasons Hotel Mahé & Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island represented by Karen Lipka Whitaker, the Constance Hotels & Resorts Seychelles represented by Barbara Gajotto, Lylie Moolman on behalf of Giltedge Ocean Travel, and Mr. Lorenzo Giani for Tsogo Sun Hotels, the Paradise Sun & Maia.

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

“This was the first edition of the “Seychelles North America Roadshow,” he said.

“Our exhibitors and participants were extremely pleased with the outcome of the workshops in the various cities, as they had face-to face-meetings with the trade partners, established working relationships, and provided them with the necessary tools and support required to better sell Seychelles in North America.”

The Seychelles North America Roadshow is expected to become a yearly event and has been included in the STB marketing activity plan for the North American Market next year, 2020, taking place in the United States again during the month of June in the following cities: Dallas, Philadelphia, a city in North Carolina, and Atlanta.

According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, 4,867 visitors from North America visited Seychelles from January to May this 2019 with visitors travelling from Mexico, Canada, and the United States representing an increase of 8 percent over the 2018 figures for the same period.

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

Les Escapades Seychelles 2019, another Successful Edition for the Destination

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Held from June 4, 2019 to June 6, 2019, the 16th Edition of the annual Roadshow – Escapades Seychelles received a notable success in the hexagon, as the beauties of the destination was showcased in three major cities.

The train-and-dine events, which took place in three cities in France namely Nice, Paris and Lille, were organised by the Seychelles Tourism Board office in France with the collaboration with various trade partners from Seychelles.

On the tourism board side, the Seychelles delegation consisted of the STB France based Regional Director for Europe, Mrs. Bernadette Willemin alongside Jennifer Dupuy and Myra Fanchette both Marketing Executives from the same office.

The partners representing the Seychelles trade included Wendy Tan from Berjaya Hotels, Castello Beach Hotel-Le Duc de Praslin Hotel & Villas-Valmer Resort was represented by Derek Savy, Virginie Fimbel attended on behalf of Constance Hotels and Resorts.

In addition, present at the Escapades Seychelles was Guillaume Albert who represented the Domaine de l’Orangeraie, Domaine de La Reserve and Cat Cocos Ferry while Devi Pentamah and Vicky Ja’far represented Hilton Seychelles and The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach respectively.  

All parties promoting the features of the destination alongside the services and activities available, through two different formats including giant screen presentations in Nice and Lille and B2B Workshop in Paris.

Speaking about the success of the dedicated Seychelles Roadshow organized by STB office in France, Mrs. Bernadette Willemin the Regional Director for Europe stated that the event has been a popular and possible event for the past 16 years because of the continuous support and efforts of our faithful trade partners.

“This strong partnership between the local partners and the Seychelles Tourism Board in France has contributed to the overall awareness of the destination and for the past few years, we have seen an increase in figures to the Seychelles from this area. It is very important to continue hosting such dedicated Seychelles events abroad, thus bringing our beautiful islands, into the limelight and forefront together with the unified help of our trade partners,” said Mrs. Willemin.

Throughout the various presentations in the three cities, the images and descriptions of the Seychelles islands conquered the attending participants through its message of exclusivity.

The Escapades Seychelles 2019 successfully conveyed the message of the destination being a unique one, setting Seychelles apart from its competitors, as a destination of choice amongst the travel trade who are actively selling the destination. 

This annual event not only delivers the impact of the beauty of our islands and the reasons to visit, but also creates an amazing bond between the tourist office and all its partners, who together as a team stood side by side, in this edition of the Escapades Seychelles, proudly presenting travel to the Seychelles …..Another world.

The Seychelles Escapades will come back to France and Benelux 01st – 05th June 20.

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

Four countries, 4 days, 1 destination: Seychelles Eastern European Roadshow 2019

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On May 27, 2019, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) set off for its annual Seychelles Dedicated Roadshow in Central and Eastern Europe.

The event lasted for 4 days during which representatives of hotels and DMC companies from the Seychelles Islands had an opportunity to meet potential trade partners in 4 countries including Poland (Warsaw), Czech Republic (Prague), Slovakia (Bratislava), and Hungary (Budapest).

The events organized by the STB aimed at reinforcing the presence and image of the destination as well as providing a refined business platform for partners to meet with the leading tour operators and agents in these four countries.  

Ms. Karen Confait, Director Scandinavia, Russia /CIS & Eastern Europe and Ingrid Laurencine, Marketing Executive from Headquarters represented STB, during this intensive Seychelles promotion.

A group of eight partners representing the Destination Management Companies and hotel establishments accompanied them.

DMC partners on the Eastern Europe roadshow included Creole Travel Services represented by Eric Renard, 7° South represented by Marta Kalarus (Warsaw, Prague and Bratislava) and Krisztina Miklos (Budapest) and Mason’s Travel represented by Gerhard Bartsch.

On the hotel establishment sides, Marie Kremer represented Four Seasons Resorts Seychelles, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, was represented by Maria Eremina, Agata Sobczak was present on behalf of Kempinski Resort Baie Lazare, Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino & Berjaya Praslin Resort, represented by Wendy Tan and finally representing Savoy Resort & Spa and Coral Strand Hotel, was Svetlana Davydkina.

In Warsaw, the evening took place at the newly opened and stylish luxury Raffles Europejski Warsaw that opened its doors with brand new conference facilities.

While in Prague, the well-known luxury Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa was chosen to host the event, in Bratislava the dinner was hosted on a Danube River in the picturesque River’s Club venue with the beautiful view over the Bratislava Castle. The final stop of the Roadshow was celebrated in the Corinthia Hotel Budapest in a historic Grand Ball room.

In the four cities, the STB team opted for the train and dine format, which included a welcome mingle, followed by B2B meetings-during which all partners had a chance to present their products and discuss business opportunities with the tour operators and agents.  Events in all four cities were attended by over 200 agents, most of which specialises in leisure and some on in MICE travel. The dinners ended with a raffle, where guests had a chance to win prizes from the partners. The prizes included stays in the various hotels in Seychelles, transfer and excursion as well as memorable gifts from the Seychelles Islands.

The workshop format, which was added last year in addition to the presentations, has proved to be ideal as it provides partners more time for in-depth one to one discussion.

Speaking about the Seychelles dedicated roadshow, STB Director Scandinavia, Russia /CIS & Eastern Europe, Ms. Karen Confait, stated her satisfaction to see new partners attending every year.

She added that the event is also the perfect platform to catch up with current partners and to refresh their minds about the destination but also motivate them to sell. Through the various presentations, STB and the Seychelles partners are able to showcase the immense diversity and variety the islands have go offer, in terms of its people, culture, islands and properties and services available.

“Eastern Europe is a growing market for Seychelles and our dedicated roadshow over the past 5 years has been key in growing Seychelles share of the business. The two largest market in the region, Czech & Poland has shown a significant increase of 45% & 19% respectively for Jan to April 2019 compared to the same period last year. So far, the figures are very encouraging, and I believe that together with the local partners, STB can further develop this region, which has immense potential for Seychelles. Furthermore, the roadshow’ success could not have been possible without the support of the hotels and DMCS,” said the Director of Scandinavian, CIS & Eastern European Markets.

On their part, the travel trade in the four countries confirmed that the destination is growing, with the economy doing well people are looking for destinations like Seychelles for their holidays.

The Seychelles dedicated roadshow, a well-established event since its start over five years ago is now a highlight on the Central and Eastern European market.

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