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The Seychelles Tourism Board to host the first Digital Marketing Fair in Seychelles

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Digital Marketing team once again brings in its ‘avant-garde’ touch to the industry as  it instigates the first ever Digital Fair for tourism Stakeholders.


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The fair, which will be held on Tuesday March 26, 2019 at Eden Blue on Mahé and Thursday March 28, 2019 at Pirogue Restaurant & Bar on Praslin targets at creating a platform for local service providers to interact with their clients.

The first digital marketing fair will be an opportunity given to all to meet various exhibitors in a central location to discuss about the available digital services and experience new digital trends available on the local market.

The fair will also provide the local tourism trade representatives attending with the opportunity to meet the STB digital marketing experts for further interaction regarding how to maximise on digital resources to enhance their business growth opportunities.

The exhibitors include representatives from Intelvision, Hoffman Business Consultancy, Com & Click, CTF Consultancy, Kokonet, Maven, Hotel Link Solutions, VCS Group, K-Radio, Vision 360, Rockit, Multimedia Seychelles, Airtel, Sales & Marketing Seychelles Pty Ltd.

Speaking of the importance of the fair, STB Digital Marketing Director Chris Matombe mentions the necessity to facilitate interaction between stakeholders and digital service providers.

“The aim of this digital fair is for us to have a stronger collective digital presence. Through our interaction with various small partners in the industry, we have noted that there is a lack of communication between the local tourism trade and the digital service providers. Our objective as an organisation is to bridge the gap and open doors for our stakeholders to increase their online presence,” Said Mr. Matombe.

STB Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis mentioned her satisfaction to see the fair being concretised; she commended the team for their efforts and expressed her desire to see more exhibitors join the project in the future.

“Our aim as the STB is to continuously raise the standards when it comes to the quality of service we provide. The fair is a perfect opportunity for all our partners to find a way to better their services. It adds to our marketing value as a destination and creates more visibility for their products and services and Seychelles as a whole,” said Mrs. Francis.

The digital marketing fair will be opened from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on Mahé and Praslin, the public is invited to visit the various stands to see the various products and services on display.

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Jamaica is PATWA’s Destination of the Year

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Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Director of Tourism, Donovan White accept the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association’s (PATWA) International Travel Award for Destination of the Year, which was given to Jamaica

Jamaica was today presented with the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association’s (PATWA) International Travel Award for Destination of the Year, in Berlin, Germany.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett said, “Jamaica is truly honoured to once again receive a prestigious award from the internationally recognized PATWA organization.

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Our country has been continuously creating innovative initiatives aimed at improving the destination, as well as bolstering our marketing efforts in new and emerging markets. I am very happy that we have been recognized for our hard work, during this event, among other leading destinations.”

The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), a professional organisation of travel writers, which was founded in 1998, organizes the event. The awards recognize individuals and organisations that have excelled and/or are involved in the promotion of tourism from different sectors of the travel trade and service providers related directly or indirectly to the industry.

The Minister also noted that locally, the industry continues to break records for arrivals and revenue earned, making it a critical industry in the country’s growth agenda.

“Destination Jamaica has been performing exceptionally well. I am very proud to say that each year we continue to see an increase in the number of visitors to our shores – most of which have been to our island at least once before. This I am sure can be credited to our beautiful attractions and of course friendly people, who have also been able to earn from the industry,” he said.

The total visitor arrivals for 2016 stood at 3,837,243 with 2,181,684 being stopovers. In 2017, total arrivals broke the 4 million mark to end the year at 4,276,189. The record-breaking streak continued into 2018 when the country welcomed 4,318,600 visitors.

The statistics show that last year stopover arrivals exceeded the previous year by 5.1 percent but when compared to 2016, growth was a whopping 13.3 percent. The USA market in particular, grew by 7.5 percent in 2018 over 2017.

Preliminary figures for airport arrivals for the period of January 1 to February 17 2019 show Montego Bay recording 275,902 and Kingston 44,400 for a total of 320,602. That is 31,172 or 10.2 percent increase in arrivals over the 2018 corresponding period.

The country also welcomed 469,000 cruise passengers, last month, which is 43,000 more tourists compared to the corresponding time last year

Projected figures for the 2018/19 fiscal year show gross earnings at US$3.334 billion, an 8.8 percent increase over the last fiscal year. Stopover arrivals are also projected at 2.713 million, which is a 6.2 percent increase.

The ceremony forms part of ITB Berlin, which is the largest tourism tradeshow in the world – the foremost business platform for global touristic offers and a prime marketplace and driving force behind the international tourism industry. It highlights hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, airlines among others related to the travel industry. ITB is also the ideal forum for establishing new customer contacts and conducting business.

The Minister is joined by Director of Tourism, Donovan White and the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Events Manager, Lorna Robinson. He will return to the island on March 9, 2019.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister in talks with potential Israeli investors

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Bartlett in talks with potential Israeli investors

Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says major hotel brands in Israel have expressed interest in investing in Jamaica and are expected to visit the island soon.

“I am very happy to share that our meetings in the Mediterranean have been very fruitful. We have met with a number of hoteliers including the luxury brand Brown Hotels. Their properties are a very trendy group, similar to the Hard Rock brand, and I am sure it will be a great addition to our Kingston or Montego Bay offerings,’ said the Minister.

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Brown Hotels is a rapidly-expanding global boutique hotel brand with roots in Tel Aviv. Conceived by native Israelis, Leon Avigad & Nitzan Perry with partner Nir Waizman. Their properties include four hotels in Tel Aviv, two in Jerusalem and one in Croatia.

The Minister also noted that the investors have accepted his invitation to visit Jamaica, and should be in attendance at the upcoming Jamaica Rum Festival.

The Festival, which will take place at place at Hope Gardens on March 9 and 10, is being presented by J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum brand in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). It aims to promote brand Jamaica, boost tourism in Kingston and showcase Jamaica’s cultural excellence in rum, food and music.

“I am looking forward to continuing our discussions when the team arrives in Kingston next month. I am also excited that they will get an opportunity to attend this major food festival we will be hosting in Kingston. This is a potentially big find and they are ready for the Caribbean particularly Jamaica because of our music and rum which are so appealing to young people,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Minister is currently in Israel to participate in the Annual International Mediterranean Tourism Market event.

The International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM 2019) is an annual tourism event that brings together professionals and service providers from the tourism industry and introduces new attractions and tourist destinations.

The Minister is expected to return to the island on February 18.

Local partners and tourism industry players to assist hosting first ever international tournament in Seychelles

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As the Seychelles destination is in anticipation of the MCB Staysure Tour event to start in one week-time, local partners and service providers have rallied to ensure the event to be hosted on Praslin between December 14, 2018 and December 16, 2018 is a success.

Parallel to Constance Lemuria preparing to welcome the final of the golf tournament, the organising committee is working effortlessly to guarantee that the necessary means are put in place so that the tournament runs smoothly.

From the minute the guests set foot on Seychelles’ soil, the organising committee, with the help of its various partners, are in charge of ensuring that the guests’ stay in paradise goes without any hiccups.

Amongst the various local companies who have offered to provide their support are local destination management companies Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel and 7 Degrees South, CAT COCOS, Takamaka Rum, ISPC Seychelles and Heineken.

The 32 professional golfers together with Staysure Tour Officials, MCB partners and the international press will touch down in Seychelles on December 11, 2018, flying in on-board an Air Seychelles flight from Mauritius.

The national airline will have three twin otters lined up to facilitate the transportation of golfers and their spouses and other invited guests to the second biggest island of Seychelles – Praslin.

Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel and 7 Degrees South will be catering and making provision for the complimentary transportation of the participants between venues.

The Operations Manager at 7 Degrees South, Ms. Lindy Cadeau, said that such is in line with the company’s vision of involving new grounds.

“The resources have all been adequately allocated specifically for the event which will surely be an ideal opportunity to allow more exposure to the home of the mystical Coco De Mer fruit and Seychelles in general,” said Ms. Cadeau.

She noted that the number of golf enthusiasts’ eager to attend destination tours over the years have grown significantly.

Discussing Mason’s travel participation in providing support to the golf, Mr. Alvis, General Manager of the company talked about the importance of seizing such an opportunity for Seychelles.

“Being part of the MCB-Staysure Golf event is an opportunity for us to show our pride as a local business to support such events being hosted in our country. We believe that our contribution to this event will not only help our company to get new clients but also the country to get new business through the interest that would be generated in this event,” said Mr. Alvis.

Responsible for the transfer of the golf tournament partakers’ equipment and luggage and the Staysure delegation, CAT COCOS is making available a complimentary chartered boat to Praslin.

Speaking about the Creole Travel Services’ commitment to be part of the MCB-Staysure Golf Tournament, Mr. Eric Renard, General Manager at the company mentioned the meticulous organisation behind the project from the organisation’s part.

“It is our pleasure to provide our support to such an international event. We have an active delegated department assigned to the task, ensuring that everything that is required from us is ready when the time comes. Events such as these are ideal to attract a niche market to the Seychelles, and as a dynamic local DMC, it is our duty to encourage the further growth and evolution of the Seychelles as a tourism destination.”

IPSC Seychelles, Heineken and Takamaka Rum will ensure that food and beverage are made available to the different members of the delegation as the golf tournament rolls on.

Talking about the investment made for the event by ISPC, Mr. Alfred Alain Fourcroy, ISPC’s Chief Executive and Partner mentioned that the company is making provision to serve their best brands at the various events.  He further mentioned that ISPC would also be assisting in serving Champagne to arriving guests on board the aircraft.

“Our involvement in this event was a natural step for us. We have been actively supporting golf since 2013 via our competitions/events and more recently since 2016 being involved within the Seychelles Golf Federation. We believe this event is an amazing opportunity for Seychelles and we are delighted to be on board,” said Mr. Alfred Fourcroy.

As another regular sponsor of golf events on our shores, the Takamaka Rum local distiller company took the opportunity to add its brand to the list of partners to the event.

“Takamaka Rum is very proud to be one of the sponsors of the MCB Tour championship; we have supported golf in Seychelles for many years so it was an easy decision to make to be a part of the best golfing event ever to come to our shores. Best of luck to the all the Golfers,” said Takamaka Rum Managing Director Mr. Richard D’Offay as he spoke about their association to the prestigious MCB-Staysure Golf Tournament.

With the tourism industry being the driving pillar of the economy of Seychelles, each member of the team has a specific role to play in making the first golf tournament in the 115-island archipelago of the Indian Ocean a success.

Hosting such a high profile golfing event will secure higher visibility for Seychelles, potentially attracting more golf enthusiasts to the country – the perfect opportunity for one to relax and lay back while still doing what they love.

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