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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.


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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.

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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, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles highlighted in Reunion Senior Trade Fair

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The destination was featured in Reunion’s 3rd edition of the distinguished Senior Trade Fair held in Reunion between May 31 to June 2, 2019.

The Seychelles Tourism Board’s (STB) participation in the 3-day consumer event focused on reinforcing Seychelles as a leisure destination for group travelers. The event, which regrouped over 100 exhibitors including service-providing experts in leisure, travel, and technologies under one roof, is viewed as the fundamental event in Reunion.

The Senior Trade Fair designed for group travelers – 50 and above – remains an opportunity for the STB to make its presence significant in increasing the number of tourism arrivals from the Reunion territory.

In their approach to the Reunion public, STB and Thomas Cook did not only share a co-branded stand to promote Seychelles as a holiday destination, the Reunion Travel Trade professional partner also proposed to all visitors special promotional offers for Seychelles. The features of the promotion custom-made a package specifically for this segment of travelers.

In addition, Thomas cook collaborated with its Destination Management Company in Seychelles, Mason’s Travel offering 2 nights at Indian Ocean Lodge and 2 nights at Carana Beach hotel in a draw held during the 3-day stand. Mason’s Travel also offered other prizes such as excursions and transfers.

Speaking about  the importance of STB’s participating to the Senior Trade Fair, STB Senior Marketing Executive based in Reunion, Ms. Bernadette Honore mentioned the remarkable turnout which will provide increased visibility for Seychelles as a destination that can be explored by group travelers for leisure

“Firming up our continued collaboration with Thomas Cook on this annual consumer trade fair highlighted the desire of Reunion Travel Trade professionals to grow this segment market to Seychelles. Reunion elderly population continued to be on the increase. Travelling is also one of their preferred hobbies. STB plans to continued working with this group travelers for leisure ensuring Seychelles capture part of this business,” said Ms. Bernadette Honore.

The STB representative also mentioned presence of important media such as Le Quotidien and Reunion Première at the Seychelles stand providing added visibility to the destination.

According to information gathered on an annual basis, 50 years and above are among one of the key potential travelers for leisure in Reunion, representing one quarter of Reunion population or around 62,000 people.

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

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

African Tourism Board to become the Voice for Africa: Interview on Good Morning Seychelles

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Talking Tourism, the African Tourism Board was the talking points on the Seychelles Television “Good Morning Seychelles’ (Bonzour Sesel) program with Barbara Hoareau.

The very popular and loved “Good Morning Seychelles” (Bonzour Sesel) television program hosted by Barbara Hoareau of SBC Seychelles recently welcomed Alain St.Ange, the President of the African Tourism Board (ATB) to discuss tourism in Africa and how the ATB could be that very catalyst to bring about the development of Brand Africa.

Alain St.Ange who was elected earlier this year as the President of the African Tourism Board on the sidelines of the World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town explained to Seychelles that the ATB was being managed from Pretoria in South Africa where the CEO and Vice President were based. The President of the African Tourism Board went on to speak about the latest country Uganda that became a member as he explained that the ATB would work with the new CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board to get out to the world the key USPs of Uganda and to support the relaunching of the Uganda Airlines.

Mr. St.Ange who was asked about whether the successes of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands could be replicated for Africa said that visibility for the continent and its member States would be a priority. “We shall work and will become the voice to dispel the negatives and bring out the successes and attractions,” he said as he deplored the fact that in the Indian Ocean Islands Seychelles and Mauritius were still not on board even though many in the private sector trade were already working with the ATB.

Alain St.Ange was the founding President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands and was the only one to have had his mandate extended for a consecutive two-term. He is now the founding president of the Africa Tourism Board.  St.Ange explained on air that when a disaster strikes the African Continent with its 54 States is affected and that this needed to change. “We shall be communicating as necessary and become that needed voice for Africa,” he said.

MEDIA CONTACT: TravelMarketingNetwork, 954 Lexington Ave. #1037, New York, NY 10021 USA, PH: (+1) 718-374-6816, marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com   

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