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The Seychelles welcomes Sky News Arabia to its shores

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Sky News Arabia in partnership with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), embarked on a 5-day journey to the Seychelles showcasing the Islands’ lush biodiversity and vibrant creole culture on the TV channel’s morning show, Hakibat Safar. 

The Hakibat Safar show, a weekly segment where the hosts explore cultures and attractions of different destinations, giving their UAE audience an insight into these countries, enticing them to visit these locations themselves.

During their stay in Seychelles, the Sky News team explored the capital of Victoria, enjoying the destination’s rich historical and cultural memoirs from the iconic Clock Tower and Natural Museum to the small souvenir shops scattered all over the town.

Taking advantage of the tropical weather, the team participated in several activities including zip lining and water sports such as diving and snorkeling in the crystal blue waters, observing the vibrant marine life.

Since a trip to the Seychelles would be incomplete without visiting, its pristine beaches it is so well known for, the Sky News Arabia team made no exception to the rule. One of those beaches visited by the team is the Anse Lazio beach situated on the second largest islands of the Seychelles, Praslin. The island is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vallée De Mai, where the team explored the site’s verdant biodiversity, including the Coco de Mer, the world’s largest nut indigenous to the Seychelles. 

To complete their memorable experience of the Creole culture and the destination, the Sky News Arabia team had the opportunity to indulge in a range of culinary delights within the stretch of their 5-day stay at the destination.

Mr. Ahmed Fathallah, Account Manager for STB Office in Dubai expressed his satisfaction to have had the prestigious television team in Seychelles.

“To experience is one of the most effective methods to entice the clients as they can passionately share their experience and advise which product and services will be suitable for each segment. We will continue to partner with esteemed entities in the region as this serves as a valuable tool,” says Mr. Fathallah.

The Sky News team was hosted by the H Resort Beau Vallon Beach during their stay.

After their trip, the Sky News Team was able to present their experience to their audience, showing them why the Seychelles is one of the most alluring island destinations in the world.

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

Seychelles shines at Modetour Travel Mart 2019

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) participated for the first time in the sixth Mode Tour Travel Mart exhibition from the September 5 to September 8, 2019, at COEX exhibition center, in Seoul South Korea. 

The four-day exhibition for the trade and consumers garnered the participation of 57 destinations, with 550 booths from 420 organizations and companies, including tourism boards, airlines and hotels.

Mrs. Amia Jovanovic Desir, the STB Director for India, South Korea, Australia and South East Asia and Mrs. Judy Yun, Account manager of the STB Office in South Korea represented Seychelles at the exhibition.

The STB Director mentioned that the STB’s presence at the South Korean trade event follows the warm welcome received in the country as the STB team conducted a sales visit in June this year.

Team Seychelles had a prime marketing opportunity to market the destination to South Korean trade partners on the first event day, which was Business-to-Business event. 

As part of its strong strategic approach to further encourage selling the destination at the event, the STB team launched the sales contest; an initiative to reward the top three agents who have sold the most packages between October 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020 with an opportunity to conduct an educational familiarization trip to Seychelles.

The concept was received successfully as numerous partners and travel professionals who visited the STB stand showed strong interest to join the contest.

 The South Korean agents present at the exhibition also received a copy of the list of the Destination Management Companies, (DMCs) in Seychelles.

The last three days of the fair were dedicated for individual consumers. Reiterating the success encountered on the first day with the trade partners, the STB team witnessed with pleasure positive response on the consumer Spinning Roulette Event initiative organized at the STB stand to catch the attention of visitors.

 The fun based initiative require for each participant to say the word “Seychelles” out loud and spinning the roulette to receive a branded item from STB including a water bottle or sports towels.

As members of the public waited to spin the roulette, they had the chance to view Seychelles destination videos as well as the different promotional materials, which the team distributed to them.

Speaking about the success of the three consumer days, Mrs. Jovanovic Desir mentioned that the STB stand received over 1500 visitors including families, couples and children, who enjoyed the roulette and at the same time got the chance to learn about Seychelles.

“We had an opportunity to engage visitors planning to visit and explore our islands on their next holiday, they had the opportunity to seek additional information and queried of how to best to organize their visit. It is essential to add that there is a broad range and balance of segmented interest, apart from the usual thinking that Seychelles is only a honeymoon destination for the South Koreans,” said the STB Director at the event.

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

Sky Blues for the Multiply Titans in Seychelles once again

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The popular South African cricket team, Multiply Titans, once again visited the Seychelles as part of their pre-season tour.

Organized by Gran Kaz entertainment, alongside various partners including the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), the Multiply Titans’ stay is the second consecutive visit the celebrity team has undertaken in the paradise like destination.

The team arrived on the new Air Seychelles aircraft, “Veuve,” on Wednesday, August 21, along with their coach, Mark Boucher and team administrator, Karen Smithies.

As part of their pre-season tour, the team hiked the Trois Freres trail with the Seychelles Police Defense Forces on Thursday for an extensive workout.

The Titans also hosted the second edition of the Children’s cricket clinic on Mahé, at Stad Popiler on Saturday, which gave approximately 200 local children the opportunity to learn more about cricket.

The clinic was followed by a charity golf match in the afternoon at the Anse aux Pins golf course. Closing off their Seychelles tour, the Titans engaged in a friendly match against the Gran Kaz Kings on Sunday, where they defended their T20 title from last year.

Aside from focusing on their pre-season preparation, the Titans had an opportunity to experience the destination as they enjoyed a sea excursion on Creole Travel’s “Odezir,” where they also had the chance to visit Moyenne.

The team were further exposed to the Seychelloise lifestyle with a beach barbecue creole night evening, at Avani Barbarons, where they resided during their stay.

During the evening, the South African celebrity guests enjoyed the fine taste of our local cuisine and the expression of the local talents through our traditional dances. 

The team also experience the warm Seychellois Welcome as the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Minister Didier Dogley and the STB Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis made a point to meet with them.

Speaking about the second visit of the Multiply Titans, Mrs. Francis commended Gran Kaz and its partners to commit to such a great event, which adds to the visibility of the destination.

“It is always a delight to have celebrities over on our shores; this second visit from the South African Titan is another opportunity for us to shine as multi-faced destination. The calendar of activities included a myriad of the best available activities in Seychelles. The best ambassadors for Seychelles remain the people, who have had a memorable time after all and it is all we aim to achieve as we partnered with the organizers,” said Mrs. Francis.

As a form of gratitude, the Titans gave their sponsors signed t-shirts during a farewell event at Kenwyn House.

The Titans’ five-day stay in Seychelles was documented by a DStv production crew.

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

Seychelles to benefit from Air Mauritius connectivity from Réunion through Mauritius hub

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Making the most of her official mission and presence in Reunion, Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Regional Director for Europe, Mrs. Bernadette Willemin and Ms. Bernadette Honore, STB senior Marketing Executive on the island paid a courtesy call to Air Mauritius team based in the city of Saint Denis.

The visit followed the recent confirmation of Air Mauritius serving Seychelles on a twice-weekly basis effective July 2, 2019.

Potential visitors from Réunion, Madagascar, South Africa, Australia and some 18 other destinations served by Air Mauritius would be having access to Seychelles through the Mauritius hub.

The STB team had the immense pleasure of being welcomed at the Air Mauritius office by Mr. Robert Bourquin, Air Mauritius Director in Réunion and his commercial team.

During the meeting, discussions were held on the importance of Air Mauritius operation in Réunion, they further discussed the connection to Seychelles via Mauritius and the commercial effort in progress from the part Réunion Travel Trade professionals to commercialise the route and drive traffic from Réunion to Seychelles.

The STB Team stated the opportunity to have the MK airline and connecting flight as an option to Réunion- Mauritius –Seychelles. Mrs. Willemin stated that it would open the destination to travellers in Réunion and elsewhere to visit Seychelles.

The team added that the new connection would pave the way for combined packages within the region operated by Air Mauritius airline.

The STB team in Réunion will be collaborating with Air Mauritius to push their marketing plan in Réunion to commercialise the route among Réunion travellers.

“Currently, Air Austral is operating the Réunion – Seychelles route on a twice-weekly flights during Réunion holiday seasons and one weekly flight out of Réunion holiday seasons. Seychelles having Air Mauritius positioning additional flights in Réunion -Seychelles route connecting through Mauritius hub will compliment and boost air connectivity,” said Ms. Honore, STB representative on the Reunion market.

Air Mauritius flight will be operating at both Saint Denis and Pierre Fond airports.

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

New culinary experiences launched in Victoria Falls

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Earlier this year Pure Africa Destination Management announced its latest restaurant management partnership with Afro-Chic destination venue Zambezi House Restaurant, which was voted as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Restaurants in the World’ by Condé Nast Traveller.

The team at Pure Africa have since then been busy with the reimagination of designing culinary journeys in Victoria Falls for the menu relaunch of Zambezi House, which has taken much of its inspiration from the meandering journey of the venue’s key feature, the Zambezi River.

Pure Africa recently appointed head chef Mike van Rooyen for the development of the latest tasting menu at Zambezi House, forming part of the greater Pure Africa culinary art initiatives aiming to raise the benchmark for food tourism in Victoria Falls.

Our passion is rooted in travel, innovation, design, culinary art and impact, which form our company’s philosophy in looking to awaken this new African spirit together with local talent, international culinary techniques served with the key ingredient, which is warm Zimbabwean hospitality.

“Seasonal ingredients and traditional dishes reimagined, prepared with local knowledge, global culinary techniques and eventually served with the key ingredient, which is warm Zimbabwean hospitality.”

Pure Africa has coincided the latest Zambezi House menu offering, launching in early May 2019 with full day culinary packages for those travellers looking to experience the local food scene in Victoria Falls;

Pure Africa Culinary Journeys in Victoria Falls:

Historic Tram & Bridge Tour + Zambezi House Dinne

What to expect:

A guided tram tour of Victoria Falls Bridge paired up with freshly baked gourmet sandwiches to start, followed by a craft gin pop-up bar and gourmet snack table overlooking the spray of the Falls from the Zambian border and ending off with a three-course dinner tasting menu to be enjoyed later that evening at Zambezi House Restaurant.

Culinary Features:

Artisanal Sandwiches, Pimm’s Train Station Bar, Craft Gin & Tonic Pop Up Bar, Gourmet Scenic Snacks and a three-course Zambezi House dinner experience.

Luxury Deck Sunset River Cruise + Zambezi  House Dinner

What to expect:

A sunset river cruise down the Zambezi paired up with a relaxing three-course dinner experience perched on the edge of the river.

Culinary Features:

Gourmet sunset tasting boards, craft selection of premium beverages onboard the sunset river cruise followed by a three-course Zambezi House tasting menu prepared by head chef Mike Viljoen.

For more information about Pure Africa Destination Management and their latest culinary journeys please email or visit the Pure Africa Destination Management website.

Travel News | eTurboNews

IMEX exhibitors invited to make Sustainable Exhibiting Pledge

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IMEX in Frankfurt has invited exhibitors at this year’s show (21 -23 May) to make a Sustainable Exhibiting Pledge as it continues to increase its commitment to demonstrating and leading through best practice in sustainability.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, said: “Our approach to sustainability is to lead by example, to encourage others to aim higher and to shine a spotlight on key industry campaigns. This year I’m inviting exhibitors to make a sustainable exhibiting pledge, to implement three simple green initiatives to help reduce their environmental impact at the show. A list of ideas on how to do this features in our IMEX in Frankfurt 2019 Sustainable Exhibiting Guide.”

In January the IMEX Group highlighted its commitment by making sustainability the third ‘pillar’ of this year’s IMEX Talking Point “Imagination.”

Carina Bauer explained: “We’re asking everyone in the global meetings industry to imagine a new beginning: to ask what if we all really committed to cutting down waste?

“We’ve continued to improve our own sustainability performance at both of our shows each year and we’re proud to say that our Frankfurt show is now 100 per cent hydro-powered. Thanks to our waste donation program plus the responsible recycling systems at Messe Frankfurt, we now send zero waste to landfill. This is virtually unheard of in the exhibition business!

“Our work to reduce and recycle more waste generated by both exhibitors and visitors is explained in our first ever IMEX in Frankfurt sustainability report which joins our annual IMEX America sustainability report.”

In line with its determination to lead the industry forward, IMEX was a launch partner when the Events Industry Council introduced its Principles of Sustainable Events in January after hosting two forums at IMEX in Frankfurt and IMEX America in 2018 when these principles were formulated.

A further element of its commitment to leading the industry, the IMEX team believes in sharing what it knows and has learned through experience. At IMEX in Frankfurt, learning about sustainability will feature prominently throughout the show. Starting on EduMonday, 20 May, there will be more than 20 opportunities to learn about sustainability among the 250 plus sessions in the extensive education program at the Inspiration Hub. What’s more, the first ever Sustainability Policy Round table, supported by Edmonton, will bring together industry leaders and experts to share insights at the InterContinental Frankfurt on 21 May.

Furthermore, in partnership with the Events Industry Council (EIC), IMEX will salute an organization making a significant commitment to reducing its environmental impact by announcing the winner of the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award at the IMEX Gala Dinner on 22 May.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, says: “At both shows we continue to work closely with our partners including Meet Green, EIC, The Venetian®| The Palazzo® and the Sands Expo®, Messe Frankfurt and GES. We are wholeheartedly committed to providing education, inspiration and leadership on sustainability issues. The business events industry still has a long way to go before thinking green is the first thought, not the last.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

South African Tourism appoints Trade Relations Officer

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Sherwin Arends joins South African Tourism (SAT) as Trade Relations Officer, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role following 12 years’ experience working within the travel industry.

Originally from Cape Town, Sherwin moved to the UK six years ago after travelling the world as a member of cabin crew for Qatar Airways. His most recent role was Senior Product Executive for Audley Travel.

Sherwin will be tasked with building and maintaining relationships with key travel trade contacts in the UK and Ireland while utilising South African Tourism’s research and insights to ensure the agents are provided with all the tools and support to confidently sell South Africa.

Sherwin says: “I’m very passionate about my birth country and proud of my South African heritage so I am thrilled to be joining the South African Tourism team in the UK. I’m looking forward to showcasing South Africa as a leading tourist destination, with a focus on promoting the well-known areas and experiences and helping to uncover and educate the trade on the destination’s hidden gems.”

Tolene van der Merwe Hub Head for the UK & Ireland at South African Tourism says: “We are delighted that Sherwin will be joining our growing team. His wealth of industry knowledge combined with his personal experience of South Africa will be invaluable as we collectively promote the destination to holidaymakers through the UK and Irish trade.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

Barbican beefs up sales team

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The Barbican, a conference and international arts venue located in London, has appointed Jenny Waller as head of sales. The expanded role will see Jenny managing the growing sales team, which includes a renewed focus on international and association markets. Jenny will be supported in her role by the newly-appointed deputy head of sales, Charlie Smith.

Jenny has been promoted from the role of senior account manager within the Barbican team, where she has already achieved a number of significant wins for the world-leading arts and conference venue. These include major corporate and association events due to take place over the coming 24 months. Prior to working at the Barbican Jenny spent four years developing industry knowledge and expertise at Park Plaza Hotels.

Charlie returns to the Barbican, where he worked as an account manager for two years between 2016 and 2018. Other experience includes time developing sales skills at both Dreamland and HMS President.

“The Barbican is going from strength to strength,” commented Jackie Boughton, head of business events at the Barbican. “Last year we opened and showcased our new cinema offering, comprised of two cinemas and supporting food and beverage, as well as exhibition or networking space capable of seating up to 150 for conferences, meetings and private screenings. When added to our wider offering it makes the Barbican one of Europe’s most comprehensive venues. This in turn has led to an increase in both association and international bookings. Jenny has been instrumental in that success over the last year and was therefore the perfect choice to take on the demanding role leading our sales team. It is also a real pleasure to welcome Charlie back to the team – his in-depth knowledge of the venue is already having a significant impact on new business development.”

Jenny responded by saying: “This is a new and exciting challenge for me. Over the course of the next year I am particularly looking forward to working alongside our association specialists as we develop that market, whilst supporting our work with a strong presence at major international trade shows and events. The UK of course remains our core market and we are delighted by the ongoing support we receive from domestic clients booking direct or via our agency partners. However, there is still significant opportunity for us to develop internationally – particularly given our ability to partner with the Barbican International Enterprises team to deliver truly inspiring content and theming. The addition of Charlie to the team ensures we have the ongoing experience and depth of knowledge needed to deliver to the highest standards for our clients.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

Russia to use Fan-IDs (again) as visas for 2020 UEFA Euro Cup visitors

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Upper house of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, have passed on Monday a bill allowing foreign tourists with Fan-IDs to travel to Russia without entry visas for matches of the 2020 UEFA Euro Cup.

Last week, the bill was passed in the third and final reading by lawmakers from the State Duma, the parliament’s lower house, and following today’s approval by the senators, it must be signed into law by the Russian president.

“Within the period, which begins 14 days prior to the first match of the 2020 UEFA Euro Cup in Saint Petersburg and ends on the day of the last match [in St. Petersburg], the entrance to Russia for foreign citizens and stateless persons, who come to Russia to watch 2020 UEFA Euro Cup matches, will not require issuance of visas based on identification documents,” according to the explanatory note.

Addressing a government’s session in mid-March, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that the country planned “to employ the same mechanism we used in the past regarding the issuance and operational rules of Fan-IDs.”

Russia came up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with an innovation, which was the so-called Fan-ID and was required for all ticketholders. This innovation was successfully tested during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia and earned high marks from the world’s governing football body of FIFA.

The Fan-ID played an important security role during the major football tournament in Russia as it granted admittance to the stadiums and also served as visa for foreign visitors to enter the country.

A Fan-ID holder was allowed to enter the country without having a Russian visa and stay for the duration of the global football tournament. Fan-IDs were obligatory, in addition to purchased tickets, in order to attend matches of the 2018 World Cup tournament in Russia.

2020 UEFA Euro Cup

The matches of the 2020 Euro Cup will be held at stadiums in 12 different cities across Europe, namely in London (England), Munich (Germany), Rome (Italy), Baku (Azerbaijan), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Bucharest (Romania), Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Dublin (Ireland), Bilbao (Spain), Budapest (Hungary), Glasgow (Scotland) and Copenhagen (Denmark).

Russia’s second largest city of St. Petersburg was granted the right to host three group stage matches and one of the quarterfinals of the 2020 UEFA Euro Cup.

The decision to hold the 2020 Euro Cup, which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary that year, in various European countries instead of in one or two hosting countries was made at the UEFA Executive Committee’s meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on December 6, 2012.

A total of 24 national football teams will be playing in the final tournament of the 2020 Euro Cup. All 55 UEFA national member teams, including 12 teams from the hosting countries, will have to play in the qualifying matches to vie for the berth in the final 24-team lineup of the quadrennial European football championship.

It is possible that some of the national teams from the hosting countries of the 2020 Euro Cup will not be playing on home soil in case they fail to clear the qualifying stage.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Air Seychelles gets ready for delivery of their first Airbus A320NEO

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Air Seychelles has over the past few months started to implement its training calendar in preparation for the delivery of the A320neo set for July 2019.

Last week, key staff members from the Technical Operations and Project Management including the Flight Operations team, as well as representatives from the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, attended the A320neo general familiarization training held in-house at the Air Seychelles head office in Pointe Larue.

The training held over four days, delivered by Mr. Michael Mahn, an experienced engineer from Airbus, provided the participants a general overview of the airframe that is the whole mechanical structure of the new aircraft. Currently another batch of staff members from similar areas within the business are also taking part in the training which commenced on Monday, April 15, and lasted until Thursday, April 18, 2019.

During the month of February, the Airbus Hamburg Training Centre welcomed the first group of Air Seychelles aircraft engineers as part of its comprehensive A320neo training program. The agenda composed of both theory and on-the-job experience provided the technical operations team further knowledge on how to conduct maintenance on the A320neo besides having the chance to view the Airbus assembly line.

Held from Monday, February 18, until Wednesday, February 27, the sessions in Hamburg were attended by engineers Clyne De -Letourdis, David Saminaden, and Denys Assan.

In addition to that, as of Tuesday, February 5, until Thursday, February 7, Manager of Cabin Safety Standards, Magdalena Hubert, and Manager for Cabin Safety Training Programs, Dereck Charlette, also had the chance to participate in the Airbus A320neo safety training held at the Airbus Training Centre Europe in Toulouse.

The training will proceed over the next upcoming months as part of the entry into service program of the new Air Seychelles A320neo aircraft.

The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority in the meantime is progressing the type approval of this new aircraft which had not been registered in the Seychelles before and, therefore, requires additional regulatory approvals and licensing measures.

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