Saint Ange Tourism Report 24th June 2019

This edition we applaude the words of the Seychelles Commissioner of Police, Mr Kishnan Labonte, where he moved to reassure the public that the country was safe and the police were following a number of leads on the recent armed attack on a shop.

On my part as the President of the “ONE SEYCHELLES POLITICAL PARTY” I issued a press release on the troubling matter that said:-

“Alain St.Ange in his capacity as Leader of the One Seychelles Political Party expresses his and his party’s regret and dismay at the incidence of attempted armed robbery that occurred in Bel Air yesterday evening. I must first of all congratulate members of the youth of Bel Air who came to the assistance of the attacked shopkeepers and managed to effect a ‘citizens arrest’, which will greatly help the police in the matter. My thanks and gratitude also goes to the nurse who acted fast to provide emergency assistance and take the wounded to the hospital. Such positive reactions strengthens my belief that despite all current challenges, the youth of our country will rise up to take Seychelles forward in the future. ” I annan marmay ki positiv la ater” St.Ange said.

“Having been a former elected Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Bel Air, this district is close to my heart and it appals me that such horrific actions have made its way to somewhere which has hitherto been a real peaceful corner of paradise. The fact that arms were involved in this incident emphasizes the fact that this is no ordinary theft and we cannot just blame it on drug-crazed addicts looking for money to finance their cravings. Rather, we are sadly looking at organized crime and the matter has to be treated very seriously. If our local authorities lack the manpower and knowhow to address this in such a way that there is no repetition, then it must seek help from countries and organizations such as UNODC. This must absolutely be nipped in the bud and administer punishments that send a strong message of deterrent to all who may think of repeating this barbarous and dangerous act. ‘One Seychelles’ will support every initiative which is aimed at dismantling organized crime while it is still budding in this country. As an open tourist dependent economy, and for our very own peace of mind and standard of living, we cannot afford to allow such atrocities to endanger the lives of our citizens and our guests or cause them to live in fear. Neither can we afford to have our reputation as a safe country tarnished overseas as this will adversely impact our pillar industry – tourism that we painstakingly built over the years.

As a former tourism minister and as an active leader tourism promoter in the region, on the mother continent and on the global arena, I know just how much damage such events do to destinations especially those as small as ours.  I reiterate the critical urgency to react swiftly to establish how weapons are now being used by lay persons to commit crimes.  Once the facts are established we need to severely deal with the perpetrators as a deterrent to others who might think of doing the same thing. Seychelles needs to see its political leaders preach peace and move away from disruptive calls of bitterness and anger” said Alain St.Ange before adding that he again congratulates the ones who went to the rescue of the shopkeepers, putting themselves at risk!”

My call has been re-echoed by the island’s Inter Religious Faith Body as they spoke at the 2019 National Day Celebrations. It is very clear that if we all preach peace our country shall in return receive peace.

Happy National Day Seychelles and to each and every Seychellois.

On the 29th June 1976 the Seychelles became an Independent Republic as it was granted its Independence by the British Government. In 2019, 43 years later the Seychellois Islanders are still taking stock of the eventful day that set our mid ocean islands on a journey by itself.

A joyful occasion it was in 1976 as many shed a tear when the Un ion Jack was lowered for the last time and replaced by the Republic of Seychelles very own flag. This was a day for nation building and where the islanders of these beautiful islands would be recognised as ‘one’, where the colour of the skin, political affiliation, religious beliefs, sexual preference amongst other rights would be respected and everyone with equal chances to a life in our islands.

Today in 2019 we still have a plague of ‘with us and not with us’ that continues to destroy the people of our country. Cost of food has gone through the roof, disparity in salary is at its worst ever. Our Country needs real positive change so badly. If politicians in office today were all on the salary of our homecarers, or if they were earning what our old pensioners get as benefits month after month cost of food would come down immediately. Seychelles is living a period of disconnect between the life enjoyed by politicians and what a Seychellois Islander has to succumb to. As we mark 43 years of Independence the challenges of our islanders remain real with the sad practice of “with us, or not with us” still punishing half of the population depending on which side of the fence is making the call. The insecurity has been raised a notch with even an armed robbery case all showing the gap in the lives of politicians and the people. The man on the road can say today to place politicians on the island’s minimum wage and cost of food would be reduced immediately as the minimum wage will be increased before they all die of starvation. Remove security personnel around the selected few and immediately Seychelles will see more resources pumped into the police is another call being aired these days.

The 43rd Independence Anniversary Celebrations must be a time for reflection as it is a time for celebrations.
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, H.E. Dr Hon Ralph Gonsalves at State was Guest of Honour at the 43rd Independence Anniversary Celebrations of Seychelles

Last week I attending the IATA Regional Aviation Forum – Ghana 2019  in Accra, Ghana. This regional event was convened under the theme “Aviation: Business for Regional Prosperity” and brought together more than 150 distinguished aviation experts, decision makers and influencers from airlines, airports, civil aviation authorities, air navigation service providers, travel agency associations, and government agencies from across the West and Central African region.

I was invited as the President of the African Tourism Board to this IATA special annual event where I participate as Moderator of a Panel Discussion on the topic “West and Central Africa as Preferred Tourism Destination: The Need for Greater Industry Synergy”. Discussions within the panel examined steps that West and Central African countries need to take to become preferred tourism destinations, including inducing synergy between sectors such as tourism, air transport, travel management and hotels.

Before the panel discussion session I addressed the IATA Summit and spoke on greater industry synergy saying that for West and Central Africa to be seen as the preferred tourism destination was a big ambition. My words to the summit was for tourism destinations to recognise their attractions, their key USPs, recognise their tourism players and to be reminded of the region in which they fell.

I said:- “Your mission as a country and as a region was to then get your key USPs know and to move in synergy to increase your visibility. You have but one tourism industry, one economy, one country and one region. You do not have one for the Public Sector and a separate one for the private sector. This is why working in synergy in the PPP was important. With the Civil Service Authority, the Tourism Board and the Private Sector Trade a tripartite synergy approach was deemed essential an approach. Position your countries, earmark thee products you have and that you are and set the price. This will give you the three ‘P’s for success:- Price, Product and Position. Visibility will move you forward but if it all remains ‘Best Kept Secrets’ it is all wasted and brings no benefits and no dividends to the people of your respective countries. Aviation remains your key partner for success, it is the enabler to economic development. The IATA calls it the bridge, I simply say it is the key. But air access must be easy access – most direct route at the most affordable prices. The time is to stop milking the cow approach. Taxes and Fees are helping to make Africa Aviation the most expensive region to operate in now being recorded as 45% more expensive than the norm with also 40% more expensive fuel. The time to stop talking and to start acting is now. Visa is another issue that needs urgent attention. Time to look at the big picture, the time to look at Africa and benefit from that approach instead of overtaxing at every opportunity. Seychelles where I come from has a ‘Friends of All and Enemy of None’ and has no visa requirements. A valid return ticket and a hotel voucher is all that is needed to gain access to our islands” is part of the recorded text of my intervention.

The IATA forum was the opportunity to highlight the socio-economic prosperity that aviation can generate if properly adopted by West and Central African countries. The panel I chaired comprised the Hon Dr Ziblim Iddi (MP), Minister of Tourism of Ghana, Mr Richard Kyerah, Head of Commercial of Africa World Airlines, Mrs Gloria Yirenkyi, Country Manager of South African Airways, Mr Bankole Bernard, President of National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents and Mr Ikechi Uko, Publisher of Africa Travel Quarterly.

‘PRESERVE SEYCHELLES’ LAUNCHING EVENT IS ON FRIDAY 5th JULY 2019

“Preserve Seychelles” Organisation is working with Seychelles for Seychelles and they are pleased to announce and invite one and all to their Launch Event on the 5th July 2019 from 7.00 pm to 2.00 am at the Chilli Bar and restaurant La Louise

The launch event will be marked by a Dinner Dance with live Entertainment with Band ‘Saturn’, plus a number of local artists who have been supporting the cause of ‘Preserve Seychelles’ since day one.

Everyone attending will be entered into a raffle with every ticket purchased.

During the evening event Preserve Seychelles will also be holding an Auction with interesting prizes inclusive of a painting from Michael Adams and amongst others.

Everyone is being encouraged to join together to be seen as supporting the noble cause of Preserving Seychelles.
‘Preserve Seychelles’ position vis a vis POLITICS

1- “Preserve Seychelles” is vehemently nonpartisan, apolitical, unpolitical yet very politically, socially and culturally active to Preserving Seychelles against the interest of the Geopolitics of the major powers, which always leads to the suffering of the local people.

2- No political Party may talk on their behalf.

3- ‘Preserve Seychelles’ invites all the NGO’s in Seychelles and all political parties to openly support their noble mission from their own platforms and add to their cause by coming out with statements of their own.
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