The Editorial this week highlights:- a. Our thoughts are with Mozambique, Zimbabwe & Malawi & the New Zealand Shooting. b.Congratulations to William Rose. c. Indonesia / Seychelles cooperation continues to be strengthened. d. Regional Cooperation – Reunion & Mayotte. e. Seychelles artists are heading to the Venice Biennale. f. Seychelles making news for park entrance fees as boat operators cry foul. Stand alone articles this week:- 1. The Seychelles Islands’ unique “Love Nuts”. 2.Hotel Updates:- Denis Private Island of Seychelles is shortlisted for Region’s Top Private Island in World Travel Awards. 3. Philippe Cornaille is head at JFA Group of Companies – Hotels Division in Seychelles. 4. Cat Roses 111 lands in Seychelles. 5. Seychelles mission recovers underwater drone (Video). 6. Sky News to broadcast live underwater from the Seychelles. 7. Young Seychelles researcher offered surprise, historic dive. 8. George Camille and Daniel Dodin to represent Seychelles at upcoming Venice Biennale. 9. World’s best sailing destinations by CNN Travel (Seychelles makes the list). 10. Seychelles eco-friendly efforts put forward to the German press during Seychelles delegation press conference organized during ITB. 11. Reunion Island confirms that the pillar of the NRL viaduct – Didier Robert Highway – has been placed. 12. Rizal Bin Yaacob is the new GM at Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel of Seychelles. 13. Seychelles bans Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737-9. 14. Regional Biodiversity Agency – Signature of Convention in Reunion Island. 15. Seychelles Tourism Board at Mahana Tourism Fair in France third-largest city. 16. Neuroscientists Strongly Recommend that You Visit the Beach Regularly. Here’s Why. 17. Reunion Island launches new interactive map of the island. 18. Closing Notes.
Alain St.Ange
Our thoughts are with Mozambique, Zimbabwe & Malawi
The recent cyclone to hit Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi caused many deaths and destroyed the livelihood of so many on the African mainland. In this difficult period for the people of these three countries, it is important for Africa and for the Community of Nations at large, to spare a thought for all those who are feeling the effects of this last cyclone.
During my campaign for the 2017 elections for the post of Secretary General of the UNWTO, I toured these countries and so many of the 54 States of Africa, and I appreciate the importance of their respective tourism industries to their economy for the livelihood of so many of their citizens.
The world news is reporting the fatal cyclone resulting in over eighty deaths in these three countries. This latest Cyclone named ‘Idai’ cut off power and communications in parts of Manicaland province on the border with Mozambique and some 40 people are still missing. People fled from their homes to the slopes of mountain and were waiting to be rescued, but strong winds have hampered helicopter flights.
We pray that all those affected have the strength and courage to face these difficult times.
& the New Zealand Shooting
Man-made disasters are more difficult to fully understand and the recent New Zealand shooting of innocent people is one such example. Here again, our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families and also to the Government and People of New Zealand. Even in the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Region this tragedy is being felt as a Mauritian National is listed amongst those who lost their lives.
Congratulations to William Rose
Official launch of “Cat Roses 111”
on Sunday 17th March at 2.30pm at Eve Island on Praslin
Yva Rose and Chiara Victor breaking the traditional bottle of champagne to officially baptise the new boat in the Cat Roses Fleet
William Rose with daughter Cyndy and grand daughter Chiara
William Rose, the very respected Praslin Islander has a made another giant leap forward this week with the arrival of his ‘Cat Roses 111’ ferry from Australia. William Rose has been the ferry operator between Praslin and La Digue since the 70s. His strength has been the punctuality of his service and the perfect state of his ferry boats. The arrival of his third boat is seen as a consolidation of his business venture.
Seychelles adopted a free market approach to its development and no restrictions are regulated on anyone who wishes to join this line of activity. William Rose said on Seychelles Television after the arrival of his new boat that competition is good and will ensure everyone provides a better service to the customers.
Today many smaller operators are finding their own entrance into the ferry service as the main ferry operators Cat Cocos and Cat Roses continue to ‘up’ the bar for comfort, speed and affordability for Seychellois and tourists alike.
On Sunday the 17th March at 2.30 pm at Eve Island on Praslin the boat “Cat Roses 111” was officially launched. After the blessing by the island priests, Yva Rose and Chiara Victor launched the boat with the traditional breaking of the bottle of champagne after Cyndy Rose had addressed all present on behalf of the Inter Island Ferry Company. Cyndy explained that in 2017 the Rose Ferry Company decided to invest in a new 27.5 meter ferry with 200 seating capacity. “We called in Captain Obren from Wild Cat Marine in Australia to start working on the project and on the design. On 15th December 2017 a contract was signed for the 4.5 million Australian Dollar investment with delivery set within 10 months. After over 1000 telephone calls and progressive changes to suit us and Seychelles, the ‘Cat Roses 111’ was ready on the 15th December 2018. William Rose was personally in Australia for the launch and sea trials and today as we launch our new ferry boat we say Thank God for a job well done” said Cyndy Rose.
William Rose used the launch of his latest ferry boat to show his continued commitment for social responsibility drive by handing a cheque to the Cancer Association and confirming his support for the Anse Reunion Football Team of La Digue.
Congratulations to William Rose and to the Rose Family. You do Seychelles proud, and you remain a real partner to the island’s tourism industry.
Indonesia / Seychelles cooperation continues to be strengthened
Standing with Dr. Ir. H. Isran Noor, the Governor of Kalimantan Region
Recently a three person delegation from Jakarta were in Seychelles and toured Mahe, Praslin and La Digue to have an idea of what Seychelle tourism was all about. This visit followed my own working fact finding visit to Indonesia where I was given a tour of many of their islands and well as key USPs. This week it was H.E. Dr. Ir. H. Isran Noor, the Governor of Kalimantan Region of Indonesia who was personally leading a working delegation to Seychelles.
I was able to spend a day with the Governor Dr. Ir. H. Isran Noor and after a working meeting I accompanied his as he toured Le Nautique small Hotel of Anse Royale and the Ephelia Resort before his visit to the purpose built Seychelles Tourism Academy.
The Indonesian Delegation was made up of some thirty officials and in the coming weeks I should undertake a follow up visit to the Kalimantan Region of Indonesia.
Regional Cooperation – Reunion & Mayotte
Reunion and Mayotte delegations meet to consolidate cooperation between the two islands
Reunion and Mayotte Islanders met last week to work out avenues of cooperation between the two islands especially in the field of tourism. Both islands are part of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands and realise the importance of working together for the betterment of their tourism industry.
It was the respected Azeddine Bouali form Tourism and Ports of Reunion was leading the Reunion delegation. He is a tourism planning personality who worked on such cooperation missions with many islands of the Indian Ocean.
Well done Reunion and Mayotte. Great move and with you continued success.
Seychelles artists are heading to the Venice Biennale
George Camille and Daniel Dodin heading to Venice in 2019
and George Camille & Leon Radegonde pictured with me at the
2015 edition of the event
The news that two Seychellois artists, George Camille and Daniel Dodin, will represent Seychelles at the world’s most prestigious art exposition, the 58th International Art Exhibition in Venice, Italy was indeed good news for the continued development of the arts in Seychelles. This is only the third participation of Seychelles in such an event. We wish Georges Camille and Daniel Dodin success. Cinea and its chief executive Galen Bresson commissioned the national participation on behalf of the Seychelles government and Martin Kennedy has been appointed as curator, with Ilaria Isola administering the exhibits.
This participation by Seychelles is commendable. At the Seychelles’ first participation at the Biennale des Arts in Venice in 2015, I remember saying:- “The Biennale des Arts in Venice is for creative artists what the Olympics is for the sports community”.
Seychelles making news for park entrance fees as boat operators cry foul
Representatives of the Praslin Islanders
who depend on tourism and excursions to live
Nigel Payet of NConsultant Services, is assisting the Praslin islanders who are upset by the announced increases in nature parks entrance fees saying that with the announced increases that yield from the tourism industry is only moving from the hands of the islanders and going, instead, into accounts of government and institutions. “Seychelles is changing the game for sustainable tourism, islanders’ livelihood & environment is used as a milking cow” they said from Praslin.
Yield from tourism will not increase if tourists have nothing to do and continued increases of natural site fees is just increasing the chances of tourists spending their holidays sitting on poolside loungers and beach loungers. These are free and will not be helping increase the yield from the tourism industry. The Praslin islanders believe that the Government should be working with the private sector to encourage small enterprises to flourish for the benefit of all those islanders employed in the boating industry and for growing the private sector trade.
On Praslin, the Consultant acting for this group say that some 300 boat owners have invested as support industries for Seychelles tourism.
It is important to again acknowledge all who are diligently re-posting the Saint Ange Tourism Report weekly. Our Report ranges far and wide, from Australia to the Americas, from the Indian Ocean Vanilla islands to Africa & Asian and Greater Europe, with your continued support, which is greatly appreciated. You are helping us to grow from strength to strength with each new Edition.
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