The Editorial this week highlights:- a. Tourism Festival in Seychelles move to Praslin & La Digue. b. Oktoberfest in Seychelles. c. Car Hire Operators Association and Taxi Association meet to work as one . d. Operation Cost for Tourism Industry – what is good for tourism is good for Seychellois. e. Seychellois names recognised across the world of tourism – Kathy Mason, Joe Albert, Guy Savy and more. f. Edelweiss inaugural flight on Sunday the 23 September 2018. g. Nualan Charles shared an amazing photo today of the milkyway shot from Bird Island. Stand alone articles this week:- 1.Seychelles Tourism Festival Edition 1 – 2018. 2. Sunset Cruise in Seychelles. 3. Club Liberté Casino and the traditional Oktoberfest of Germany. 4. Abu Dhabi to showcase cruise tourism credentials in Lisbon – the Indian Ocean Region must work with them. 5. New mobile phone app lets visitors to Seychelles book accommodation, learn about attractions. 6. Reunion Island rolls out special promotion in French market. 7. Anil Gayan : “We do not want to be a cheap destination” Remco Althuis – Air Seychelles : “The archipelago already has four tourists per capita and is close to what it wants to accommodate”. 8. Big waves for Mauritius & Reunion – 24 to 26 September. 9. Scientists make breakthrough in war against crown of thorns starfish. 10. Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) met with journalists and news editors in Nairobi. 11. Seychelles’ Assumption island named a clearance port after Cabinet vote. 12. Aviation: Air Austral conquers southern Madagascar . 13. Edelweiss starts a direct and non-stop service with Switzerland. 14. Seychelles delegation to attend IFTM TOP RESA Trade Fair in Paris France. 15. Are people surviving in major tourism destinations happy? 16. International Newswires continue to republish our Report.
Alain St.Ange
Tourism Festival in Seychelles move to Praslin & La Digue
The first edition of the Seychelles Tourism Festival has for the last couple of days seen Tourism Operators of Praslin and La Digue rally to show Seychellois Creole Hospitality and the local Creole Cuisine to visitors as the Praslinois and Diguois moved in to join in the fun. The La Digue feast went on for two days. The spirit of inclusivity to have the islands participate was appreciated by the Chairperson of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association. Such activities, if well publicised, helps to keep the two main islands so dependent on the tourism industry to remain relevant. The Tourism Festival will now close with the annual Tourism Ball on Mahe.
Oktoberfest in Seychelles
Oktoberfest at Club Liberte Casino of Seychelles
Seychelles is known to be a beer drinking country and its visitors are always on the look out for an evening with a difference. Activities and events help increase the yield from tourism and to see initiative that can help such a goal is appreciated. The Club Liberte Casino and Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel have brought a taste of Germany to Seychelles in this period of Beer Festival. Bearing in mind that Germany remains today the most important tourism source market for Seychelles, such activities by two properties need to be congratulated and supported.
Car Hire Operators Association and Taxi Association meet to work as one
Working in synergy is a positive move to face the challenges of the car hire businesses and the local taxis and this was the decision behind the joint executive meeting of the two transport oriented associations. In a joint communique published on local newspapers they said:- “The aim of the meeting was to tackle common issues that both associations face and to bring them to the attention of the Government”. Members of the Executive Committee of the two Associations want a quota system on number of licences being issued, saying that having over 200 car hire operators and 500 taxis is already over the required limit, given the size of the population, country and businesses among other important points. They have also requested to jointly have a meeting with the Government.
Operation Cost for Tourism Industry – what is good for tourism is good for Seychellois
The tourism industry is aware that they do not compete amongst themselves but that the country has the obligation to remain an interesting option for would-be travellers. This is why operating costs are so relevant as a topic for the tourism industry as a whole. The rates charged by industry players reflects directly on holiday packages to Seychelles and these advertised prices help holiday makers choose a destination over an other. Minister Didier Dogley, the new Seychelles Minister of Tourism is attending Top Resa in Paris and this is his first tourism trade fair. The Minister will see the how destinations compete for the same business and how it is important for same category establishments to be able to stand their own in tourism programs. Though accepted that Seychelles will always be a bit more expensive because of its exclusivity, it cannot be priced out of the market. Seychelles today has Minister Maurice Loustau-Lalanne as the Minister heading the Ministry of Finance. He has been at the head of Tourism as Minister and Head of its Tourism Board and remains therefore well placed to understand the predicaments of the tourism industry as he prepares the 2019 Budget of the islands.
For Seychelles, it needs to be appreciated that what is good for the tourism industry is also good for the people as a whole.
Seychellois names recognised across the world of tourism – Kathy Mason, Joe Albert, Guy Savy and more
Recognising tourism operators and the importance they play in the islands’ economy is too often down played in Seychelles. Today in the world of tourism, names of many Seychellois come up as leaders in tourism. This is achieved not because someone decides to just recognize them, but because they have earned it. Reports, press and reviews are speaking about Kathy Mason, Guy Savy and Joe Albert as leaders in the World of Tourism who are recognised beyond the shores of their islands. Many more Seychellois are today also being seen as Tourism Leaders as well, but is Seychelles aware of its human resource and these assets of the country? Are we encouraging them to work and to help consolidate their industry that remains the pillar of the island’s economy? Kathy Mason is the founder of Mason’s Travel and also heads Denis Private Island, Carana Beach Resort and Indian Ocean Lodge. Guy Savy has the unique Bird Island with its ‘million of birds’ that nest annually in the Sooty Tern Season, and Joe Albert founded Creole Travel Services and has Le Domaine de La Reserve, Cap Lazare and is a major share older in Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort. Three recognised and successful Seychellois who are able to influence positively the Seychelles Tourism Industry. They started from scratch and through hard work and tenacity, their names are resonating beyond the shores of their islands.
Edelweiss has landed in Seychelles
Edelweiss inaugural flight on Sunday the 23 September 2018
Edelweiss airline has landed its inaugural flight to Seychelles. Another direct non-stop flight from Europe is indeed good news for the islands. The call by the Minister responsible for Finance as he welcomed the airline was for Seychelles to now work with the airline to ensure a win-win for the airline and for Seychelles.
Nualan Charles shared an amazing photo today of the milkyway shot from Bird Island
As we end today’s editorial we publish an amazing Face Book published photo of the Milkyway taken from Bird Island in Seychelles. Taken by a Nikon D7000 / Tamron 11-16 f/2.8 on 31/08/2018 – 21:24
It is important to again today 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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