Saint Ange Tourism Report – 27th January 2020

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – February 1, 2020 (travelindex.com) – As we end January of 2020 the time is opportune to reflect on air access for Seychelles and the needed drive for visibility for tourism destinations.

On the airline front their are more questions than answers and the ball lies squarely in the Seychelles court to decide how it plays the needed delicate game with airline companies who do not depend on Seychelles for their livelihood, but who are strategic partners of the islands as far as air transportation goes. Edelweiss with its direct flights from Switzerland to Seychelles may be short lived tour operators are saying. The numbers have been rather encouraging, and the shortness of the flight a bonus – so what is wrong? CONDOR linking Seychelles with direct flights to Frankfurt is starting to question the need for its second flight. This is what transpires out of Germany. Seychelles worked hard to get this second flight from one of the island’s main tourism market. Is Seychelles going the extra mile to ensure that this needed flight is maintained? Both Edelweiss from Switzerland and CONDOR from Germany are providing what is described by the island’s private sector trade as needed air access and everyone is hoping that as the ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Germany is now on our doorstep every step will be taken to mitigate any decision being discussed that could jeopardise the Seychelles tourism industry. Germany, Switzerland and Austria remain today ‘a block’ that is seen as one of the main tourism source markets after France.

Then we can look at Air France with its direct non-stop flights to Paris. This is the only carrier linking Seychelles with a direct flight to its main tourism source market. It will be flying only in what is believed the peak holiday season. France is to a degree an all-year round source market and Seychelles has all to gain if Air France can be encouraged to stay the course. But this can only come a with partnership approach to push the airline as the prefered partnerr on that run. It is direct, it is non-stop, it links the islands with its main tourism source market – do we need more justification?

British Airways, with their needed direct link with Great Britain. This lifeline took years of discussions to pull off. The question on everyone’s mind is if we are doing enough for this strategic partner?

Europe and Great Britain is where the Seychelles private sector trade has invested heavily for many many years to develop the market and to keep it active. The two airlines are needed partners and every step that needs to be taken should be taken to ensure long term togetherness as working partners.

Kenya Airways, the faithful partner that stuck with Seychelles even when things got tough. They continue to work with Seychelles opening up Africa and the world to Seychelles alongside Ethiopian Airlines. Are we working by their side as partners?

Air Austral is that link with what is termed a secondary market. They are needed as is Air Mauritius for these two Vanlla Islands partners.

The Middle East carriers – Emirates, Etihad and Qatar are providing a one stop access to virtually any where in the world. They are needed and must be heard when they raise what is seen as challenges.

Air Seychelles with their flights to South Africa and India, both important tourism markets for the islands. Can more be done and should mere be done?

A meeting with air access providers is needed. Seychelles needs to hear the challenges they have. They are strategic partners and should not be left to fend by themselves. The meeting is needed today before the main Tourism Fair season gets underway.

Then the big question of COSTA Cruises. Has Seychelles analysed the void it will create when it drops the islands from March with no plans of returning for the 2020 and 2021 season. We have known this was being discussed and we personally wrote about it months ago in this publication. This is, and this will be seen as a major tourism set back. The port and DMCs, the taxi operators will be hit hard as will be the art and craft vendors and the free independent guides. Waiting for it to return by itself is not possible and it is working as a block in the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands that can bring some positive results. Cruise ships in Poart can be further developed as one fifty percent of the passengers are not getting out a destinations. We need to develop this temporary village attraction at the foot of the ship and pust for them to see Seychelles or recommend Seychelles to friends and family. This is the same work that is done at a tourism trade fair.

Visibility is the next interesting point worth discussing as we start this new year. Many tourism succesful indexes and surveys are being released and many of our island nations and countries on the main land of Africa are missing the the boat. The main reason is visibility and we seem unable to overcome this shortfall. Yet we have capable and dedicated press personalities in Africa over and above the African Tourism Board (ATB) sitting by our sides. Visibility is a needed ingredient for success by tourism destinations. Then the big challenge is for the continent to start rewriting its own narrative. We make news for all the possible negatives, but positive news does not make it to our tourism source markets because it is seen as not news worthy. Rewrite our narrative is today important and a sure part for success.

A new product using the name Seychelles on the International scene

A new product line and one item is named Seychelles. A candle and a new line of essence for homes and offices. This latest range of products has now hit the shops in Australia.

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.

Seychelles to host the 63rd Commission for Africa (CAF)

Seychelles has been confirmed as the country to host the 63rd Commission for Africa Meeting (CAF) in 2020.

The decision was reached after member states at the 62nd Commission meeting held on the sidelines of the just ended 23rd UNWTO General Assembly accepted the request of Seychelles to host the important gathering of African Tourism leaders.

The chairman of the Commission, Kenya’s Najib Balala, read out the draft resolution and after no objection from members, he went ahead to move the motion.

The Commission of Africa Meetings are held every year as part of UNWTO’s statutory events.

The UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa is the major institutional platform where ministries in charge of tourism discuss the latest trends of the sector at the continental and global level and the implementation of their program of work.
The country in conjunction with the UNWTO will announce the date soon.

The Minister of Tourism, Marine Ports and Aviation Hon. Didier Dogley, who was leading Seychelles delegation, said that “the island is looking forward to hosting the tourism community during the commission meeting.”

St.Ange takes center stage on SBC’s tête-à-tête programme with Patsy Canaya

Alain St.Ange recently took center stage on SBC’s tête-à-tête programme with Patsy Canaya. The Q & A session will air on the night of Monday 27th January right after the main news in Creole.

Pointed questions ranged from the infamous Padayachy saga, the ongoing defamation court case, the much anticipated upcoming elections which are dividing the population, and One Seychelles’ readiness for the race, as well as the challenges the Party believes the Nation is struggling to overcome, and the seemingly never ending UNWTO election court case.

Taking advantage of important platforms such as this bolsters the the One Seychelles Party’s aim and determination to promote transparency and public confidence in their Leadership. For those who have missed them, a series of short clips have been posted recently by some of the Party members discussing pertinent issues that the Country is now grappling with.

Seychelles International Airport from a historical post

Seychelles International Airport (IATA: SEZ, ICAO: FSIA), or Aéroport de la Pointe Larue in French, is the international airport of the Seychelles located on the island of Mahé near the capital city of Victoria. The airport is the home base and the head office of Air Seychelles[4] and features several regional and long-haul routes due to its importance as an international leisure destination.

The airport is 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) southeast of the capital and is accessible by the Victoria-Providence Highway. It forms part of the administrative districts of La Pointe Larue (terminal area), Cascade/Providence (in the North), and Anse aux Pins (in the south and military base).

The Seychelles non-directional beacon (Ident: SEY) is located 6.2 nautical miles (11.5 km) off the approach end of Runway 13. The Seychelles VOR-DME (Ident: SEY) is located on the field.

Kempinski Lady in Red celebrates its 10th anniversary

Providing a genuinely personalised and intuitive guest experience based on cultural empathy, guest intelligence and an understanding of each individual guest’s needs is the role of the iconic Lady in Red, a highly emblematic position created by Kempinski Hotels ten years back. As this unique brand ambassador welcomes guests in each hotel of the elegant luxury hotel brand around the globe, every hotel of Kempinski Hotels pays tribute to the Lady in Red this year.

In Seychelles, Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare will surprise guests with various birthday activities from 17 to 26 of January 2020. Festivities began Friday night, with an elegant cocktail reception beside the hotel’s private lagoon. The event was attended by hotel guests and representatives of the travel industry, who feasted on a plethora of canapés and appetisers inspired by Lady in Red’s keen interest in craftsmanship and gastronomy. During the event it was announced that the luxury hotel would make an SCR 10,000 contribution – on behalf of Lady in Red – to President’s Village Children’s Home in Port Glaud.

‘A Kempinski Lady in Red should be more than just an icon of the hospitality industry,’ said hotel general manager, Hany Abdelmoneim. ‘She is an ambassador of the hotel and the community in which she serves. When asked how they would like to celebrate their ten-year anniversary, our Ladies in Red said that they wanted to contribute to the empowerment of young women in Seychelles. We were very touched by their noble request and are delighted to support President’s Village in their care and support of young girls in our community.’

‘On behalf of the residents and staff of the Presidents Village, we would like to convey our sincere gratitude towards your establishment and its management,’ said Sylvie Ernesta of the National Council for Children. ‘It is always an encouragement for us when partner organisations recognise the work we are doing to empower and push our young girls in a positive direction.’

Conceived by Kempinski in 2009, the first Lady in Red appeared at a general manager’s meeting in Geneva. She wore a red haute-couture dress tailored especially for the occasion and appeared on stage to the tune of Chris de Burgh’s Lady in Red. Today there are more than 150 Ladies in Red gracefully representing Kempinski across their portfolio of luxury hotels.

On arrival in one of Kempinski’s 79 hotels, the Lady in Red is instantly recognizable: Dressed in a striking and elegant tailor-made red outfit that reflects the sartorial traditions in each destination, the Ladies in Red evoke an authentic sense of place and occasion showcasing the cultural nuance and classic European elegance for which Kempinski is known worldwide. Dedicated to please and educated to entertain, these brand ambassadors are alert to any opportunity to go one step beyond to craft unforgettable experiences for well-travelled guests, acting as both the perfect host and a trusted companion during their stay with Kempinski Hotels. As they play a pivotal role in every guest stay, they are teamplayers who are very well connected to their colleagues at the Front Office, in the Food & Beverage department and with the concierge working closely side by side with them.

“The Lady in Red is a local expert who knows everything there is to know about our hotels and the destination”, explains Benedikt Jaschke, Chief Quality Officer Kempinski Hotels and member of the Management Board. “Whether it’s a special anniversary celebration, a surprise proposal or a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday, they draw upon their passion for craftsmanship, gastronomy and local culture to ensure visitors are well-equipped to live unforgettable memories every time they visit.”

“Essentially, the Lady in Red was meant to replace the rather old fashioned guest relations position, which was not iconic at all”, adds Benedikt Jaschke. “We were looking for the extra sparkle of a unique personality with unique responsibilities who is easy to recognise.”

Coming from all walks of life, Kempinski’s Ladies in Red represent more than 30 countries. There are even some Gentlemen in Red, for example at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, which can be recognised by their red tie and red socks.

“Indeed, a Lady in Red is no mere wallflower”, says Edwina Alcindor, Lady in Red at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare. “We are approachable, attentive and curious, but discrete and cultivated at the same time, good-mannered, polite, but also discerning. We all share the Kempinski perspective on luxury that it must be rare, must be felt and must be original. In fact we are always ready to pick up on small hints that might reveal how we can add a dash of magic to a guest’s stay.”