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The Editorial this week highlights:- a. Access to financing or commercial loans for Seychellois. b. Annual Birds Egg Season has arrived. c. Joining the AFRICAN RESILIENCE SUMMIT in Johannesburg. d. Dr. Taleb Rifai appointed Chairman of PATWA. e. Seychellois hospitality is recognised. f. Chelsea Football star Pedro visits the island of La Digue. g. Mauritius receives Miss England. h. Reunion Island on their part welcomed French Minister François de Rugy . I. Islanders – the call is being made everywhere… j. Two back-to-back interviews. Stand alone articles this week:- 1. A new excursion boat ‘Le Cerf”. 2. Robinson Crusoe adventure cruise from Praslin Island. 3. Seychelles to celebrate 250th anniversary of the first settlement in 2020. 4. Sunset Hotel Seychelles – a highly recommended Couples Hotel. 5. Seychelles efforts for a sustainable destination in the forefront. 6. AFRAA meets IATA. 7. Air Mauritius proposes promotional fares – Seychelles set to benefit. 8. Air Seychelles counters Air Mauritius market entry with improved baggage allowance 9. Kenya Airways CEO Resigns — What Happened?. 10. British Celebrity Chefs to host “Dinner on the Bridge” – Silhouette Island 14th June 2019. 11. Yellow bi-plane of “Out of Africa” is back in Kenya. 12. SEYCHELLES TORISM BOARD ATTENDING THE ILTM ASIA -PACIFIC FAIR. 13. Seychelles Tourism Board Team visited Trade Partners in Scandinavia. 14. Closing Notes.

Alain St.Ange

Welcome to this 22nd edition of Vol 3 of the Saint Ange Tourism Report of 2019.
Last week’s editorial on opening opportunities for Islander Seychellois by ensuring they get access to financing or commercial loans brought the largest number of feedback ever since the three years the Saint Ange Tourism Report has been published. The subject obviously touched so many who cannot understand the inability for Seychelles to look at the Seychellois, and of the need to open doors for them. Some of the comments went as far as saying why had Seychelles forgotten the Islanders and left them behind. On a positive side someone from Praslin communicated that at least a bank is now taking the trouble to visit applicants, even for small loans, in order to better understand the need for the loan and to better appreciate the project.

Annual Birds Egg Season has arrived

The delicacy enjoyed by Seychellois once a year has started to arrive in Mahe. It is expected that the Guy Savy and his Family, the owners of Bird Island will once again ensure that the much awaited treat is appreciated once again by as many Seychellois as possible. Bird Island continues to be managed on a tight ‘environmentally friendly’ approach and at the same time the owners of the island remain conscious about Seychellois enjoying their tradition as they also ensure the continued annual landings by these magnificent birds.

Joining the AFRICAN RESILIENCE SUMMIT in Johannesburg

The coming African Resilience Summit that will be held this coming July in Johannesburg will see Naledi Khabo, CEO, ATA (Africa Tourism Association) , Daniela Wagner, Group Business Development Director of Jacobs Media Group rally a number of Tourism Ministers and Industry Leaders in Constitution Hill for a needed summit for preparedness in a bid to ensure the continent’s tourism industry is consolidated.

H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner, African Union-Infrastructure, Energy & Tourism, H.E. Najib Balala, Minister of Tourism, Kenya, H.E. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman, GTTRC, Gillian Saunders, Exec. Advisor, Ministry of Tourism of South Africa, Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Will Jordan, Investigative Journalist at Al Jazeera, Sandila Chipunz, the Manager, Advocacy & Strategic Relations, Africa at IATA, Dr Mario Hardy CEO at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) are listed among many other influential speakers making their way to South Africa.

I will be present as the Head of the Saint Ange Tourism Consultancy and the former Tourism Minister of Seychelles who sits today as the President of the African Tourism Board.

It is expected that H.E. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia and the Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation will deliver the Keynote Address and speak about the regional African frameworks established. The SADC initiatives and how tourism fits into government planning. What challenges are faced and what opportunities have been identified

Dr. Taleb Rifai appointed Chairman of  PATWA

with Dr Taleb Rifai in Seychelles in 2018

PATWA, the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association has confirmed that Dr. Taleb Rifai, former Secretary General of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) has been appointed as Chairman of its Advisory Council. The importance of this announcement for the world of tourism is to see expertise and experienced leadership being called upon for the continued development of the industry that has become so vital for the economic wellbeing of the world at large. Dr Taleb Rifai is well remembered for his years of successful service as the head of the UNWTO. He remains a sought-after speaker and panellist at tourism conferences. Congratulations to PATWA for this appointment.

Seychellois hospitality is recognised

Alice Tirant, General Manager at Crown Beach Hotel Seychelles and also Villa Dorado Guesthouse saw her hard work recognised by Trip Advisor. She was right to share the good news received for Crown Beach Hotel .

Alice Tirant wrote:- “Trust my mail finds you well . We spoke with regards to below and as discussed please find attached , our humble `wall of fame ` certificate of excellence . With 9 /10 on booking.com rating – we are pleased to showcase same. We strive hard in this difficult and actual economic environment to keep the pace going , and thanks to my team and our hard work and dedication .We thank you for publishing our achievement in your Saint Ange tourism report” .
The confirmation by Trip Advisor to Crown Beach Hotel came as follows:- “Welcome to the Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame. Because you’ve earned a Certificate of Excellence every year for the past five years, we’re pleased to announce that Crown Beach Hotel has qualified for the Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame. Like past years, be sure to claim your free 2019 Certificate of Excellence and sticker – and as a Hall of Fame recipient, you’ll automatically receive a special-edition certificate and sticker with your order”

Chelsea Football star Pedro visits the island of La Digue

Fish Trap Restaurant of La Digue

Fish Trap Restaurant proudly welcomed Chelsea Football star Pedro last week. Beryl Rose (a Chelsea supporter) and a proud staff of the Fish Trap Restaurant said she was honoured to have met her legend Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma. The island of La Digue continues to attract stars coming from the four corners of the world.

Mauritius receives Miss England

Minister Anil Gayan welcomes Alisha Cowie, Miss England to Mauritius

The Mauritius Tourism Minister Anil Gayan has last week welcomed Miss England 2018/19 Alisha Cowie to Mauritius. Mauritius has developed a working partnership with the Miss England Organisation for many years and Minister Gayan posted as he welcomed the English Beauty Queen:- “I wish her all the very best ahead !”.
The Mauritius Tourism Minister Anil Gayan has last week welcomed Miss England 2018/19 Alisha Cowie to Mauritius. Mauritius has developed a working partnership with the Miss England Organisation for many years and Minister Gayan posted as he welcomed the English Beauty Queen:- “I wish her all the very best ahead !”.