Seychelles Tourism Academy students receive training in the field

Elsia Grandcourt, Deputy CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, joined Flavien Joubert, the Principal of the Tourism Academy, to sign an MOU with Mr.

Elsia Grandcourt, Deputy CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, joined Flavien Joubert, the Principal of the Tourism Academy, to sign an MOU with Mr. Puri himself, which will see Nira Hotels & Resorts assist the Seychelles Tourism Academy in the field on training.

Mrs. Grandcourt said, as she launched the formalities in the presence of Alain St.Ange, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, and several other government officials, that Seychelles was honored to be receiving such a commitment for ongoing training from Nira Hotels & Resorts. She went on to say: โ€œOn behalf of the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Seychelles Tourism Academy it gives me great pleasure to welcome Mr. Puri of the Nira Hotels & Resorts to Seychelles for the signing of this important memorandum of understanding whereby the Seychelles Tourism Academy will send a number of students and lecturers to Shanti Maurice for four-month attachments in wellness and spa sponsored by Shanti Maurice.

“This is a valuable assistance that Shanti Maurice is providing to the academy, allowing Seychellois students and lecturers to benefit from the expertise of the Shanti Maurice Spa center and to receive an important boost to their careers by being afforded the opportunity to further their studies in this way.
I would like to take the opportunity of expressing our sincere thanks to Mr.P uri for his support and assistance and trust that this will further open the door of cooperation between us in a win-win partnership that we can all be proud of.

“Mr. Puri, I wish you bon continuation in your future undertakings here, and we look forward to working closely with the Nira Hotels & Resorts and to further cement the bonds of friendship between us.

“On a final note, I am pleased to announce that as of January 18, 2012, 2 of our lecturers will be traveling to Mauritius to pursue 2 weeks of work attachment at the Shanti Maurice Spa center as a bonus.”

Mr. Puri, on his part, said that his company remained committed to working with Seychelles in the field of training, in the field of tourism and hospitality. He also went further to express his appreciation for the welcome he had since he had arrived in Seychelles.

For almost 40 years, Mr. Puri has been associated with some of the finest hotels in the world, including the Peninsula Hotels (Hong Kong), Raffles Hotel, The Fullerton Hotel (Singapore), Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Halekulani (Hawaii), Hyatt Hotels, and Fairmont Hotels.

His management positions include time in charge of the Raffles International portfolio, supervising development and performance in the Asia-Pacific region and roles leading operations for prestigious hotel openings, including duties as the Chief Operating Officer of the Fullerton in Singapore. Mr. Puri has also acted as Head of the Americas for GHM Hotels, where he was responsible for opening and operating The Setai, South Beach, serving as General Manager. Recently, Mr. Puri has acted as Food & Beverage consultant to Orient Express Hotels & Resorts, advising on global F&B operations.

Mr. Puri has initiated new and exciting concepts, including the Raffles Culinary Academy, the annual Raffles Hotel Wine & Food Experience, and Doc Chengโ€™s Restaurant for Restorative Foods, which was hailed as one of the “10 Great Restaurants of the World” in 1997. He has been honored for his achievements with awards such as Wine & Dineโ€™s first ever “Man of the Year,” a Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Gourmet Summit in 2002, and the 2004 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as a Hotel Operator.

He is actively involved with numerous industry organizations including the American Wine & Food Society, The International Food and Beverage Forum, and the Global Hoteliers Club. Other professional affiliations include Commanderie Du Bontemps De Medoc Et Des Graves, Confrerie De La Chaine Des Rotisseurs, Confrerie De La Chaine Des Rotisseurs, Confrerie De Chevalier Du Tastevin, and Commanderie De Bordeaux.

All this experience has been crucial in helping Mr. Puri develop his vision for Nira Hotels & Resorts. Working closely with his business partners and hard-working staff, he has created a distinct personality for Nira.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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