Seychelles re-launches tourism newsletter

After some months since the last issue of Seychelles’ Tourism Industry Speaks Newsletter, the country is happy to say that following the reorganization within the industry’s association, Seychelles tourism is again able to re-launch its very own monthly newsletter.

The Seychelles tourism industry’s goal is for support to come in for the newsletter with adverts, and also for industry members to make use of this publication to spell out to the world at large about the happenings at their own establishments of enterprise. Visibility is as important for each and every one of these establishments, as it is for the country. This publication will be used to bring out what Seychelles does and in so doing, will help to grow its respective businesses through added visibility.

Seychelles more than ever before needs the tourism industry that remains the pillar of the country’s economy – a fact Seychellois are well aware of. This is why everyone works to reinforce the working relationship with the government where today one of the industry’s very own occupies the position of Minister for Tourism and Culture – Mr. Alain St.Ange.

The Seychelles Minister for Finance spearheaded the drive into Turkey to raise investment, and also to open new doors for the tourism industry. The announcement that Turkish Airlines wants to begin direct nonstop flights from Europe is music to the industry’s ear. Seychelles needs this bilateral agreement signed with Turkey yesterday, and not tomorrow, so that announcement for this direct flight can be made. In this time of economic difficulty in the country’s main traditional markets, the announcement of nonstop direct flights from Europe will be the boost Seychelles needs. It is hoped that Captain David Savy, the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, and himself a member on the Board of Directors of the Tourism Board, will take this matter into his own hands and bring Turkish Airlines to Seychelles’ shores.

Air access will continue to be the service that makes or break Seychelles’ industry. Holiday makers want the most direct flights when they want it and with the best possible fare. This is why Seychelles will continue to appeal that the service to Hong Kong by Air Seychelles should be direct and not via Abu Dhabi.

The news that Etihad and Air France are entering into a codeshare of some sort can indeed be good news for Seychelles. This can bring passengers from all over Europe to Paris and yes, they could then board a direct nonstop Air Seychelles/Etihad flight to Seychelles. There is no better opportunity than this, but for it to happen, the Seychellois members on the Board of Air Seychelles must and should think Seychelles as a country first. Seychelles’ own colors flying back to Paris with the support and blessing of Air France would do miracles for the country’s tourism industry.

Visitor arrival figures are defying all odds with this week showing a 7% increase over the same period as 2011. But imagine if France was only able to be what it was last year as well instead of -19%. This would have given Seychelles the arrival figures needed today because of all the new additions to the bed stock.

Budget time is fast approaching and the appeal is again what it was last year. Support the industry that remains the pillar of the economy. Do not starve marketing efforts as that would be detrimental to the tourism industry, and restate again that Seychellois are not competing among each other locally, rather Seychelles is competing with the region at large. Therefore, let it be said for the authorities to appreciate that the tourism industry should not be inflicted with costs that would make it uncompetitive in the market place.

Security remains a concern and one that needs the attention of the Seychelles government. It is just not working today, and Seychelles is on the verge of losing its safety label. This needs to be sorted out. Petty theft or breaking and entering are all nuisances nobody needs in this period in time. It cannot be hard to know who the culprits are because of the size of the country’s population – the intelligence network must step up.

All this being as it is, Seychelles is still an enjoyable holiday destination – a place that the country can legitimately say is favored even by royalty.