New airport lounge opens in Seychelles

December 17, 2018
by Alain St.Ange
2 min read
Minister-Didier-Dogley-Gary-Albert-CEO-SCAA
Minister-Didier-Dogley-Gary-Albert-CEO-SCAA
Written by Alain St.Ange

One million passengers pass through the Seychelles airport each year.

AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort and Spa has opened a new lounge at Seychelles International Airport. The CIP (Commercial Important Person) Payanke Lounge, named after the White-tailed Tropicbird, officially opened on December 6.

According to David Savy, Chairman of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, on average one million passengers pass through the airport each year on both domestic and international flights.

“The demand for this facility is beginning to be felt and the AVANI lounge is among the largest in the airport, giving passengers even more choice in terms of lounges,” said Savy, reports Seychelles News Agency.

The CIP Payanke Lounge is one of four at Seychelles International Airport and can accommodate 250 passengers standing and 120 sitting.

Located above the current domestic terminal, the CIP Payanke Lounge is open to all travelers, and operated daily from 0600 until 2330 hours.

lounge 2 | eTurboNews | eTN

The first phase of the lounge offers a play area for children, showers and a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served from 0600 until 1000 hours. For lunch and dinner, travelers can choose from an array of salads, as well as cold and hot dishes, with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available. Children under the age of five eat free of charge.

The second phase will include a spa, which is set to be operational in 2019.

Seychelles Tourism Minister, Didier Dogley, is pleased with the new lounge’s name, saying: “It’s a name that ties us to our history and even the carpet is shaped like a coco de mer (two-lobed edible nut). I’m sure this new facility will improve the airport in general.”

GM of AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort and Spa, Stephane Vilar, noted that the lounge’s décor was specifically chosen to incorporate various components of the Seychelles.

Vilar said: “We contacted local artists through the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry for products that are on sale in the lounge.” Savy said the renovations, once complete, would completely change the airport, and that the domestic and international terminals would be merged into one.

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:

  • “The demand for this facility is beginning to be felt and the AVANI lounge is among the largest in the airport, giving passengers even more choice in terms of lounges,” said Savy, reports Seychelles News Agency.
  • The first phase of the lounge offers a play area for children, showers and a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • For lunch and dinner, travelers can choose from an array of salads, as well as cold and hot dishes, with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available.
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Alain St.Ange

Alain St Ange has been working in the tourism business since 2009. He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel.

He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel. After one year of

After one year of service, he was promoted to the position of CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

In 2012 the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands regional Organization was formed and St Ange was appointed as the first president of the organization.

In a 2012 cabinet re-shuffle, St Ange was appointed as Minister of Tourism and Culture which he resigned on 28 December 2016 in order to pursue a candidacy as Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation.

At the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu in China, a person who was being sought after for the “Speakers Circuit” for tourism and sustainable development was Alain St.Ange.

St.Ange is the former Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine who left office in December last year to run for the position of Secretary General of the UNWTO. When his candidature or document of endorsement was withdrawn by his country just a day before the elections in Madrid, Alain St.Ange showed his greatness as a speaker when he addressed the UNWTO gathering with grace, passion, and style.

His moving speech was recorded as the one on the best marking speeches at this UN international body.

African countries often remember his Uganda address for the East Africa Tourism Platform when he was a guest of honor.

As former Tourism Minister, St.Ange was a regular and popular speaker and was often seen addressing forums and conferences on behalf of his country. His ability to speak ‘off the cuff’ was always seen as a rare ability. He often said he speaks from the heart.

In Seychelles he is remembered for a marking address at the official opening of the island’s Carnaval International de Victoria when he reiterated the words of John Lennon famous song… ” you may say I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one. One day you will all join us and the world will be better as one”. The world press contingent gathered in Seychelles on the day ran with the words by St.Ange which made headlines everywhere.

St.Ange delivered the keynote address for the “Tourism & Business Conference in Canada”

Seychelles is a good example for sustainable tourism. This is therefore not surprising to see Alain St.Ange being sought after as a speaker on the international circuit.

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