Reunion island trade decision-makers join local partners in a meet and exchange program

A group of 35 trade decision-makers from Reunion island met local partners at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel during a “meet and exchange” program hosted by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB).

The aim of the workshop was to give our local groups the chance to develop and widen their proposals offered to the Reunion clients and vice-versa. The workshop targeted small tourism properties on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

Addressing those present at the workshop, STB’s chief executive Sherin Francis said this was a great chance to boost travel between the Seychelles and the Reunion island by further developing the relationship and encourage discussions between partners of the two Vanilla islands.

“As the saying goes: seeing is believing and I am convinced that by the time you return home you will have enriched your knowledge of our islands considerably,” Mrs. Francis said.

“Today, those of you who have travelled here are in a great position not only to visit the destination that you are selling but also to interact with tourism players on the ground here and to acquire a feel for Seychelles which will serve you well as you continue to sell vacations in the future.”

The event set pace for a better understanding of facilities being offered from Seychelles and Reunion; hence liaising both markets to the most profitable of services in regard to their usual demands when travelling to Seychelles and Reunion island.

STB’s director for Europe Mrs. Bernadette Willemin presented statistics and gave an overview on the importance of the Reunion market to Seychelles. Reunion is the main contributor of tourism arrivals from Africa to the Seychelles and Ms Willemin mentioned that “From January to February 2017 we recorded a total of 1,178 arrivals from Reunion compared to only 933 during the same period in 2016, representing an increase of 26%,” she said.

Mrs. Willemin added that “Seychelles welcomed 5980 visitors in total from Reunion in 2016, hence this year already setting pace to greater success from this region.”

Also present at the event was STB’s senior marketing executive based in Reunion, Bernadette Honore and Daphnee Zahary, marketing executive at STB responsible for the market.

Several local travel agencies such as Creole Holidays and Mason’s Travel were also present along with tour operators and travel agents from Reunion island namely Thomas Cook, Bourbon Voyages, Tropic Voyages, Mutra Voyages, Welcome Vacances, Yes We Can, as well as a representative of Air Austral.