Seychelles Minister for Tourism and La Reunion President discuss tourism

“The spectacular lush green mountains of Reunion Island and the turquoise blue seas and the white sandy beaches of Seychelles complement each other,” said Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister re

“The spectacular lush green mountains of Reunion Island and the turquoise blue seas and the white sandy beaches of Seychelles complement each other,” said Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture. This phrase was coined a couple of years ago, but twinning the two islands have proved more difficult especially since Air Austral withdrew its weekly air service linking Seychelles and Reunion Island.

The marketing work by Pascal Viroleau and the Reunion Island Tourism Board (IRT – Ile Reunion Tourism) of Reunion Island, and by Elsia Grandcourt and the Seychelles Tourism Board, was taking root, and twin-center holiday options between Seychelles and Reunion Island were starting to finally enter tour operator programs.

On Sunday, Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles held a working session with the La Reunion President and his delegation and apart from analyzing the strong unique selling points of each island, air connectivity or lack of it was discussed. The Seychelles economy will suffer from loss of visitors from La Reunion as is particularly enjoyed by the owner-managed small homegrown hotels offering the Seychelles creole atmosphere and feeling. This target market is today on the decline, because they are not in favor of the transit stop in Mauritius which makes a flight anything from 4 to 6 hours when a direct flight can last just over 2 hours. The transit stop itself is today longer than the time it used to take for the direct flight between Reunion Island and Seychelles.

Reunion Island is also feeling the effects of twinning with Seychelles for their new target markets. The stopping of this service between Reunion Island and Seychelles is delaying the drive by Reunion Island to diversify its tourism industry.

This is why the Seychelles Minister St.Ange and President Didier Robert and their delegations spent time assessing options discussed during the Seychelles President’s visit to Reunion Island but a month ago.

The Ferretti Boats based in Seychelles treated the Reunion Island delegation accompanied by Minister St.Ange on a boat trip along the coast of Mahe Island to Anse Major and Beach Comber Sainte Anne Resort, then welcomed them for a tour of the resort and lunch.

PHOTO: Pascal Viroleau, President Didier Robert, Minister Alain St.Ange, and Patrick Maillot appreciate the natural environment of Seychelles from the sea on their way to lunch.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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