Praslin Island, the second largest island of the Seychelles, possesses twenty-seven demarcation points of heritage routes. Three of these are found on the property of Raffles Praslin Seychelles. It is not surprising to see Raffles Praslin Seychelles coming on board as a partner and supporter of the Seychelles Heritage Foundation’s efforts to conserve and to protect these heritage sites. Raffles Praslin Seychelles recently made another bold step by taking under its wings the Seychelles Heritage Award for Praslin and the La Digue heritage clubs. Two years ago, the Seychelles Heritage Foundation launched the first edition of the award. The Seychelles Heritage Foundation award is designed especially for heritage clubs on Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. Raffles Praslin Seychelles strongly believes that its corporate responsibility can only benefit its community by sponsoring the award for Praslin and La Digue. On Mahe, the award is sponsored by Elite Travel Destination Management Company.

On Thursday, April 17, Raffles Praslin Seychelles and the Seychelles Heritage Foundation organized a ceremony to reward recipients of the Seychelles Heritage Foundation a second edition heritage award for 2012-2013 for Praslin and La Digue Islands.

In the photography category, Elsa Labonte from the La Digue Heritage Club walked away with first prize, and Sharifa Labonte of the Praslin Heritage Club won first prize in the drawing category. The prize-giving ceremony took place in the presence of Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture; Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary for Tourism; Patrick Nanty, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Heritage Foundation; and the General Manager of Raffles Praslin Seychelles, Christoph Ganster.

When he addressed the prize-giving ceremony, Patrick Nanty, the Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Heritage Foundation, highlighted the importance of heritage preservation and congratulated Raffles Praslin Seychelles to embark on this project.

“There is so much history and so many cultural heritage sites in Seychelles which make the work we are doing to protect these sites more meaningful. Without your corporate responsibility, this project would not have been a success. We congratulate you, Raffles Resort, for taking this project on board, and we are grateful for your support,” Patrick Nanty said. Mr. Nanty urged award recipients to become defenders of the Seychelles heritage sites.

“It is often expected that you will be the one to look after our country’s heritage sites. Today you are doing research to enrich these sites on our islands. As future custodians of our country, you should become defenders of our heritage sites,” Mr. Nanty said.

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, hailed the “Raffles Praslin Seychelles” decision to support the Heritage award scheme.

“You are doing what everybody must do – that is putting your money where your mouth is. It is so rewarding for us to see you’ve not only supported the Seychelles Heritage Foundation award, but also the Praslin Heritage route booklet that was launched a couple of years ago by the Heritage Foundation. We remain committed to working with partners who support us, and we remain determined to show how much you are dear to us,” Alain St.Ange, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, said.

Minister St.Ange added there is no culture without tourism.

“Our people and culture has our DNA. If we showcase something that has our DNA; we are sure we are promoting what is unique to us. This will help us to remain on a solid footing, and this will help us to consolidate our tourism industry,” said Minister St.Ange.

Christoph Ganster, the General Manager of Raffles Resort Praslin, said his property will remain a faithful partner of the Seychelles Heritage projects.

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .