Mikhail Gusman of ITAR-TASS receive Friends of Seychelles – Press certificate

The Seychelles innovative press program called “Friends of Seychelles – Press” continues to grow. This week Mr. Mikhail Gusman, the Deputy Director-General of the Russian News Agency, ITAR-TASS, was presented his membership certificate at a small ceremony at the Russian Ambassador’s Residence at Sans Soucis in the Seychelles.

Alain St.Ange, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board and eTurboNews ambassador, who addressed Mr. Mikhail Gusman in front of a small gathering, which included the Designated Minister, Mr. Vincent Meriton; and Ministers Bernard Shamlaye and Peter Sinon; the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Mr. Mikhail Kalinin; Madame Kalinin; and Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, the Deputy CEO of the Tourism Board.

Mr. St.Ange explained the concept behind the exclusive press club and said that those invited to be part had to know the Seychelles and had to understand the Seychelles. The Seychelles Tourism CEO said that people were at the center of the “Seychelles brand” of tourism launched by President James Michel, and that the “Friends of Seychelles – Press” program was one of these programs instigated by Seychelles to credit those who had worked to have Seychelles known and remain visible in our marketplaces around the world.

Press members already accredited to that program now come from Hawaii in the USA, London in the UK, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Paris in France, and now Moscow in Russia. The Seychelles Tourism Board is expecting to officailly invite more members from different parts of the world in the weeks to come.

Mr. Mikhail Gusman said that he was honored by the nomination and he assured Seychelles that he would take his membership seriously and in so doing ensure that the Seychelles are well known in Russia. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation accredited to Seychelles, Mr. Mikhail Kalinin, congratulated Mr. Gusman on his accreditation and said he was sure that Mr. Gusman would be a great member of that exclusive program.

The first general meeting for the members of the “Friends of Seychelles – Press” is set to take place during the first days of March 2011 just ahead of the launch of the 2011 Seychelles “Carnaval International de Victoria.” A monthly newsletter for members of this program will see its first issue released this month.