Seychelles Tourism Board and Edelweiss Air: A winning combination

SEYCEdelweiss
SEYCEdelweiss
Avatar of Alain St.Ange
Written by Alain St.Ange

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) office in Frankfurt has teamed up with Edelweiss Air to boost awareness of the destination among Swiss travel agents. This is in anticipation of upcoming direct flights by Switzerlandโ€™s leisure airline, linking Zurich to Seychelles, as of September 2018. A two-city workshop was organised by STB and Edelweiss Air, in Zurich and Lucerne. The workshop started in Zurich where the 60 travel agents set out on a boat trip on Lake Zurich on-board the M.S. Uetliberg.

In Lucerne, some 35 travel agents visited the Heini Garten, a popular event venue set in a greenhouse with luscious vegetation, including palm trees and other exotic plants. The Director of the Seychelles Tourism Board for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Edith Hunzinger, delivered a destination presentation. The travel agents also had the opportunity to meet seven trade partners, representing various accommodation establishments in Seychelles, namely Acajou Beach Resort, Coco de Mer Hotel and Black Parrot Suites, Constance Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, and Raffles Praslin Seychelles. This allowed them to gather information about these accommodation and the products they have to offer.

Mrs Hunzinger also made a brief presentation about Edelweiss Air, giving details of its upcoming non-stop service to Seychelles. In both cities the agents embarked on a discovery of the Creole cuisine where they got to savour some delicious coconut curry, tuna balls and mango salad, all of which were prepared by Mrs Hunzinger.ย  The STB Director said she was quite satisfied with the level of participation for the two-city workshop. She also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Alpine countries in general, which have constantly witnessed an increase in the number of visitors that come to Seychelles each year. โ€œWe have full confidence in the Swiss market, and the excellent turnout at our two workshops has proven the unwavering interest in and support for our destination by the Swiss travel industry. The Swiss love the Seychelles, and Switzerland will continue to be a reliable source country to us for many years to come,โ€ said Mrs Hunzinger.

Although Switzerland is experiencing a slight drop in visitor numbers coming to Seychelles so far in 2018 compared to 2017, it is expected that the introduction of a direct flight will help boost the Seychelles profile as a holiday destination among Swiss travellers.

About the author

Avatar of Alain St.Ange

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 โ€œSpeakers Circuitโ€ 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 โ€˜off the cuffโ€™ 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 islandโ€™s Carnaval International de Victoria when he reiterated the words of John Lennon famous songโ€ฆ โ€ 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 oneโ€. 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 โ€œTourism & Business Conference in Canadaโ€

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.

Member of Travelmarketingnetwork.

Share to...