|
|
||||
This is new not only for Seychelles, but it is also the first time that such appointments are made alongside overseas offices of Tourism Boards. It is an initiative that shows that Seychelles is leaving no stones unturned in its move to defend and protect its pillar of its economy, the tourism industry. In presenting the move to appoint the first Tourism Ambassadors at the Official Opening of the 2010 Tourism marketing Meeting in the presence of President James Michel, and Vice President Joseph Belmont in a packed Conference Centre in Victoria, Alain St. Ange, the Director of Tourism Marketing said that the Seychelles overseas offices will now have added support to more adequately service our tourism markets. “...today we are bringing in another new approach, that is, the appointing of Tourism Ambassadors right across the world. These will be Seychellois living and working in the four corners of the world who have their country at heart. They will be like consuls, but here only to promote and continuously help develop Seychelles as the tourist destination. The saying ‘Once a Seychellois, always a Seychellois’ cannot be more true, and these men and women will do our country proud as they become ‘foot soldiers’ for the pillar of our economy, our tourism industry. I firmly believe that all Seychellois living abroad are natural ambassadors of their country of birth, the country that they love. It is for this reason that I would today like to initiate the idea of formally appointing Seychellois Tourism Ambassadors: a cadre of hand-picked individuals, well-known in their countries of residence and whose network of contacts and local knowledge will be invaluable tools in promoting Seychelles as a tourism destination across the globe. Working in close collaboration with our Overseas Offices, and our marketing teams, they will provide a sharp tip to our promotional efforts, with the ability to access individuals and organizations on their home turf in a way that would not be possible through traditional marketing methods. With their contacts and easy access with their local travel agents, tour operators and press, their local knowledge of their new home, and with their personal touch, they will primarily be responsible for developing a personal relationship with these travel agents, tour operators and press fraternity in their respective cities. They live there, they work there and they are part of that community, their opinion will be trusted and their feelings respected. I anticipate that, in time and with the appropriate levels of support, their efforts, both individual and collective, will impact considerably on our arrival figures”, Alain St. Ange said. Mr. St. Ange, when naming the first selected Tourism Ambassadors, said that the Tourism Board will continue identifying new recruits as the Tourism Board moved along, and that they had so far not yet touched the Americas, Canada, Asia and Australia. The first Tourism Ambassadors are: From Cape Town in South Africa, Mrs Mary Masac, nee Faure From Nairobi in Kenya, Mrs Popsy Getonge, nee Mothee From Kampala in Uganda, Mrs Pearl Hoareau From La Reunion, Dr Tony Wong From Saumur in France, Mrs Mary-Lyn Camus nee Faure From Munich in Germany, Mrs Lindy Scheele nee Samy From Salzburg in Austria, Mrs Archangel Kopar nee Leon From Geneva in Switzerland, Mrs Dona Wallin nee Appoo From Montreux in Switzerland, Mrs Audrey Bonvin nee Beaudoin From Eastbourn and Brighton in the UK, Mrs Rita Hinder nee Mondon From Wales in the UK, Mr Robert Delpeche From Moscow in Russia, Mrs Christina Autefault nee Adrienne From Sweden, Mrs Beryl Laporte From Czechoslovakia, Mrs Barbara Ponovska “Tourism Ambassadors is new, Seychelles needed to be more innovative in forging ahead for the consolidation of our Tourism Industry, because this remains the pillar of our economy” Alain St. Ange said
|
||||
Capt. Savy, who was speaking at the STB meeting, the day after it was announced that Air Seychelles is on contract with the British Ministry of Defence to operate twice weekly services between UK and the Falklands via Ascension Islands, sounded a cautious note about the future. He confirmed the dropping of both Zurich and Frankfurt this year, due to low passenger loads. The German market can still be serviced by the weekly Condor flight from Frankfurt but there is no direct air link with Switzerland. Capt. Savy said that Air Seychelles incurred losses though its share of passengers to Seychelles rose to 74% from 68% the previous year. Capt. Savy said that the aviation industry was worldwide a receding one and many airlines are going bust, plagued by rising operational costs and lower passenger loads. Even large airlines, such as British Airways, which used to be very profitable, is flying through serious turbulence and is now being hit by strikes, linked to redundancies which will affect the company even more. At Air Seychelles, there have been no redundancies, despite the hard economic times. The national airline last year obtained a Rs30 million from government to finance some investments, such an office complex at Pointe Larue to be used as its head office. This is relatively little compared to bailouts of over $100 million requested by Air Mauritius and South African Airways. He said only five airlines were still operating in sub-Saharan Africa and Air Seychelles was one and the others are Air Mauritius; Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Ethopian Airlines. Capt. Savy called the airline industry a receding market and anticipates a gloomier future when the campaign against long haul flights - said to be a major contributor towards CO2 emissions and global warming, start to bite. Last week, the International Aviation Organisation (IATA) stated that airlines had lost $10 billion in 2009. The forecast for 2010 is a loss of around $5 to $6 billion, according to IATA |
||||
The business is owned by Miss Beguitta Marie and it sells raw materials like paints and brushes for the artists and as an artist she also makes her own creative works. Miss Marie says that she opened the business due to the demand of such materials by the artists. As raw materials are not like clothing, she says that she has to do a lot of research to get the specific materials as they can be rare and she added “Since Seychellois like quality stuffs, you have to give them things which are worth their money.” However, she would like to remind them that, quality things may cost and she is doing her best to please her customers. She also wishes to say that she is disappointed in the way people behave at times. “Some people never appreciate what others do for them. They are only here to criticize. Maybe it would have been better instead of criticizing to give ideas on how things could be ameliorated as I am trying my best to help them.” However, she thanks those who keep on encouraging and supporting her in doing her business |
||||
Maxime Dubois the owner of this business was in Cottage business before and his latest venture is situated at the NSC Building near the Grand Anse Primary School. Mr. Dubois also caters for private parties and weddings and he sells his snacks at the Grand Anse School. “I was inspired by President Michel, when he said that youth should launch themselves in small businesses. I decided to grab the opportunity”, Mr. Dubois says. Maxime was assisted by SenPA and said that now he is proud to say that he has succeeded. Choice’s Snack and Takeaway opens at 7am to 6.30 pm during weekdays, 10am to 630 pm on Saturdays and 2pm to 6.30pm on Sundays. Anyone who wants to order their snacks can contact him on either 748730 or 591322 |
||||
 |
||||
