SEYCHELLES: Tourism Minister Goes To Mahé To Visit Tourism Properties In Seychelles

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, has visited another 8 tourism properties on Mahé, as part of his ongoing door-to-door visits to holiday accommodations in Seychelles.

The eight establishments chosen were mostly Seychellois-owned small self-catering properties, located at Anse aux Poules Bleues and Anse Soleil, in the Baie Lazare district.

The aim is to be aware of the various services and products on offer, to appreciate the successes and gain an understanding of challenges faced by these establishments.

The Principal Secretary for Tourism Mrs. Anne Lafortune accompanied the minister on last Friday’s visit, as part of the tourism department’s ongoing efforts to align itself with key stakeholders in the tourism industry.

Starting off at Anse aux Poules Bleues, the first stop was at Zeph self-catering, which offers two self-catering accommodations set in a quiet location. The property owned by Ms Agnielle Monthy has been in operation since 2013, and strives to offer a Creole touch to its guests, who are mainly German visitors.

The delegation then proceeded to the Red Coconut Self-Catering, owned by Mrs Juliette d’Offay and her husband. Following renovations, the property offers two high-end self-catering accommodations, with breathtaking views of the Anse à la Mouche bay.

Minister Loustau-Lalanne and team also toured the Hill Side Retreat boasting two private wooden cabins, where they met with the owners Mrs Anne-Lise Platt and her husband who reside on the same property.

From Anse aux Poules Bleues, they moved to Anse Soleil where the minister visited the Anse-Soleil Resort, which has four self-catering accommodations offering panoramic views of the Anse-La-Mouche bay.

The property is owned by Mrs Paula Esparon, who explained that in spite of being a self-catering establishment, they do cater for special meals upon request, mentioning that guests particularly love fresh local fruits for breakfast.

Mr Andrew Gee was the next owner to be visited and he did not hesitate to take the delegation on a tour of Maison Soleil, boasting two self-catering lodgings, fitting for both couples and small families offering them a rather rustic feel.

Commenting on the variety of visitors staying at his establishment, Mr Gee said: “People from all over the world seems to find Seychelles.”

Mr Gee who is an artist, also showcased his gallery where he allows free entrance, while he sells his paintings and hand made products, mostly to the tourists.

Anse Soleil Beachcomber, which has fourteen guesthouses and four self-catering accommodations with superb views of the Anse-Soleil Beach, owned by Dr. Albert was the last small property to be visited, before the minister and his delegation made their last stop at the Four Seasons Resort -- the only large hotel featuring on the programme.

At Four seasons, Minister Loustau-Lalanne took the opportunity to congratulate the General Manager, Mr. Adrian Messerli and his team, after the hotel was recently listed among the Top 5 resort hotels in Africa in the Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Award 2017.

Mr Loustau-Lalanne said: “I am very fond of the level of development which took place at Four Seasons Resort and I admire that they respected the environment right to the point that you can almost touch nature while being at the resort.”

The Minister was given a tour of the resort, which has 67 rooms in total and visited key spots of the property.

He was accompanied by Mr Messerli who took the opportunity to salute his staff for their relentless effort describing them as the resort’s “number one source for success.”

At the end of the visit to another eight tourism establishments, Mr Loustau-Lalanne said “all of the properties we visited today are of good standards and I am very pleased at the level of re-investments being done at respective establishments.”



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SEYCHELLES: Seychelles’ Tourism Industry Mourns Passing Of Longtime Hotelier Louis D’Offay

Seychelles has lost a well-known and respected tourism personality; Louis D’Offay, who passed away at his home on Praslin on Tuesday, at the age of 73.

Mr D’Offay who described himself as a self-taught hotelier, began his journey in the tourism industry with the small beach property at Cote d’Or known as Village du Pecheur.

Tucked at the end of Cote d’Or bay on Praslin, Hotel L'Archipel, an establishment, which he built in the late 1980’s can be described as his greatest success story.

As a businessman, he invested time, money and expertise in several other ventures, especially in tourism properties on Praslin and La Digue.

Mr Louis D’Offay was also the longest serving chairman of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA), stepping down in 2013 after serving as the association’s chairman for 15 years.

He was also a long serving member on the Board of the Seychelles Tourism Board and its predecessor the Seychelles Marketing Authority, up until 2012.

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne has paid homage to Mr D’Offay for his contribution, dedication and long years of service to the industry.

“Our Seychellois tourism family has lost a hard working son, we will celebrate your contribution to Seychelles as we pray for you. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the family,” said Mr Loustau-Lalanne.

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has also joined the Tourism Ministry in extending sincere sympathy and conveying words of comfort to the families and friends of Mr D’Offay and to the local tourism industry.



The Chief Executive of the STB, Mrs. Sherin Francis said: “The Seychelles’ Tourism Industry has lost one of its pioneers. I am convinced that Mr D’Offay will be remembered for the great work he has done for the industry and for Seychelles.”

SEYCHELLES: Air Seychelles Boosts Connections From China With A Series Of Charter Flights From Beijing

Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, has announced a series of non-stop charter flights between Beijing and Seychelles. The carrier will operate three return Airbus A330 services from the Chinese capital, as part

of an agreement signed with a Chinese tour operator Caissa. Flights have been scheduled to depart Beijing on 27 September, 4 October and 11 October and will provide convenient travel options to the Indian Ocean archipelago during the Golden Week national holidays, a traditionally busy travel period in China.

Last year, up to half a billion Chinese nationals are estimated to have travelled domestically and overseas during the Golden Week celebrations. The carrier’s Beijing service will complement the recently-announced charter flights from Chengdu, which Air Seychelles is set to operate in July and August. Roy Kinnear, Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, said: “Our Beijing charters have been designed to capture the travel demand out of China during the Golden Week holidays.

“Our A330 flights will provide Chinese holidaymakers with easy, non-stop access to one of the most beautiful island groups in the world. “These flights will have a positive impact on the local Seychelles economy and support the growth of inbound tourism numbers from China.”

Non-stop charter flights between Beijing and Seychelles.

The carrier will operate three return Airbus A330 services from the Chinese capital, as part of an agreement signed with a Chinese tour operator Caissa.

Flights have been scheduled to depart Beijing on 27 September, 4 October and 11 October and will provide convenient travel options to the Indian Ocean archipelago during the Golden Week national holidays, a traditionally busy travel period in China.

Last year, up to half a billion Chinese nationals are estimated to have travelled domestically and overseas during the Golden Week celebrations.

The carrier’s Beijing service will complement the recently-announced charter flights from Chengdu, which Air Seychelles is set to operate in July and August.

Roy Kinnear, Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, said: “Our Beijing charters have been designed to capture the travel demand out of China during the Golden Week holidays.

“Our A330 flights will provide Chinese holidaymakers with easy, non-stop access to one of the most beautiful island groups in the world.

“These flights will have a positive impact on the local Seychelles economy and support the growth of inbound tourism numbers from China.”



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