aTP- Arab tourism portal- A delegation of marketing individuals from the Seychelles, led by the Seychelles Tourism Board’s Office in the UK, embarked upon a marketing road show in Northern UK recently from the 15th March to the 17th March 2016
The delegation comprising of Tinaz Wadia, Eloise Vidot and Myra Fanchette – Seychelles Tourism Board office in London, Angelika Gerhold – Banyan Tree Seychelles, Ash Behari – Coco de Mer Hotel and Black Parrot Suites, Anna Alvis – Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort and Spa, Wendy Tan – Berjaya Hotels Seychelles, Katerina Ferguson – Savoy Seychelles Resort and Spa, Jon Schofield from Crystal Cruises, Bessie Etienne – Denis Island Private, Indian Ocean Lodge & Carana Beach, Devi Pentamah – Hilton Seychelles, took to the road in the UK, meeting travel agents and tour operators in Manchester, Kendall and York.
This was part of the Train and Dine series of events that has been taking place in the UK over the past couple of years, where the Seychelles partners have had the opportunity of meeting directly with the various UK travel trade professionals and presenting and promoting their products and services – directly to people that sell Seychelles Holidays to their clients. The products were presented by their respective representatives on an electronic screen format, with impressive visuals and essential information delivery.
This type of training, exchange of information and interaction about the Seychelles destination was warmly welcomed by the UK travel trade individuals, who at the end of the evening at each event, expressed their thanks by saying that the tools offered in the form of information, gave them more confidence to recommend and sell the islands – to their clients.
‘It is an imperative part of our training program with the UK agents – to bring our Seychelles partners together – and focus on selling and promoting the destination en force, under one roof – simultaneously’ said Miss Wadia, who also expressed satisfaction – with the success of this series of events. She went on further to say that ‘the effort made by the Seychelles trade partners to attend the events and share their product knowledge with the agents, was immense – and in turn – gave the agents more confidence and equipped them further – to sell the destination without hesitation.
In a relaxed casual atmosphere, of presentations and inter mediate dining, each product was presented. Each partner had a chance to host a table of travel agents at various intervals during the evening. This direct contact enabled the partners to interact on a one to one basis with the UK travel trade and answer questions that were put forward to them.
The partners present provided the agents with an array of accommodation choices proving that the Seychelles is indeed a destination for all clients without breaking the bank.
‘As this series of events have proved to be such a success, we will continue to embark upon other such events in the future’ – Miss Wadia said.
The next event in the 2016 series will take place – prior to WTM in November 2016.
