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Seychellois Schooners-locally crafted treasures on the market
“L’Art Divine” is the business name of a new creative enterprise set up by Ricky and Julia Morin of Plaisance for the construction of model Seychellois schooners that have become “collectors items”.
In yester years, schooners were the main means of transportation between the Seychelles Islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, as well as the outer islands. Many of us will fondly recall travelling in them to and from the islands in our youth. Today, very few of these ships are utilized to navigate our waters. Modern vessels have replaced these traditional ships as ferries or cargo boats.
The larger ships that serve the outer islands have all but disappeared. The remnants of the once proud “Isle of Farquhar” are stuck in the muddy plains of Plaisance. On the island of Praslin, we can still find “Curieuse” belonging to the Inter Island Ferry of William Rose, being used as one of the main ferries between Praslin and La Digue. Another former ferry boat “Silhouette” has been sold to Nicolas Boulle and is now docked at Angel Fish Marina.
Aroha, Argo, MiriamHelen, Louis Alfred, Arne are names of known and much loved Seychellois old Schooners and all to scale models are now being built through a joint collaboration between Robert Port Louis and Ricky Morin. The cooperation pulled together the expertise of a model to scale builder and an entrepreneur who wanted to see Seychellois schooners remembered. Today, two schooners (ERO and Revenant) are already available and are on sale to the public.
Each model sold will be accompanied by the story of the schooner printed on a scroll and a Numbered Certificate, making it a prime Collector’s Item and an ideal gift for the nostalgic Seychellois or visitor to the islands.
We congratulate Ricky and Julia Morin for this great initiative, and for introducing beautiful, locally hand-crafted treasures into the market.
Seychelles’ dedicated beach vegetation nursery opens in the South
Chalets d’Anse Forbans, the NGO Anse Forbans Community Conservation Programme (AFCCP), and the Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles (MCSS) have announced the launching of their small beach vegetation nursery.
The nursery was opened on 23rd March 2018 as a joint event with the Chalets d Anse Forbans, AFCCP, MCSS and the local Takamaka School.
Ten children from the Takamaka school ranging in age from 6 to 9 years visited Chalets d’ Anse Forbans and were hosted by the MCSS and the AFCCP. They learned about the importance of beach vegetation and were fortunate to have first-hand experience in planting on the beach and re-stocking the nursery for future planting exercises. The nursery will be used for the replanting efforts along the Anse Forbans beaches.
The children greatly enjoyed this novel experience and expressed their eagerness to be involved in future planting exercises.
Outreaches into the community are crucial and awareness and education will teach our future generations how to protect their vulnerable and precious environment.
Source:- NGO Anse Forbans Community Conservation Programme (AFCCP)
Holidaymakers enticed to add Seychelles to their bucket list by UK media
Seychelles has been gaining prominence in some of UK’s top publications. It has been listed as a bucket list destination by Melan Mag – an online lifestyle magazine primarily (but not exclusively) for women of colour living in the UK.
Melan Mag’s article titled ‘5 Long-Haul Holidays to Add to Your Summer Bucket List’ was published on March 1, 2018. It describes Seychelles as an affordable destination, with new transport and accommodation options, while highlighting the islands’ glorious beaches, exceptional hospitality and natural surroundings.
“A lot of people don’t know about the island nation’s vibrant art scene, which features renowned painters, sculptors, writers, poets, musicians, and dancers to whet your appetite for some stunning works of art,” the article adds.
Having recently interviewed Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, the online magazine, which features thought-provoking content on fashion, health, beauty, travel, and lifestyle, is quickly gaining momentum.
Recently, Seychelles was also listed among the 25 best destinations for winter sun by The Telegraph, one of the biggest newspapers in the UK, with an outreach of almost 1.2 million. The article published on February 28 features an eye-catching, dreamy aerial photograph of the Seychelles shoreline, beckoning anyone who sees for a visit.
The Telegraph describes Seychelles as a honeymoon haven, but also highlights its suitability for other holidaymakers, other than newly-weds. “The idea of a ‘Lost World’ is implausible today, but this chain of Indian Ocean islands does a sterling impression of an escapee from an Arthur Conan Doyle novel,” states The Telegraph.
Other publications highlighting the Seychelles’ uniqueness as a holiday location in the UK since the beginning of 2018 include the Daily Mirror, the Express, Evening Standard and Mail Online.
The increased visibility is due to the relentless efforts of the Seychelles Tourism Board and its PR partners to ensure that the archipelago’s tourism attractions gain media exposure globally, from top tier to niche outlets.
The Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Sherin Francis said, “In an ever-growing competitive travel and tourism industry, it is important to stay one step ahead and push these efforts, ensuring widespread media coverage.
Source:- Seychelles Tourism Board
Editor’s Note:- This latest visibility for Seychelles may be attributed to the continued hard work and tireless efforts of Sherin Francis, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, and her exceptional team. When Seychelles is not in the press, the visibility of our islands will fade and our tourism industry will consequently lose relevancy.
The 4th ‘Goût de France’ celebrated in Seychelles
& Sherin Francis, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board
at the Press Conference
A French-style dinner was proposed to guests as another Goût de France/Good France was celebrated in 19 restaurants & hotels in Seychelles on Wednesday March 21.
The 4th edition of this celebration of the French Cuisine is being held in some 150 countries and 3000 restaurants worldwide, from those offering ‘haute cuisine’ to quality bistro food. It is the 4th consecutive year that Seychelles has taken part in the international culinary event, which is organised by the French Embassy in collaboration with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB).
Goût de France/Good France is celebrated a day after the International day of ‘La Francophonie,’ commemorated on March 20. This year, it is the French region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and its exceptional gastronomic heritage that has taken the centre-stage.
In a Press Conference to launch this year’s Goût de France on Wednesday, the French Ambassador to Seychelles, Lionel Majesté-Larrouy, said the event is one that aims to attract both tourists and locals. He said while the French gastronomy is well-known, the event helps to showcase how the French cuisine has evolved and can be linked to new gastronomies and can also incorporate products from other countries.
He highlighted the success of the event globally, as the number of participating restaurants have tripled in four years.
The STB’s Chief Executive, Sherin Francis, emphasized the growing success of this event locally, which in 2018 has recorded one participant more than last year, as well as four new comers. She highlighted the cultural link between the French and Creole cuisine, while adding that the event is a way to promote the destination, with France being one of the main tourism markets for Seychelles.
The event is also a way for the local chefs to gain exposure while working alongside international chefs employed in the local hotels.
Hotels on Mahe, Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette have taken part in this year’s ‘Goût de France’ on Wednesday. Some of the 19 restaurants will be offering French style dining on other days this week. Chefs in Seychelles will be among 3,300 chefs worldwide to be presented with certificates for participating in the 2018 Goût de France.
Source:- Seychelles Tourism Board
WTTC Shortlist two African finalists for Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
Two African tourism entities have made the final list for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, organized by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The two, Chumbe Island Coral Park, Tanzania, and &Beyond, South Africa, are up for the environment and community awards respectively.
The Tourism for Tomorrow (T4T) Award is the World’s top accolade for sustainable tourism; they recognize the highest ethical standards in the sector and are respected by industry leaders, governments, and international media alike.
The awards are aimed at recognizing best practice in sustainable tourism within the industry globally, based upon the principle of environmentally friendly operations; support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage; and direct benefits to the social and economic well-being of local people in travel destinations around the world.
Ever since launching its luxury safari company with the creation of the Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Kwazulu Natal region, &Beyond has known that it was essential for its own success to protect the biodiverse wilderness areas that form the basis of its business. Likewise, it knew this could not be done without the support of the communities who neighbour these parks and wild lands.
Through its non-profit Africa Foundation, and the Shared Value Model it operates by, &Beyond has set up sustainable community development projects in 56 communities throughout South Africa, Southern Africa and East Africa. These cover a wide range of needs, including classrooms, clinics, centres for orphaned and vulnerable children, vegetable gardens and craft markets.
Despite being based on a tiny, formerly uninhabited small coral island that is just over 1km long and 300m across at its widest point, Chumbe Island Coral Park has, over more than two decades, achieved results that stretch far beyond its shores. This is the site of the first financially self-sustaining marine protected area (MPA) in the world, entirely funded by the seven bungalow ecolodge based on the island. Yet, as well as sustaining the island, the reef and their guests, many more have benefitted from Chumbe’s efforts.
Since 1995, 9,400 local people, ranging from school children and teachers, to community members and government officials, have taken part in educational excursions to Chumbe, which has also shared its knowledge of environmentally friendly development through the creation of a sustainable seafood guide and an Environmental Guidebook for Zanzibar.
This year’s T4T awards’ ceremony would be held in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires during WTTC’s Global Summit on April 19th.
Source:- WTTC
World Travel Awards to visit Durban for Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony
World Travel Awards has revealed that its Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony will this year be hosted at Durban International Convention Centre, South Africa. Hospitality leaders from across the region will gather for the red-carpet gala ceremony on October 6th to see who among them has been voted the best in the business.
Enviably located moments from Durban Beachfront, the award-winning Durban ICC is a state-of-the-art events and entertainment venue. It will be World Travel Awards third visit to Durban ICC, having hosted ceremonies in 2008 and 2009.
Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, said, “It will be an absolute pleasure to return to Durban for the first time since 2009. With its beautiful beaches and fascinating Afro-Indian culture, Durban is one of South Africa’s essential destinations. We are honoured to partner with the Durban ICC. Opened by Nelson Mandela in 1997, this incredible facility has successfully staged some of the world’s most prestigious events. I look forward to welcoming all of our nominees here in October, as part of our silver anniversary celebrations. WTA has maintained its position as the industry leader for the past 25 years, consistently proving its value as the global benchmark for excellence in the travel, tourism and hospitality business. Durban is a natural paradise known for its gorgeous coastline of sun-kissed beaches and subtropical climate, situated on the eastern seaboard of Africa around one of its busiest ports. Hilton Durban is an iconic landmark hotel in the city, offering superior accommodations in a supreme location near the Durban International Convention Centre. All rooms offer panoramic views of the city or the Natal coastline, with easy access to Durban’s beaches and central business district, perfect for meetings or events. Preferential rates at Hilton Durban will be available to all World Travel Awards attendees”.
Lindiwe Rakharebe, chief executive officer, Durban ICC, said, “I cannot express my excitement at the prospect of hosting this prestigious event in our world-class facility at the Durban ICC and the beautiful destination of Durban. “We are all looking forward to welcoming our industry colleagues, friends and media from around the world. We are ready to give all our special visitors a warm and unforgettable Durban experience. As part of the Grand Tour 2018, World Travel Awards is also hosting ceremonies in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), Athens (Greece), Hong Kong, Guayaquil (Ecuador) and Jamaica, with the winners progressing to the Grand Final in Lisbon (Portugal)”.
Voting for the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony opens on March 26th and concludes on August 19th.
Source:- WorldTourismWire
VoyagesAfriq recognises Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie of La Digue
VoyagesAfriq Magazine continues to review tourism destinations, cultural events and hotel establishments which stand out from the rest. The latest issue, which was launched at the ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin, featured, amongst others, a detailed report on the 2017 Festival Kreol of Seychelles.
Another article in the Magazine was dedicated to the well-reputed Hotel on La Digue Island, Seychelles, namely Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie. The continued publicity that this tourism establishment manages to receive on an international scale is indicative of its burgeoning success. “The proof of the pudding is in the eating” remarked Joe Albert, the owner of the this five-star Hotel.
