First Seychelles Tourism Middle East Travel Awards was a huge success…
aTP- Arab tourism portal-The Seychelles Tourism Board Middle East Office of Dubai recently staged their first Seychelles Travel Awards Ceremony on 12th November 2015.
A night of appreciation, a fitting time to honor the travel industry who contributed to the success Seychelles have gained through time. 10 Coco de Mer awards were handed to the companies to recognize their outstanding contribution who played a major role/channel in promoting or selling the destination while certificate of appreciations were given to twenty trade partners for their continued support to Seychelles through the years.
The Seychelles Tourism Board Middle East Office was established in 2001. In the last 14 years have expanded and developed itself through the opening a second office in Abu Dhabi in 2011 and continuously tightened its relationship with the hoteliers, DMC’s, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Media and Corporate partners in the region.
The GCC particularly UAE has always been one of the top feeder market to Seychelles. As per the Visitor Arrival Statistics for October report published on 9th November 2015 by the National Bureau of Statistics, UAE and the GCC accounted for 42.54% increase in visitor arrivals as compared to the same period last year.
This year STOME’s target visitor arrivals is 21,000 and is proud to announce that they already achieved a total of 22,315 visitors from January to October 2015 and this tremendous success will not be possible without the consensus effort between STOME and all their partners.
The first travel awards ceremony was enthusiastically supported with different prizes by different hoteliers and Destinations Management Companies such as: Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa, Banyan Tree Seychelles, Constance Ephelia Resort, Enchanted Island Resort, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove, Maia Luxury Resort & Spa, Raffles Praslin Seychelles Resort and The H Resort, Beau Vallon Beach. Also, DMC’s such as Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel and Vision Voyages pledged their full support to the event.
The winners at the event will have the opportunity to explore and experience the Seychelles product with complimentary stays along with transfers and excursions.
Also, the presence of the Tanmi group, local musicians and dancers led by Joseph Sinon added delight to the event as they performed the traditional Seychelles “Creole” music. The guests were ecstatic as the entertainers interact with them and in a way they were able to feel the Seychelles culture through the music and dance.
“Over the years, our partners always provide enormous support to us, may it be through bookings, advice on the latest travel trend they encounter and through their attendance in our events. Our partnership has been tested by time and circumstances and success of the Seychelles Travel Awards testifies the strength of our relationship,” said Ahmed Fathallah of the seychelles Tourism Board Dubai Office.
“It is about time for the Seychelles Tourism Office Middle East to give back to the partners for their enormous support and assistance to the destination. We are jubilant with the transition of Seychelles, now it is not only known for couples and honeymooners but also an emerging destination for families" added Mr Ahmed Fathallah.
“The proximity of Seychelles to the region and having no visa requirements are the advantages to entice consumers and could turn their dream into reality to visit the islands,” Mr Ahmed Fathallah said as he ended his welcoming remarks.
