Tourism academy and association in Seychelles formalise bond in public / private sector partnership
ATP- arab tourism portal- The Seychelles Tourism Academy has formalised the good partnership it has with the country s tourism trade sector through the signing of an accord.
The agreement was signed this week at the academy by its principal Flavien Joubert and the chairperson of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association, Freddy Karkaria.
Witnessing the signing was the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange. Present at the event were the principal secretary for tourism Anne Lafortune, chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board Sherin Naiken, members of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association, and the management team of the Seychelles Tourism Academy.
Through this agreement, cooperation in research, human resource development and marketing will be established and the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association is now officially a partner of the academy.
Promoting careers in travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation and related fields is a vital element of this accord, as well as bringing more visibility to both institutions.
Speaking after the signing, Mr Joubert took those present down memory lane, talking about the partnership between the two parties.
He said the bond which exists between the academy and the association goes back a long time but now that it has been formalised, he hopes for more collaboration.
Mr Karkaria echoed words of thanks to the minister and Mr Joubert for spearheading this initiative to formalise this agreement.
“We must give the Seychelles Tourism Academy full support that it deserves. It is well-placed to inculcate in our students the vitality of our tourism industry which is the pillar of our economy,” he said.
Addressing those present, Minister St.Ange said this signing is long overdue, but it is a good step forward for both the academy and the association.
“This accord gives a proper way forward and it helps Seychelles to as a whole to understand that we need the country’s business sector to support the tourism industry and the academy,” he said.
We should tailor-make what we are teaching at the Seychelles Tourism Academy as it is here to deliver for the tourism industry, he added.
“There is a need to evaluate what is needed in the industry and by the trade to add to what is being taught at the academy, thus meeting the needs of the hotels,” Minister St.Ange said.
