Inside seychelles issue 2 june 2016

Page 1

‘Aldabra’

‘THE VOICE OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY’

Once Upon an Island

Around ten years ago, Czech businessman Petr Keller, had an idea to shoot a movie in the Indian Ocean archipelago. A conversation he had with the late Ernst Pindur, who was the Seychelles Honorary Consul to the Czech Republic at the time, convinced him that Aldabra should be the chosen island for such an ‘adventure’. It took another six years for things to unravel and for the journey to officially begin. In 2013, with the financial back of investor and producer Robert Schneider, crew of around 40 people moved to location on Aldabra to start shooting Aldabra – Once Upon an Island, a 3D movie production by Starlite Pictures which Keller had founded in 2000. By Keller’s side during the shoot was Michael Havas, who was the story advisor.

June 2016, Issue 2

Editor's remarks From my office window, I can see the gigantic form of the cruise ship, Queen Victoria, arriving in port for her stop at the Seychelles Islands something we could only dream of just a few years ago because of the threat of piracy - and I am reminded how vital security is to tourism. Actually, one cannot have, or expect to have, a successful tourism industry without security because, when all is said and done, tourism cannot even exist without security. Just a glance at the newspapers or the TV shows us how countries of the world are being engulfed by turmoil, strife and terrorism, and with very few exceptions. We have seen how terrorist attacks, such as those in Paris and Brussels, can have a dramatic effect on the tourism industry and how Tunisia and Kenya’s tourism has suffered enormously as a result of recent terrorist attacks in those countries. Tourism is one of the planet’s major industries and, if pursued sustainably, it certainly has the power to transform the lives of populations the world over. However, by simple virtue

Continued on Page 14... Continued on Page 14... Inside Seychelles is a publication produced by the Seychelles Tourism Board. Editor Glynn Burridge, Collaborators Marie-France Watson, Ineke Camille and Olivia Michaud (Graphics and layout). For information about this publication please contact Mr. Burridge, Glynn.Burridge@seychelles.travel or call us on 2512477 (Marie-France)


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 2 ]

Michael Adams Celebrated Seychelles painter, produces book of sketches, ‘Island Souls’.

In this fast moving world, I am particularly proud of the way that we at STB are keeping abreast of the curve with our e-marketing campaigns and how our team in that department have really put us on the map when it comes to heightening our social media profiles across a broad range of platforms.

Michael Adams, one of the islands’ best known painters, is due to publish a book of sketches he has made over many decades living in Seychelles. The new book, Island Souls, is a fascinating collection of island personalities who have sat for the painter since 1972 and who are now brought to life in this beautiful compilation. Michael, who was awarded an MBE by Queen Elisabeth in 2001 for his services to art in the Seychelles, specialises in colourfast watercolours and silkscreen prints of people, land and seascapes – often sprinkled with subliminal signals referring to the Garden of Eden. His phantasmagorical renditions of Seychelles, stroked in vibrant blues, reds, greens and gold have won acclaim the world over and, capture perfectly the essence of the

Sherin's perspective

islands and their mesmerising natural beauty. Born in 1937 in Malaya, Michael was to become a wandering child of Empire, and on hand to witness the Japanese invasion of Singapore as well as the shenanigans of Idi Amin’s Uganda before he finally came to settle in Seychelles in the early 70s. Since then, he has become famous on the art scene at home and abroad for his paintings which deck the halls of many a dwelling the world over and this new collection of sketches, published by Mark Inch of Bluebird Investments, adds a wonderful new dimension to his work. Some sketches in the book

The statistics are impressive and show how the Board’s social media following, today stands at 750,000 users over nine platforms which is one of the highest in Africa and how we have evolved from just one Facebook page and one website to nine social media pages and eight new niche websites not to mention a host of apps and online applications. In a world overtaken by the social media revolution, this gives us true visibility among a new generation of travellers who research their intended holidays via the web and who receive feedback on other people’s holidays via Trip Advisor. STB’s emarketing department has also been responsible for organising a number of social media workshops, conferences and training sessions for the local tourism trade which have been extremely well received and which point the way to increased interaction between the Board and the brave new world of social media in future.

Sherin Naiken CEO of STB


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 3 ]

The Seychelles Tourism Board is set to launch a new campaign of visuals designed to accompany its initiatives to sell the destination and its tourism products across all markets. These visuals, which are a departure from the previous generations of graphic designs, have been conceived to convey the various ingredients of the Seychelles Experience at a more personal level, showcasing the attributes of several of Seychelles’ niche markets. Designed in France, this new suite of visuals will carry taglines in the languages of the markets in which they are deployed to bring home the appeal of a Seychelles vacation to the consumer.

.

.

Création : samoa.fr

The call of the islands…


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 4 ]

Mr. Jean-Luc Lai-Lam : STO China

Age: 34 Years Old Nationality: Seychellois Qualifications: Master’s Degree in International Economics & International Trade (Tourism) Number of Years at STB: 5 Years Mr. Lai-Lam has been working with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) since 2011, whereby is duties has been mostly involved in the marketing the destination with focus on the Chinese market. Mr. Lai-Lam, please tell us a little bit about you and how you came to be where you are today? Well… around the office my coworkers like to tease and say that I am Chinese, but I’m a simple local born Seychellois man right here from the Seychelles where I grew up, went to school and spent most of my life. Of course, with Seychelles’ historic multiracial ties from the French, British, African, Indians and Chinese, one part of my ancestral heritage originates from the Guangdong Province in the south of China. Growing up at home, the Chinese

culture was always evident in one way or another and if you were to have Sunday dinner at our family home, this could have been seen clearly in some of the dishes prepare by my father. That is why I feel such a strong connection with China and basically how I ended up working for STB in China. What would you say motivates you to do what you do and what are you most passionate and excited about your job? For me the greatest motivation is the satisfaction in achieving and surpassing the goals and targets set, but the most passionate part of the job is seeing a project conceived from simple idea, the process it goes through, overcoming any setbacks or challenges and finally seeing the results at the end of the day in the growth of our Tourism Industry and feeling the sense of accomplishments in being able to contribute towards the development and growth of our country by working together with some of the most dedicated people that shares the same common goal as I do.

In recent years, we have seen the Chinese Market grow exponentially and now we are seeing a lot of changes and adaptation in the way business is conducted. What do you foresee for the future of the Chinese market in Seychelles? Yes, the Chinese market has been doing extremely well for our beautiful archipelago and of course this is not only because of the vision Seychelles had for the future of its tourism industry, but also the dedication and hard work of its people with both the public and private sector working together as one and with the different other sectors of our economy in making this happen. The future of the Chinese market still holds great potential, but in order to make this happen we must come together in not only creating more awareness and promoting the destination in China, but also to understand and accept the cultural and business ethics of the Chinese people, and further recognize the role that the internet plays in the way things are getting done now-a-days. This will help to keep us on the right track towards the sustainable development of the industry, the country and our people.


STB China

[ INSIDE Seychelles page 5 ]

First Roadshow

The Seychelles Tourism Board – China Regional Office is the first Tourist Office in China for 2016 to launch its 4 City Roadshow right after the Chinese New Year. This has given the Seychelles a giant step ahead of other destinations in terms of visibility by working together with both the Chinese Trades and Medias. This winter roadshow has been executed in the Northern region of the country, whereby Air Seychelles operates its weekly Direct Non-Stop flight out of Beijing. The four stations where Tianjin, Beijing, Shengyang & Shanghai. The trade partners commended the Seychelles Tourism Board on an excellent job done throughout the events, whereby the number of Chinese trade participating interest surpassed expectations. Partners throughout consisted of Air Seychelles in partnership with Ankeyunda, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Constance Hotels & Resorts, Banyan Tree, Raffles, Kempinski, Avani & Jettours.

Celebrating our Chinese Heritage China made its mark on Seychelles with the arrival of Chinese merchants and traders over 150 years ago, who made significant impact on the economic and cultural growth of the islands. As a republic, bilateral relations with our Chinese counterparts was an important foreign diplomatic box that was ticked almost immediately. In fact, this year, 2016, marks 40 years since Seychelles and China have been mingling bilaterally. The corporation that exists between the countries, have over the years, extended beyond diplomatic handshakes, right into the various pathways of life for many Seychellois. Seychelles is the first African country to have visa free travel for all passports with China. The introduction of Seychelles-China Day is a testament to the continuous closeness between the two countries and cultures. It celebrates and salutes the bond which exists between the two nations. The event which was first introduced in 2015, lasts over a few days and is full of activities and experiences which provide a platform for both cultures to merge and engage in exchanges which further strengthens the growing ties. Activities usually include artistic expressions (the Shanxi Group from China performed in the

2016 celebrations) and public fairs where Seychelles get a taste of Chinese cuisine and a chance to buy handicrafts and other items from China. The event is usually organised to coincide with the Chinese New Year. It is to be noted that in the past four years, the arrivals from

China has increased significantly as a result from more focus on the region by the Seychelles Tourism Board. In December 2015, Seychelles was voted “The Best Island Travel Destination” by China’s Best Travel Media, the Asian nation’s leading travel media. Photo credit; Patrick Joubert


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 6 ]

Tourism Board’s e-marketing campaigns embrace Far Eastern destinations The Seychelles Tourism Board’s e-marketing department has launched a number of initiatives tailor-made for destinations in the far east.

In 2015, the Tourism Board (STB) launched its first official micro-site in Chinese, Japanese and Korea http://asia-seychelles.com. It has also been developing a mobile app for

the Chinese market which will feature all accommodation, restaurants and activities which will also be available offline. The department is also developing an online e-learning programme for tour operators to train them to become certified Seychelles specialists. In terms of social media campaigns, various competitions and promotional campaigns are being run on Weibo and Wechat in mainland China, with one person in the Shanghai office dedicated to handling social media. Meanwhile, special to the Hong Kong market are targeted campaigns on Facebook during festive seasons such as the Chinese New Year. During 2016 there are plans for two additional competitions in the Chinese Market to be launched in collaboration with partner hotels and airlines as part of a concerted drive to keep the Seychelles Islands top of mind among Chinese consumers.

STB E m pl oye e Pr o fi l e

STEPHANIE LABLACHE Senior Marketing Executive

JULY 2006 TO DATE Stephanie has been in this post since May 2012 and is mostly busy with marketing projects outside of Seychelles. Her work involves a lot of coordination between Tourist Offices

and Representatives overseas. The past 4 years, her main focus has been the Asian market where she has worked in close collaboration with STO China. What do enjoy the most in your job? Meeting new people, visiting different places, experiencing new cultures are all elements of personal growth which are perks of my job. Above all, there is also a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when I see the results of my hard work through visitors’ arrivals, magazines, TV programs and brochures. How has STB in your view changed in the last 10 years? STB has grown in the sense that we are now opening up to the world rather than just the traditional markets that we use to tap in. We have also evolved in the way we reach our consumers, most notably through our social media presence which has really taken off in the past couple of years. When I started working for STB 10 years ago

I used to take care of all the emerging markets, namely in Asia and Eastern Europe and now, I see that these markets have visibly grown with China being one of our top 6 markets for the Seychelles. What is the goal for the Asian market? This year we have been blessed to get a weekly direct flight from Beijing. Hopefully in the future we can increase the frequency to three times weekly and also try and fly out of Shanghai and Guangzhou which are the two most travelled cities to Seychelles. Hotels need to adapt to the Chinese market in what they offer if we are planning to increase more visitors from that part of the world. On our side, we also have to keep in mind that we are a small island destination, with certain limitations and we have to maintain our growth around sustainable numbers. I am on a personal note though, very excited about the future of the Asian market in Seychelles.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 7 ]

Restaurant in Review

Magic Bowl

Moloko's Chinese Corner

W

hile many restaurants have Chinese inspired dishes on their menus, few have a Chinese dedicated section. One of the few restaurants to have this is Moloko which is located on the first floor of the Docklands Building in Victoria. Its location makes it an ideal eating spot for people who find themselves in the vicinity of the capital.

Moloko is well-known for its fresh food, fast service and the subtle taste of ‘Mauritius’ in some of its meals – especially in its signature dish, the Magic Bowl, which is a Chinese inspired item on its menu. The Mauritian touch comes from the owner and the restaurant manager who are both Mauritians and both also happen to be chefs. It is to be noted that the Chinese influence in its cuisine is particularly strong in Mauritius where Chinese immigration, mostly from Canton enriched the Mauritian cuisine by introducing wok cooking and multiple sauces like soy sauce.

What to expect from the Chinese Corner at Moloko:

Wok Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts Crispy Chicken in Lemon Sauce Sweet & Sour Pork Roast Pork Belly with Hoisin Sauce and Sesame Seeds Sautéed Duck with Cashew Nuts and Chili Sizzling Beef with Onion and Cabbage Sweet & Sour Fish Sautéed Crab with Garlic and Chili Prawn Chop Suey Squid sautéed in Oyster Sauce

Chicken Chow Mein

Moloko’s atmosphere is very casual and laid-back with a décor dictated by simplicity within an open style setting. Moloko is open on Mondays to Thursday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

Sizzling Beef with Onion and Cabbage


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 8 ]

The Monuments of Victoria THE QUEEN VICTORIA DIAMOND JUBILEE FOUNTAIN

Victoria may be the smallest capital in the world, but it is home to many monuments which have much to tell about the history of Seychelles.

The Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Fountain was unveiled in January 1900 and is made of porcelain with a small water tap and basins on the three sides. Crowning the fountain is a 30cm statuette of Queen Victoria, of which is also believed to be the smallest representation of the Queen’s likeness in the world.

PIERRE POIVRE STATUE

Pierre Poivre was the administrator of La Reunion and Mauritius in the 1770’s who had an interest in cultivating a spice garden in Seychelles. The wellknown ‘Le Jardin du Roi’ has Poivre to thank for its existence but more importantly, Seychelles has Poivre to thank for its first ever export – close to 750,000Kgs of cinnamon. Ironically, Poivre never did set foot in Seychelles.

LA DOMUS

The Domicilium is the residence of the Catholic Priests and was built between 1930 and 1934 by Brother Gélase. The building is surmounted with a cross and represents the impact of the Catholic Mission in Seychelles.

ST PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH

The original church was built in 1859. In 1862 a great avalanche devastated Victoria and many inhabitants sought refuge in the church. In 2004, Archbishop French ChangHim inaugurated and reconsecrated the new church that still stands today.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 9 ]

THE VICTORIA CLOCK TOWER

The clock tower is made from cast iron and was purchased in London and was casted in memory of her late majesty Queen Victoria. It was officially erected and was inaugurated on the 1st April 1903. It was originally black but was painted silver in 1935 to commemorate and celebrate King George V’s Jubilee.

KENWYN HOUSE

It was constructed in the 1850’s and was later acquired by The Eastern Telegraphic Company whereby the engineers lived there whilst laid the cable links between Seychelles and Zanzibar. The house was then later named Kenwyn, after a village in Cornwall of which it is thought is where the underwater telegraph cables came from. In 2004 a South African company undertook the task of restoring the house and it is now home to Jouel, the main diamond shop on the island.

THE SUPREME COURT HOUSE In early 1976 as the Seychelles prepared for its independence, the building became the new honourable house for the Constitution. A magistrate’s court was established on the ground floor and a supreme court on the first floor. The building is currently under renovations.

MONIMAN TWA LEZEL BICENTENNIAL MONUMENT

The monument, which boasts three pairs of extending wings that are exquisitely curved upwards was inaugurated in June 1979 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the town of Victoria since it was founded in 1778 by Charles Routier de Romainville.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 10 ]

The Hanneman Holiday Residence

The vision of the Seychelles Tourism Label is that “Every hotel enterprise in Seychelles integrates sustainability practices in their business operations.” This is exactly what the Hanneman Holiday Residence, located in the popular tourism district Beau Vallon, adheres to in its practices. In 2012, it became the first tourism establishment to be certified under the new Seychelles Tourism Board initiative and with each consecutive two years, they have continued to remain certified. Being a Seychelles Tourism Label establishment is a win-win situation for the familyoriented self-catering apartments. Not only is it limiting its carbon foot-print but the label also provides them with a marketing edge in a world which is becoming increasingly conscious of ‘green’ issues. In addition, the fruits of the measures they have adopted in the daily operations of the business also help keeps costs down which provides options for improving the business in other areas. Solar Panels: All of the water heating requirements for the entire establishment comes from solar heating. Rain water: A pipe system was introduced and more recently improved to provide rain water to the swimming pool. 50% of the pool water comes from this system.

House Keeping Chemicals: All cleaning products used in the daily operations are from the InnuScience line. With one of its core value being ‘Be responsible and conscious of the environment’ the ECOLABEL certified company produces biotechnology cleaning products which have no chemicals and therefore no adverse effects on human health nor the environment. Insulated doors and windows in the apartments: These help keep the cool air in and keeps the rooms cool even after the aircons have been switched off. Energy-reducing appliances: The refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines are all from German brand ‘Miele’, a leading company in Germany known for designing its appliances to deliver top performance and superior results while using as little energy, water and chemicals as possible. Solar lamps: At night, solar lamps are used to light up the pool and restaurant areas. This

has been the norm for many years but recent engineering development in such lamps have meant that their quality and effectiveness have significantly improved. The current lamps being used at the Hanneman apartments remain lit up all night until morning. The Hanneman Holiday Residence is relatively small, consisting of 7 apartments only, and while big investments in costcutting energy projects have to be wellthought out, they firmly believe that ‘small’ can go a long way in making a big overall difference. *6 establishments in Seychelles are certified under the Seychelles Tourism Label.


Forbidden Fruit By R.J. Williams

Legend has it that, on a night lit by a full moon, in a tiny jungle forest on the isle of Praslin in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Seychelles, a rather bizarre mating ritual takes place between the forest’s principal inhabitants. Below the canopy, the jungle is enveloped in a misty sweat as the lovers, locked in rhythm, sway back and forth in a primitive dance, while palm leaves rustle and tiny blooming flowers float through the air in a dazzling finish to a mystical ceremony that will ensure the forest dwellers of generations to come. The ‘lovers’ in this case happen to be ancient, endemic palm trees, and so the ritual is more a figment of Seychellois folklore’s collective – and wildly entertaining – imagination more than anything else. But this rare palm found nowhere else in the world, with separate male and female plants, is one of nature’s most baffling specimens. The female plant bears the coco de mer, a double coconut that curiously resembles the female pelvis, and its male equivalent is nothing short of suggestive, either: a phallus that can grow up to a metre in length. Symbolically, the coco de mer (often called the ‘love nut’) is perhaps Seychelles’ best ambassador to amorous travellers, because in many ways this rare and astonishing specimen represents all that is magical and surreal about the islands’ romantic charms. The history of the coco de mer has its roots in myths and the unknown, and the strange coincidences surrounding its biology have done nothing but fuel its saga. In fact, the coco de mer was among the principal reasons that British General Charles Gordon (of Khartoum fame), first spawned the theory that Praslin and its Vallée de Mai, a primeval forest where the coco de mer grows in abundance, was the original Garden of Eden.

Female Coco de Mer Nut. Credit Gerard Larose

Male Coco de Mer . Credit Gerard Larose

General Gordon based his claim partly on the fact that the Seychelles were the only granitic (and thus the most ancient) of any midocean islands in the world, being the highest peaks of a submerged remnant of an ancient continent that broke away from India and Africa, the last surviving relics of Gondwana. But his theory was also fuelled by his belief that the coco de mer palm was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. With the coco de mer nut’s erotic curves in mind, his assertion gave rise to a new meaning for ‘forbidden fruit.’ The Vallée de Mai is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mostly because of its overall status as

[ INSIDE Seychelles page 11 ]

a preserved natural forest that hosts a range of rare species (including the coco de mer), that are unique to Seychelles. Male coco de mer palms grow up to 30 metres, while female palms can grow to 24 metres. The nut itself is listed as the world’s largest seed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Until the true source of the nut was discovered in 1768, the coco de mer was believed by many to grow on a mythical tree at the bottom of the sea. This was because rotted-out coco de mer that had fallen and found their way into the sea would drift and mysteriously wash up on faraway shores. European nobles before the 17th century would go to great lengths to acquire one for their private galleries, and often adorned the nuts with jewels. Its longstanding reputation as an aphrodisiac may only have been derived simply from its evocative shape, strongly resembling that of the female pelvis, but the exact properties of its flesh are still being investigated. Old Seychellois legends aside, the spores on the outside of the male plant are in fact responsible for pollinating the female plant, but contrary to the myth a full moon is not a pre-requisite for its “lovemaking.” Rather, a strong breeze is what really helps – some 80 percent of germination is carried out by wind, with the other 20 percent the work of insects. Persistent rumours of the palm’s alleged mating habits did spur a short mission some time ago to investigate what actually happens in the valley at midnight, but the observers found nothing out of the ordinary. The most stringent procedures are enlisted to ensure the protection of the species, and coco de mers are only sold with a special tag and permit indicating it was harvested legally. Illegal poaching of the coco de mer can result in a steep fine and imprisonment. That kind of protection ensures the coco de mer a continued, though altogether rare, existence in the world, and as one of the most unique souvenirs the world over.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 12 ]

Guy Savy: Bird’s island boy

Guy Savy is an island boy, pure and simple, who knows and understands islands probably better than anyone in the country. His custodianship of Bird Island, Seychelles’ most northerly outpost, began in 1967 upon his return to Seychelles from New Zealand where he spent several years studying accountancy. He and a partner, Delorie, acquired Bird at a time when the island was much the worse for wear from years of human disturbance of the island’s famous colony of sooty terns whose population during the 1950s plummeted from somewhere near a million birds to scarcely 65,000. And so began the long process of clawing back the island from the brink of ecological disaster through sensitive conservation and eco-friendly tourism, of which Guy Savy is most definitely a Seychelles pioneer. The old lodge on Bird which opened in 1973 consisted of 18 rustic chalets with plaited, coconut leaf

finishings and a wonderful philosophy that placed the island first and which continues down to this very day. Bird Island is one of Seychelles’ outstandingly beautiful islands with arguably the most beautiful beach of the entire archipelago. Encircled by a ring of golden sands and with a verdant interior, it stands on the very edge of a drop-off nearly 100 km north of Mahé as the very caricature of what the perfect tropical island should look like. Rich in history, it has witnessed some spectacular shipwrecks and maroonings down the centuries but its chief claim to fame is undoubtedly its standing as one of the most important sooty tern colonies on the planet, visited today by more than a million birds between the months of May and October. The island is also home to wedge-tailed shearwaters, lesser noddy terns, sooty terns and frigates an ornithologist’s treasure trove. It is the ecological appeal of the island, which also boasts the largest

Guy Savy son's Nick and Alex

Aerial view of Bird Island

The bird colony

and one of the oldest giant land tortoises in the world that Guy Savy has marketed to great effect while ensuring that conservation of the island’s ecosystems comes first. At a time when many island owners have surrendered their conservationist principles to make money, Guy has stuck to his guns and his priorities, as per his favourite saying: “....and, by the way, there’s also a hotel on Bird.” In his marketing campaigns he has been ably assisted by a young Seychelloise, Melanie Felix, who has taken over the day-to-day running of the island’s marketing initiatives to great effect. He must be doing something right because Bird Island attracts a high number of repeat clients at its 24-chalet lodge which, while providing a high degree of comfort at the very heart of raw nature, has resisted installing in-room television and even air-conditioning. What immediately hits home is the authenticity of the island with its entirely Creole workforce and the olde worlde atmosphere of a traditional outer island which is becoming increasingly difficult to find is Seychelles. Just before handing over management of the island to his sons, Nick and Alex in January 2016, Guy spent much time streamlining and refining the way the island functions and, together with his partner, Erika, they put the final touches to the excellent island-style cuisine which is a guest favourite. He has also worked on installing a live webcam in the bird colony which will allow viewers a bird’s eye view of goings-on there.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 13 ]

Notre expérience Dès les premiers jours de notre arrivée, nous avons eu la chance de fouler le sol seychellois en visitant Victoria. Pour apprécier au maximum la capitale, le meilleur moyen reste la marche puisque celle-ci est relativement petite. Tout d’abord, nous avons parcourus les grands axes et nous sommes arrêtés à la célèbre « Clock Tower ». Ensuite, nous nous sommes aventurés dans les nombreuses ruelles de la ville. Là, nous nous sommes rendus au marché couvert où l’on retrouva divers produits locaux tels du poisson et des fruits frais. La ville dispose de magasins de textiles et mobilier, instituts de beauté et salons de coiffure. Pour finir, nous nous sommes éloignés du centre pour découvrir la Cathédrale de Victoria, avec son architecture imposante et son intérieur très aéré. Au cours de notre séjour, nous avons rejoint de nombreuses plages, à commencer par celles du nord avec notamment Beau Vallon, réputé pour ses activités aquatiques et ses restaurants en bord de mer. Beau Vallon Beach possède une large étendue de sable propice au prélassement sous le soleil. Les familles locales y viennent également pour célébrer les évènements familiaux, ce qui nous a permis de goûter au folklore et mode de vie seychellois. Trois centres de plongée y sont installés ; nous avons d’ailleurs fait notre baptême de plongée avec l’un d’eux, pour notre plus grand émerveillement. Ensuite, direction Port Launay pour y retrouver ses plages et surtout ses Cascades, qui, lorsqu’on traverse la jungle, apparaissent en un décor époustouflant. Une fois le nord apprivoisé, nous sommes partis à la conquête du sud, sur les plages d’Anse Royale,

L-R; Elisa Gillard, Harmonie Maziers, Lucie Rigutto,Rodrigue Dessart, Caroline Frys,Valentine Cimino, Philip Monthy and Floriane Jeanty..jpg

Anse Takamaka et Anse Intendance. Ces plages magnifiques, bien que différentes, nous ont envouté, jusqu’à rester admirer de splendides couchers de soleil sur des eaux bleues turquoise entourées de somptueux rochers de granit. Par ailleurs, nous n’aurions pu partir sans goûter à l’ambiance de la vie nocturne seychelloise. Lors d’une soirée partagée avec quelques amis locaux, nous nous sommes rendus à Eden Island pour débuter les festivités. Nous avons fait l’expérience du « Carambole », tout nouveau bar chic où nous avons déguster un verre sur la terrasse jouxtant la piscine. « Le Boardwalk », seconde étape de la soirée, est également très prisé par les Seychellois comme les touristes prenant plaisir à se déhancher au bord

du port. Nous avons achever la nuit, comme la coutume locale, en faisant la route jusqu’ au « Tequila Boom », discothèque située à Beau Vallon. Lors d’un autre weekend, nous avons franchi les portes du « Katiolo », autre discothèque réputée de l’île. Finalement, nous avons eu la chance de partir sur les îles de Praslin et La Digue pour s’extasier des plus belles plages du monde : Anse Lazio à Praslin et Anse Source d’Argent sur La Digue. Sur cette dernière, plus petite île des deux, nous nous sommes baladé, tels les habitants à vélo, principal moyen de transport. Nous avons également découvert les merveilles marines de ces îles avec le snorkeling.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 14 ]

Continued from Page 1... of the fact that so many people are now depending on it, tourism is also extremely vulnerable. Here in Seychelles, we like to say that we live in a country where harmony is a way of life and we have certainly been spared the ill effects of social and political insecurity which has been the scourge of so many nations, robbing them of any chance of prosperity. Security is something we should never take for granted for it is the very lifeblood of our tourism and of the future prosperity of ourselves and our loved ones.

Glynn Burridge

Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1982, it is administered by the Seychelles Islands Foundation, who also offered much needed support during the filming. In April 2016, the 73-minute production, ‘Aldabra, Once Upon an Island, had its International Premiere in Seychelles with Elvi the giant tortoise, Tory the sea turtle, robber Buster the giant crab (to name a few), winning over the hearts of the audience. Lise Romanoff of Vision Films from Hollywood attended the premiere and also represents the movie in its world-wise distribution which started afterwards. This came after the successful release in Czech Republic six months earlier. The next stop is markets in in the US and Canada followed by a worldwide cinema release of the movie with France, the UK, Germany, Russia, China, Korea and Japan.

Continued from Page 1... While initially, the idea had been purely to keep the production in a documentary format, it slowly evolved into a Family Entertainment Genre under the direction of director Steve Lichtag, who is also author of the script. Furthermore, with names like Don Hahn (Lion King), Kirk Wise (Lion King, Beauty and the Beast) and David Reynolds (Finding Nemo) who advised on the script, the final product is hardly surprising. Aldabra is the world’s second-largest coral atoll and is part of the outer islands of the Seychelles. It is uninhabited and extremely isolated making it virtually untouched by humans. Over 100,000 giant tortoises roam the islands, which surpasses the population of Seychelles. It consists of four islands; Ile Picard (West Island), Polymnie, Malabar Island (Middle Island) and Grand Terre (South Island) around a large shallow lagoon, encircled by fringing coral reef. Aside from its vast population of tortoises, it is also the largest raised coral reef in the world. Aldabra has a large population of the world’s largest terrestrial arthropod, the coconut crab; and hosts the whitethroated rail, the only surviving flightless rail species in the Indian Ocean.

Shooting

Director Steve Lichtag sweet talking elderly

Petr Keller and Ernst Pindur


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 15 ]

Seychelles’ booming marine scene It is said that God created Seychelles with the sailor in mind and when one looks at the raw, natural beauty of the archipelago, its easy sailing distances, diverse array of islands and near-perfect climate, it’s hard to disagree. This case been the case since the first explorers happened upon these shores, no doubt marvelling at their great beauty, abundance of vegetation and the emerald forests clinging to towering, granite peaks. Wonderfully, the shoreline has remained unchanged down the years while many of the forests are still virgin and harbour some of the rarest species of flora & fauna on earth. What has changed is that the appeal of this last sanctuary is steadily growing, along with its reputation for offering unique vacations across a broad range of marine experiences. The waning of piracy, a scourge to shipping in the Indian Ocean in recent years, is good news for the cruise ships that have long considered the Seychelles archipelago as the jewel in the crown of Indian Ocean Islands. Today, Port Victoria is firmly back on

Photo Credit: Gerald Larose

their itineraries and, in 2016, 26 cruise ships visited the islands. Similarly, Seychelles’ attractiveness as a port of call brought a total of 60 private yachts to the islands last year. Greatly assisting in this growth has been the improvement in infrastructure and the appearance of several state-of-the-art marinas and the comprehensive suite of amenities they offer. Eden Island Marina became operational in late 2007 and has seen three expansion phases since then. During the latest phase there was an addition to the 126m ‘T’ section at the end of the superyacht transit pontoon, catering for boats of up to 120m. The marina north of the Eden Island bridge became operational in March 2015 and can handle vessels up to around 40m. In addition to the Mahé’s Eden Island Marina, there other smaller marinas at nearby Anglefish and the Wharf Hotel as well as a small, private marina at Praslin Island’s Baie Ste. Anne. Sailing & cruising has never been more popular as may be expected in such a sublimely beautiful country and one can see the growing popularity of this segment by the growth in the

number of charters operators to 38 comprising a total of 138 vessels. Another marine sector that has burgeoned over recent years is sports fishing that now has its own very proactive association, the Seychelles Sports Fishing Club. This organisation has put Seychelles squarely on the map, not only in terms of hosting exciting, year-round sports fishing competitions with up to 1 million rupee prize money (Grander Marlin Competition), but also in promoting proper fishing techniques, conservation, research and tagging, all of which are improving the quality and appeal of Seychelles’ sports fishing. Diving has always been a major attraction which is not surprising considering the many attractions that Seychelles offers, including diving on coral and granite reefs, swimming with whale sharks, mantas and turtles as well as the uncrowded dive boats and relaxed dive schedules. More than ever, Seychelles offers a world-class choice of marine activities in the land of perpetual summer where harmony is a way of life.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 16 ]

Découvrez les merveilles de la vie sousmarine des Seychelles avec les sous-marins semi-submersibles « Penguins ». La beauté des Seychelles n’est pas seulement dans sa végétation naturelle, ses éblouissantes plages et ses mers bleues turquoise, mais son monde aquatique est aussi une part importante de son attraction unique. Nombreux sont venus de près comme de loin pour explorer et admirer ce que cache les Seychelles sous son océan turquoise. La plongée et les bateaux à fond de verre offraient déjà aux locaux comme aux visiteurs des Seychelles, la chance de voir ce à quoi ressemble la vie sous l’océan.

et de la Culture, Alain St. Ange, de sa secrétaire principale Anne La Fortune, de la directrice générale de la Seychelles Tourism Board, Sherin Naiken ainsi que du Consule général des Seychelles basé en Corée du Sud, Dong Chang Jeong. Etaient également présent le Président du JAF group, Joseph Albert et celui du HLB group, Yang Gon Jin et le directeur général de Creole Travel Services, Guillaume Albert parmi d’autres invités.

Photo credit: Vanessa Lucas

Mais maintenant, sans avoir la crainte de se mouiller, on peut simplement s’asseoir et apprécier les merveilles de la mer dans les récemment inaugurés « Penguins », sous-marins semisubmersibles. Ceux-ci ont été importés par la compagnie Creole Travel Services gérant la destination locale, en collaboration avec le HLB group de Corée du Sud. L’inauguration a pris place dans le parc marin de Saint Anne ce mardi en présence du Ministre du Tourisme

Ayant pris la parole à cet événement, le Ministre St.Ange estima que ce lancement est une plus-value au secteur touristique des iles au vue des besoins de son secteur privé d’augmenter le bénéfice de son industrie touristique. « C’est en leur procurant des aménagements et des activités que nous inciterons nos visiteurs à dépenser leur budget vacances aux Seychelles. Aujourd’hui nous sommes témoins de la prise de nouvelles initiatives et de la création d’activités pour nos visiteurs, c’est un

pas dans la bonne direction », affirma le Ministre St.Ange. Ce dernier, responsable du tourisme, salua la Creole Travel Services d’offrir un nouveau produit et service aux touristes visitant nos côtes. « Nous sommes fiers de voir un seychellois s’investissant dans l’industrie touristique de son pays. Les sous-marins semi-submersibles Penguins vont offrir au peuple des Seychelles ainsi qu’aux touristes la chance d’apprécier davantage ce dont nous jouissons sous la mer et de comprendre l’importance de préserver le merveilleux environnement marin de nos iles », ajouta le Ministre. Mr. Dong Chang Jeong prenant également part au discours d’inauguration affirma que les « Penguins » permettront à plus de gens de profiter du fantastique monde sous marin des Seychelles. Il ajouta que cette inauguration fut opportune pour la célébration, cette année, des 40 ans d’entente diplomatique entre notre pays et la Corée du Sud. Ce fut Guillaume Albert, directeur général de la Creole Travel Services qui eut le plaisir et l’honneur d’accueillir tous ceux réunis pour le lancement officiel des « Penguins ». Mr Albert expliqua la volonté de son entreprise de continuer à travailler pour les Seychelles aux cotés de la Seychelles Tourism Board dans l’optique de consolider l’industrie touristique de l’ile. Il confia que, comme le veut la tradition, sa compagnie eut l’honneur d’annoncer que Sherin Naiken, directrice générale de la STB et Julie Kim, directrice de la STB de Corée du Sud, étaient les Marraines de ces deux sous-marins semi-submersibles. Ces deux appareils écologiques possèdent une batterie rechargeable qui peut permettre aux clients de profiter d’une journée entière d’excursions via son autonomie de 8 heures.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 17 ]

The Legendary BREADFRUIT By Alexandria Faure & Chef Antoine Simeon Fallen in love with the Seychelles? If it’s a yes then you certainly aren’t the first and won’t be the last. Want to come back? We have one question for you…did you eat breadfruit? Legend has it that people who eat breadfruit always come back typically stated every time breadfruit is offered to tourists. Watch out for that statement!

who worked hard on the plantations back in the colonial era. It was a vital fruit for survival when ships failed to arrive with goods. A Special thanks to the Seychelles National Archives, Aselma Woodcock, Maria Léon & Tony Marie.

Breadfruit can be baked, boiled, fried, steamed, microwaved, grilled and barbecued. Phew! It’s a very versatile fruit. With a starchy texture and a fragrance similar to fresh baked bread, the breadfruit is an iconic and a traditional member of the culinary culture here in Seychelles. Traditionally, the breadfruit is eaten in many different ways, from boiled to fried as chips or cooked in coconut milk to make Ladob. Resonating of the island lifestyle, it is also roasted in an open fire with dried coconut husks until the outside is charred black, and then opened into two halves and eaten with a spoon, with butter or margarine. Having been obtained from the South Pacific Islands by French Explorers, the breadfruit carries with it a historical epic of sea voyages and was the cause of what historians call ‘The Mutiny of the Bounty’. The British botanists on the HMS Bounty Vessel had observed the fruit in great detail and with fascination - the texture and the aroma after baking was tender and white, just like a loaf of bread.

Photographs by Dominic Elizabeth

The breadfruit trees can grow up to 50-60 feet tall and can produce up to 100 fruits, three times a year. As a versatile and nourishing fruit rich in carbohydrates, the Breadfruit was once the staple diet for inhabitants

INTERESTING FACT The breadfruit prevented starvation in the colony, so much so that the Governor Charles Richard Mackey O’Brien enacted an ordinance for the protection of the Breadfruit Tree known as ‘The Breadfruit And Other Trees Protection Ordinance, 1917’. This act has prevented many breadfruit trees from being cut down and in 1985 led to a breadfruit plantation being cultivated at La Gogue.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 18 ]

Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Grants USD$1 Million to Marine Conservation in Seychelles

Kristin Hettermann, Grace Delivers

In true “put your money where your mouth is” fashion, American actor and 2016 Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio has donated USD$1 million, through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, to a debt-for-nature swap aimed at ocean conservation and climate adaptation programs. The Nature Conservancy, a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to conserving the Earth’s lands and waters, provided a low interest loan of USD$15.2 million and secured an additional USD$5 million in private funding, including support from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. Other funders include The Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham Environmental Trust, Oak Foundation, Waitt Foundation, Oceans 5, Lyda Hill, and The Turnbull Bernstein Family Charitable Fund. The swap

restructures approximately USD$21.6 million of Seychelles debt, reducing the country’s financial burdens and strengthening the integrity of its conservation programs. With its crystal-clear waters, serene beaches and unique wildlife, Seychelles draws visitors from around the world. Thousands of Seychellois earn a living — or at least their dinner —from fishing and/or the eco-tourism industry. The island nation’s lowlying geography, however, makes its people and their natural resources particularly vulnerable to climate change. As part of this deal, Seychelles has committed to increasing protection for the country’s national waters from less than 1 percent to more than 30 percent by the end of 2020. The Nature Conservancy is now creating a marine plan that will help

the government make informed decisions on where their conservation investments will deliver the highest return on investment. This is being achieved through an integrated, multiobjective and participatory planning process. The Seychelles is taking important steps to improve the resiliency of coastal and oceanic ecosystems and plan for economic activity now and into the future to help ensure that Seychelles remains an island paradise for generations to come. Once approved, the marine spatial plan will be the second largest in the world and the area for marine protection the largest in the Indian Ocean using a participatory and integrated approach and this innovative financing mechanism.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 19 ]

Let’s Dance

The music of the Seychelles Islands’ is, and has always been, largely influenced by the instruments, and the dance of the people who chose to make their homes here. The mix of musical (and dance) styles adopted, and created by Seychellois people, reflects the diversity of cultures that exist harmoniously, and inf luencing one a not he r.

Messages and emotions in drum-based songs depicted their depressed feelings, heartache, and sometimes prayers in sombre lyrics, almost like chants. It is the ‘moutia’ that is most closely associated with the African heritage

After the abolition of slavery, and the shift in colonial power from the French to the British in 1814, musical instruments were more common, and new forms of dance appeared in the Seychelles. In particular, the birth of ‘Kanmtole’ dancing –reminiscent of a Scottish Countr y Reel – and the ‘Contredanse’, which originated at the French Court, the ‘Mazok’, ‘Kotis’, a nd t he ‘Va l s’.

There are lots of song and dance groups in the Seychelles, ranging from t raditional local groups to modern jazz, reggae, country, hip-hop, ballad, and classic rock. You may also get the chance to watch a choir perform traditional anthems with a repertoire that includes sacred, popular, ancient, and even evangelical pieces. The ‘sega’ is found in the Seychelles, as it is on other Indian Ocean Islands, but the dance, and music unique to the Seychelles is the ‘moutia’ - a dance seen by the old colonial authorities as so sexually brazen, that it was banned. After a week of hard labour on the plantations, the workers would gather under the coconut palms, and dance to the sound of the moutia drums. The large flat drums are made from goatskin, and heated over a fire to tune, before being played. It gave slaves a different outlet for self-expression.

dance, with fiddles, guitars, and even synthesisers, but the drums and the tantalising hip swaying movements of the dancers remain. You may be lucky to have a performance at your hotel after dinner, and don’t be shy to join in and learn, not only is it great exercise, but it is a wonderful dance to teach when you return back home!

of the Seychellois people, but other African looking instruments also make up the musical heritage of the Seychellois sound: the one stringed ‘zez’ from Madagascar, the ‘bonm’, and the ‘kaskavel’. All were played during the long warm starlit evenings on verandas, or by beach fires. The ‘sega’ was originally only danced to drums, but nowadays the ‘sega’ is a modernised version of the traditional

Dance still has a strong cultural presence in the Seychelles. There are competitions for all ages, held at the end of every October, during the country’s annual six-day Festival Kreol (Creole Festival). The National Arts Council of Seychelles has also been very active in keeping alive the traditional dance forms, so as the Seychelles’ music continues to evolve, it will not lose the strong connection it has with the history of the country.


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 20 ]

16 belges aux Seychelles

Depuis début février, et ce, durant 15 semaines, les Seychelles accueillent 16 étudiants de La Haute Ecole Provinciale de Namur (Belgique) dans le but d’effectuer leur stage de fin d’études en Hotel Management. Un partenariat a été conclu entre la Seychelles Tourism Academy et la Haute Ecole belge. Les étudiants exercent différentes fonctions sur les îles principales des Seychelles ; certains d’entres eux travaillent à la Seychelles Tourism Board dans les départements Events et Marketing tandis que les autres effectuent leur stage dans le milieu hôtelier. Le futur directeur de la STA, Philip Monthy -qui prend en charge ces jeunespense que cette venue est bénéfique tant pour les étudiants seychellois que belges. En effet, une rencontre a été mise en place afin d’engendrer une interaction entre eux durant laquelle ils ont pu comparer la vision du management européen et seychellois. Cette première approche permettra par la suite d’effectuer un réel échange entre les deux écoles. La Belgique espère à son tour accueillir, dans les prochaines années, des étudiants seychellois afin d’apporter à ces derniers une plus-value à leur future vie professionnelle. Ceuxci pourront alors découvrir une façon de travailler assez différente, de ce dont ils sont habitués, davantage basée sur le management ; qui, peut-être, inspirera l’école seychelloise pour la formation qu’elle dispense. La destination Seychelles permet aux étudiants belges de découvrir le monde hôtelier de type « Resort » et « Leisure », contrairement à la Belgique, où le segment « Business » prime. Certes, ce sont deux mondes opposés, mais pour obtenir cette complémentarité et variété professionnelle, il est important de toucher à tout horizon. De plus, ce stage constitue leur ultime période d’apprentissage sur le terrain avant d’effectuer leur entrée sur le marché du travail. Par ailleurs, la plupart de ces étudiants ont entrepris ces études afin de pouvoir voyager à travers le monde et de se créer ainsi un répertoire de contacts multiculturel.

En effet, effectuer un stage à l’étranger permet aux étudiants non seulement d’avoir un regard critique sur une toute autre méthode de travail, dans ce cas-ci, mais également de mettre en pratique, sur le terrain, les différents cours théoriques et diverses connaissances acquises au travers de leur formation. Des cours de comptabilité et de marketing au cours de management, en passant par leur appren-

tissage linguistique, tout est mis en œuvre pour que ces jeunes adultes jouissent d’une formation complète qui leur donne ainsi un libre accès à un large éventail de professions. Ces étudiants belges quitteront le pays fin mai avec une expérience enrichissante : « Nous repartirons d’ici avec de nouvelles aptitudes qui nous aideront dans notre milieu professionnel mais également avec la connaissance d’une nouvelle culture. »


Seychelles Secrets L’archipel des Seychelles, l’un des joyaux de l’Océan Indien, regorge de plages aux sables fins et d’eaux cristallines à couper le souffle. Ce petit coin de paradis a longtemps été considéré comme une destination exclusive aux millionnaires et aux propriétaires de bateaux luxueux. Aujourd’hui, l’enseigne « Seychelles Secret » permet de sortir des clichés, et offre aux visiteurs de l’archipel un assortiment varié de logement de vacances accessibles, situés au cœur de la vie locale. Il s’agit d’une sélection unique de petits hôtels de charme, de pension de famille, de location meublé ou de villa de vacances des plus raffinées. Cette palette de possibilité permet donc à un plus grand nombre de touristes de profiter d’un séjour mémorable, en savourant la magie des sites pittoresques et apprécier l’hospitalité

A unique wedding organised by Mason's Travel

créole à un cout abordable. Ce portfolio d’établissement garanti également a ses visiteurs un service de qualité et un logement agréable. Les petits hôtels sont des hôtels traditionnels, situé dans de beaux endroits offrant généralement des vues superbes, en bordure de plages magnifiques. Toutes les chambres comportent une salle de bains privée et inclus le petit déjeuner. Les pensions de familles, qu’elles soient situées en montagne ou à la plage, proposent la formule Bed & Breakfast avec le charme authentique du style créole. Ces chambres peuvent également offrir des équipements privés ou communs. En ce qui concerne, les locations de meublé, elles ont des capacités d’accueil variées, allant des bungalows, aux maisons de vacances.

[ INSIDE Seychelles page 21 ]

Tout en s’adaptant à la demande des couples, des familles ou à des groupes plus importants, elles offrent un choix d’hébergement élargi pour optimiser la qualité du séjour. La marque Seychelles Secret met donc l’accent sur la qualité et l’accessibilité budgétaire. La destination ouvre ainsi ses portes à une autre clientèle que celle du luxe avec un plus petit budget et se rapproche plus de l’esprit et l’ambiance seychelloise. Pour plus d’information, veuillez consulter le site www.seychelles-secrets.com


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 22 ]

This 6th edition of the Carnaval was launched on Friday 22nd April 2016 with a spectacular opening which was a hint of what was to come. The main event was on the Saturday did not disappoint, with the breathtaking parade of floats and people. The small city of Victoria was a melting pot of colours and culture with an array of floats showing creativity and talent. The participants entertained the crowds and took the breath away of all watching. The photos are a small sample of this main event. The festival closed on Sunday 24th April following the Children's Carnival and family entertainment. We'll see you next year!! Photo credit: Vanessa Lucas

Day 1 Opening of Carnaval Day 2 Main Parade


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 23 ]

Day 3 Children's Carnaval and closing


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 24 ]


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 25 ]


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 26 ]

Contacts Seychelles Tourism Board HEADQUARTERS

Chief Executive Officer, Seychelles Tourism Board P.O. Box 1262, Victoria Mahé, Seychelles Tel: (+248) 4 671 300 E: info@seychelles.travel sherin.naiken@seychelles.travel

CLASSIFIEDS Inside Seychelles invites advertisers to promote their products and services at inexpensive rates on this page, sure in the knowledge that they will enjoy worldwide exposure via the wide distribution of the magazine to all of Seychelles major and secondary tourism markets.

PHONE OPERATORS

Cable & Wireless (Seychelles) Ltd. Francis Rachel Street, Victoria P.O. Box 4 Mahé, Seychelles Tel: (+248) 4284000 W: www.cwseychelles.com Airtel Telecom (Seychelles) Emerald Building, Providence P.O. Box 1358 Mahé, Seychelles Tel: (+248) 4600600 W: www.africa.airtel.com/seychelles

Casa de Leela, La Digue Tel: +248 423 4193 Fax: +248 423 4193 Mobile: +248 251 2223 Email: casadeleela@seychelles.sc Website: http://www.casa-de-leela.bplaced.net/

AIR SEYCHELLES

Air Seychelles Ltd. (International & Domestic) Head Office Tel: (+248) 4391000 Praslin Airport, Amitié. Tel: (+248) 4284666 International Flight Information Seychelles International Airport. Tel: (+248) 4391200 Immigration Office (Airport) Seychelles International Airport Tel: (+248) 2713193 E: asupervisor@gov.sc

EMERGENCY

Central Police Station, Victoria Tel: (+248) 428000 Hotline: 133 / 112 E: office@police.gov.sc W: www.police.gov.sc Baie St. Anne Police Station Tel: (+248) 4232332 E: baiestanne-stn@seypolice.sc W: www.police.gov.sc Grand Anse Police Station Tel: (+248) 4233251 E: grandanse-stn@seypolice.sc W: www.police.gov.sc La Digue Police Station Tel: (+248) 4234251 E: ladigue-stn@seypolice.sc W: www.police.gov.sc Seychelles Hospital, Mt. Fleuri Tel: (+248) 4388000 E: office@moh.gov.sc W: www.health.gov.sc Baie Ste Anne Praslin Hospital: Tel: 4233414 Logan La Digue Hospital: Tel: 4234255 Ambulance 151

AIRLINES

Emirates Airline, Caravelle House Tel: (+248) 4292700 / 4373008 E: ekseychelles@emirates.com W: www.emirates.com Kenya Airways, Kingsgate Travel Centre Tel: (+248) 4323903 E: sez.sales@kenya-airways.com W: www.kenya-airways.com Ethiopian Airline, Mason’s Travel Building Tel: (+248) 4288907 E: marenaud@masonstravel.com W: www.ethiopianairlines.com

“A Self Catering with a difference offering superb seaview.” Hanneman Holiday Residence Mahe Telephone: +248 4425000 / +248 2523828 Fax : +248 4425010 Email: info@hannemanholidayresidence.com Website: http://www.hanneman-seychelles.com/

Au Fond De Mer View, Mahe Telephone: +248 2 52 69 45 4 37 21 20 Email 1: reservations@aufonddemerview.com Email 2: solanaboniface@gmail.com Website: http://aufonddemerview.com/

Le Sur Mer La Digue Villas du Voyageur – Praslin Telephone: +248 – 2 59 00 03 or 42 33 161 Email: info@villasduvoyageur.sc Website: www.villasduvoyageur.sc

Tel: +248 4 23 51 81 Mobile: +2781770 Fax: +248 4 23 51 82 Email: lesurmerchalets@seychelles.net

ZIL AIR

Zil Air (Pty) Ltd. Tel: (+248) 4375100 E: info@zilair.com, book@zilair.com W: www.zilair.com

FERRY

Cat Cocos Ferry - Inter Island Boats Ltd Tel: (248) 4297164 Reservation: (+248) 4324843 Email: reservation@catcocos.com W: www.catcocos.com Praslin to La Digue Ferry, Inter Island Ferry Ltd Tel: (+248) 4322329

Etoile Labrine,La Digue Tel Office: +248 423 51 40 Mobile: ( +248) 277 23 83 or (+248) 274 20 22 Email: info@etoile-labrine.com Website: http://www.etoile-labrine.com/

Carana Hilltop Mahe Telephone: +248 4 24 19 90 / +248 2 78 16 01 Email: reservation@caranahilltopvilla.com Skype: carana.hilltop.villa Website: http://www.caranahilltopvilla.com/


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 27 ]

Miss Seychelles

M iss Seychelles

another world

Island Jewels

A glittering and spectacular event ..! Saturday 28th May 2016

International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS) 6.30 pm SCR 700/- per person

For more info tel: + 248 4 67 13 00


[ INSIDE Seychelles page 28 ]


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.