President’s invitation at China tourism seminar:
19.10.2009
Visit Seychelles and share in our natural beauty!
Following his official visit to South Korea, President James Michel stopped over in Beijing to launch the first Seychelles Tourism Seminar held in the People’s Republic of China.
During his one-day visit on Friday, he addressed an audience of some 200 people representing major Chinese and Seychellois tour operators, travel agencies and journalists gathered for the seminar.
“You will discover innovative products and unparalleled experiences. In fact, no verbal description can do justice to the real experience of visiting Seychelles,” said Mr Michel in his keynote address.
“If you have ever visited already, then you will know what I mean when I mention the feeling of watching the sunset on a pristine beach. This is when we say Sesel sa! This is Seychelles – that indescribable feeling of knowing you are in a place which is unique on earth.”
Mr Michel told the Chinese tourism trade about Seychelles’ efforts to preserve the country’s natural beauty, not only for itself but for the benefit of humanity. He invited Chinese travellers to come to Seychelles to share this beauty together with the Seychellois people.
He also saluted the efforts of the Chinese government to promote environmental awareness and green technologies in combination with tourism growth.
“Enhancing links between our two countries in the field of tourism will further help to foster the understanding of our environment and how, as two peoples developing in tandem, we can jointly contribute to protect it,” said Mr Michel.
He commented on the airline connection between Seychelles and China, saying he is confident that the traffic loads from China will make direct flights viable in the near future.
“Air Seychelles is ready to move in this direction as soon as necessary,” he said.
“If, on the other hand, there are Chinese companies ready to work with us to make such flights possible, we would welcome them immediately. We would also recommend exploring the possibility of charter flights to stimulate the market.”
The President witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Beijing Tourism Administration. The agreement was signed by STB chairman Maurice Loustau-Lalanne and Zhang Huiguang, director of the BTA.
The tourism seminar was held at the Maya Island Hotel in Beijing and was organised by the Seychelles embassy in Beijing in collaboration with the STB.
At the end of his visit, Mr Michel commended the Seychelles tourism trade on the spirit of partnership and cooperation that is leading the Seychelles brand to constantly search for new markets and new opportunities.
“This seminar is symbolic of the spirit of Koste Seselwa, where the government and the private sector come together to promote our beautiful islands,” he said.
The President returns to Seychelles next week following his official visits to the Unesco conference in Paris, to South Korea and China.