The Subios festival has the important role of educating us about what our surrounding seas have to offer and also raise awareness of the extreme fragility of our marine ecosystems.

  
Mr Faure addressing guests at the official opening of the festival on Friday evening

Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) chairman Barry Faure said this as he officially opened this year’s Subios festival at Beau Vallon on Friday evening.

An event held since 1989, the festival is considered a forum for showcasing the many aspects of Seychelles’ unique marine heritage, not only to our visitors by the way it hosts various activities, but also to the local population and in particular the schoolchildren.

Addressing those who had gathered at the beach site, Mr Faure said this year’s theme -- Seychelles, seas of a thousand species -- is fitting.

“In this year of biodiversity, such a theme is indeed fitting, echoing the fact that Seychelles’ waters are home to a dizzying diversity of marine life forms and to a number of dramatic contrasts between the underwater experiences it offers to divers, both experienced and novice,” he said.

He added that in a world of crowded diving boats and hectic diving schedules, the Seychelles diving experience remains wonderfully unprocessed  a place where there is always time to enjoy diving to the full, as well as the many value-added activities, which make diving in Seychelles special and sets us apart as a dive destination.

“I am proud to be part of this unique celebration of our seas that continues to charm, entertain and inform us about our wonderful world beneath the waves,” he said.

The STB’s chief executive Alain St Ange thanked all the partners who had made this year’s event possible, and welcomed everyone, especially some guests from the Commonwealth.

“Once again, that special time of year has come around when we honour out seas, their many extraordinary occupants and the wonderful marine heritage of our nation,” he said.

“As we move to penetrate new markets, diving remains a niche of great appeal and an important ingredient of Seychelles’ activity-based tourism that we hope to expand upon in the months and years ahead.”

Meanwhile the festival was officially closed yesterday evening with the launch of the poster and theme for next year’s event.

 

Forrás: http://www.nation.sc/