29.01.2010 

The tourism partnership set up between the government and the private sector in 2008 has proved to be a move in the right direction, Vice-President Joseph Belmont has said. 

Mr Belmont – who is also the minister responsible for tourism – said this during the 2010 Seychelles Tourism Marketing Meeting held on Wednesday at the International Conference Centre.

The forum was also addressed by President James Michel, Seychelles’ tourism marketing director Alain St Ange, Air Seychelles’ executive chairman Captain David Savy – also a member of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) – and the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association chairman Louis D’Offay.

Mr Belmont told the tourism representatives: “We have seen encouraging progress with regard to the industry, and your strong presence here today at this official launch of the 2010 Tourism Marketing Meeting shows your commitment to ensuring the industry continues to grow, and I am confident this support will continue in the crucial months ahead.”

He said with tourism still at the forefront of our economy, we all need to work together for the future.
 
“And I take this opportunity to reassure you, our tourism trade, that I will continue to drive the government policies that make for a vibrate tourism sector,” he added.

Mr Belmont said when we launched the Affordable Seychelles campaign at the ITB trade fair in Berlin last year and backed it up later at the World Travel Market in London, it was clear there was a renewed spirit of togetherness among the tourism trade partners.

“You rallied together in the face of the global economic storm to ensure our tourism sector would survive,” he said.

“I congratulate you for your drive to work together, and I especially thank our overseas tourism office managers. You are our face in the market place, and your dedication and hard work are what make your respective markets produce visitor arrival numbers for our country.

“Some of your offices are already being reinforced, and others, I believe, will hear of new positive announcements today.

“To the press, both local and foreign, who are gathered here today, I say thank you. Thank you for confirming to the world that Seychelles, relaunched as a serious tourism destination and one that has moved ahead of the times by handing over the management of its tourism industry to the industry itself, is committed to its tourism trade.”

During the meeting, Mr Michel urged the tourism industry to continue its teamwork so as to keep up the momentum gained through last year’s marketing campaigns and strong visitor arrival figures.

He also welcomed the new level of cooperation between Seychelles’ diplomatic missions abroad and tourism offices.

“The heightened cooperation between the STB and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is opening new avenues for our country overseas, maximising our resources and opening doors for our nationals to proudly represent our country,” he said.

“I will continue to champion Seychelles’ tourism credentials as part of our foreign policy.”

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, Mr St Ange named 14 Seychellois as the country’s new tourism ambassadors overseas.

Forrás: http://www.nation.sc/index.php?art=18391