Seychelles Tourism Speaks ….

The first edition of the newly launched electronic newsletter, E-News, by the Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism Association (SHTA):

MESSAGE FROM MR. LOUIS D'OFFAY

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY'S ASSOCIATION

THE LAUNCH of the E- News by the Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism Association is a major step in the consolidation of the Seychelles Tourism Industry. This Electronic News should help convey to the Seychelles Authorities, to the local Business Community and to all our Members and partners in Seychelles and overseas of our resolve, and of our determination to be seen to be working in close partnership with our facilitator, the Seychelles Tourist Board, and for us to be more in control of our own industry. We have always been convinced that the Hospitality & Tourism Industry, with the support of the country's Tourism Board, remained the best people to defend its industry, as well as, to promote its industry and its members.

This is why we have decided to launch this Electronic News to offer our Members, Full or Associate, the benefit of having news & updates to their property or business circulated to those that count. Our determination to work to promote and to protect our interests and the investments of our Members and Associate Members will remain one of our priorities. The Seychelles Tourism Industry Speaks E-News will be widely distributed locally and to the four corners of the world. It will, initially, be a monthly publication where our messages will be passed on, our new developments will be promoted, our anxiety will be tabled and in so doing, our Industry and the Seychelles Economy will be protected. I am proud to be the Chairman of our Association at this period when our Industry's Body is being consolidated.

We know that so much had been done by all our previous Executive Committees to take us to where we are today, and we want to use this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support and encouragement. We also want to thank our facilitators, the Office of the Vice President and the Seychelles Tourist Board for their dedication to the success of our Industry.

Louis D'Offay

Chairman

(Louis D'Offay is the Managing Director of the L'Archipel Hotel on Praslin Island)

 

Editorial

Today's issue of the Seychelles Tourism E-News is set to be the start of a new era in the development and consolidation of the Country's Tourism Industry. The tourism industry goes along with the trends and travel habits that are changing all over the world, but we all need to take note of the new challenges and react swiftly to current trends. In order for Seychelles to compete, the industry will need to continuously address pertinent issues and all players should learn to accept that nothing said is meant as personal attacks. Working in unity, and as real partners will assist in consolidating the industry. Partners must meet, and partners must discuss in frank and open working sessions, with the industry's survival, as their main focus. Partners must all agree that they are together for the one cause, that is, to protect and to defend their industry.

The country cannot afford to have players that are in denial that problems and difficulties exist, because that will stop us re-doubling our efforts to achieve another successful year. This E-News confirms the taking over of another 'link of the chain' in the affairs of the industry, and it is a big leap forward. The Industry's Association will now have the responsibility to maintain that the E-News is regular and that it remains interesting and informative. We must not be scared to state what is happening especially if it can make a difference in safeguarding our industry, our environment and our economy. We will remain truthful to our industry, and we remain conscious that what we say will be heard, not only in Seychelles, but right across the world. This is why we shall remain the serious mouthpiece of our Tourism Industry in our work to defend and protect the interests of all our Members. We ask all of you getting this first issue to circulate it to all your Industry Colleagues and to your Work Associates, and to email us on sha@seychelles.net the email addresses of all those you feel would want to also receive a copy of the Seychelles Tourism Industry's E-News. It is free, so help us spread our message for the good of our Tourism Industry and for the good of Seychelles.

In the March Issue of the E-News we will also carry a 'Position Vacant' Section and Industry Players wishing to use this facility are invited to pass on the information about Management positions that they have available. Recruitment Agencies Worldwide have also been placed on our mailing list. The Industry's First General Meeting dominates this issue of the E-News. A successful meeting it was and the large number of industry players who attended demonstrate the importance our industry carries.

The support from the Government was also remarkable with the PS of Finance, PS of Employment and the C.E.O. & Chairman of the Seychelles Tourist Board having been personally present. The Vice President, Mr. Joseph Belmont was unfortunately not able to accept our invitation, but he was represented by the Special Adviser in his Office, Ambassador Marc Marengo. On the political front, Mr. Loveth Legaie from the SPPF represented the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, Hon Marie-Louise Potter, and the Opposition was represented by Hon Wavel Ramkalawan, the Leader of the Opposition. Following the meeting, the Tourism Industry Association's Executive Committee met with Mr. Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the Chairman & C.E.O. of the Seychelles Tourist Board, to review points made at the Industry's First General Meeting and to discuss concerns of the Board. Our E-News can confirm that a positive 'way forward', between the Industry's Association and its main facilitator, the Seychelles Tourist Board, has been mapped out.

Alain St.Ange

Editor

March 14, 2008
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles