A mysteriousJanuary 2017 meeting in the Seychelles between a close associate of President Donald Trump and a Russian banker with alleged ties to Vladimir Putin has come under renewed scrutiny this week.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has been gathering evidence about the rendezvous, which took place less than two weeks before Trumps inauguration. Mueller is reportedly looking to see if the meeting was meant to set up a secret back channel between Trump and Putin, the Russian president. George Nader, an adviser to the United Arab Emirates who was at the meeting, has been cooperating with Muellers probe, and it appears his testimony could help unlock several major questions about the affair.

Heres what you should know about the Seychelles meeting.

Why was there a secret meeting in the Seychelles?

The UAE arranged the meeting in the Seychelles Islands in January 2017, just days before Trump assumed office, The Washington Post first reported last April. The location may have been chosen for its relative discretion.

The Seychelles is the kind of place where you can have a good time away from the eyes of the media, the countrys secretary of state for foreign affairs told the Post at the time.

Erik Prince, a longtime supporter of Trumps campaign and the founder of the Blackwater private security firm, met with a Russian official linked to Putin, although Prince has described the meeting as an unplanned chance encounter.

Its not clear what Prince and the official talked about. But according to The New York Times, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, eventual national security adviser Michael Flynn and then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak discussed the possibility ofsetting up the communications channelin a December 2016 meeting.

The Washington Postalso received an anonymous letter claiming that Kushner, Kislyak and Flynn talked about arranging a meeting between a representative of Trump and a Russian contact in an unidentified third country. The Posts Adam Entous told MSNBC that the letter said Flynn was deemed too high-profile to do the trip.

Kushner has denied that the request took place.

Who else was there?

Prince met with Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian banker who manages a government-controlled wealth fund and is also thought to be close to Putin.

The meeting was set up by the UAE and the countrys de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Nader served as a representative for the Middle Eastern nation and had met Prince before, serving as a consultant for Blackwater.

Prince has said he went to the Seychelles as a private businessman, and has denied the original report by the Post. He told the House Intelligence Committee in November that he had no plans to meet with Dmitriev, but Emirati officials convinced him to go to the bar at the hotel he was staying in to have a drink.

One of the entourage says, Hey, by the way, theres this Russian guy that weve dealt with in the past, Prince told lawmakers. Hes here also to see someone from the Emirati delegation. And you should meet him, hed be an interesting guy for you to know, since youre doing a lot in the oil and gas and mineral space.

He claimed they only spoke about oil prices and how much the UAE wished for resumption of normal trade relations with the USA.

What is Mueller investigating?

Nader has been cooperating with Muellers probe since mid-January and recently gave testimony about his knowledge of the meeting in front of a grand jury, according to a report in the Times this week. He allegedly served as a representative of the crown prince, and the Times notes that Emirati officials believed Prince was serving as a representative of the Trump transition team and Dmitriev as an envoy from the Kremlin.

In an earlier story, the Times noted that Mueller has widened the scope of his probe and is also investigating whether the Emiratis were attempting to buy influence with Trump.

Naders recent testimony could contradict Princes statements over the past year and shed light on the true reasons for the meeting.

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Here's What You Should Know About That Secret Seychelles ...

The flag of Seychelles was adopted on January 8, 1996.[1] The current flag is the third used by the country since its independence from Britain on June 29, 1976.[2] The colours used in the current flag are the official colours of two of the nation's major political partiesSeychelles People's United Party and the Seychelles Democratic Party.

The flag consists of five different coloured bands (green, white, red, yellow and blue) starting from one end and diverging towards the other end.[3][4] The oblique bands symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future. The colour blue depicts the sky and the sea that surrounds the Seychelles. Yellow is for the sun which gives light and life, red symbolizes the people and their determination to work for the future in unity and love, while the white band represents social justice and harmony. The green depicts the land and natural environment.[3][5]

The original flag was adopted after independence on June 29, 1976. It had alternating blue and red triangles. Coincidentally the flag was almost identical to the Australian United Steam Navigation Company's flag.[5] In 1977, when president James Mancham was overthrown by France-Albert Ren, the old flag was abolished and the red, white and green flag based on the flag of the Seychelles People's United Party came into use, which had a district wavy white stripe. The only significant difference between the national flag and SPUP's flag was the depiction of the sun in the party's flag which was not used in the country's flag. When the party lost the majority in the elections, other parties demanded a change in the flag which led to a parliamentary approval of a new proposed design.[5]

Flag of Seychelles from 1961-1976-badge designed by Mrs. Alec McEwen of Toronto, Canada

Governor's flag 1903-1961

Governor's flag 1961-1976

Used from 1996, the national flag defaced with the Coat of arms on the upper right corner[3]

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Flag of Seychelles - Wikipedia

The Republic of Seychelles comprises 115 islands occupying a land area of 455 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 km in the western Indian Ocean. It represents an archipelago of legendary beauty that extends from between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and which lies between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa. Of these 115 islands, 41 constitute the oldest mid-oceanic granite islands on earth while a further 74 form the low-lying coral atolls and reef islands of the Outer Islands.

The granitic islands of the Seychelles archipelago cluster around the main island of Mah, home to the international airport and the capital, Victoria, and its neighbouring islands of Praslin and La Digue. Together, these Inner Islands form the cultural and economic hub of the nation and contain the majority of Seychelles' tourism facilities as well as its most stunning beaches.

This section provides comprehensive information about the geography, climate, history, society, government, people, language, religion, culture, cuisine, recipes, arts, architecture, folklore, flora and fauna of Seychelles, and the 6 island groups that, together, make up Seychelles' Inner and Outer Islands

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Discover - Seychelles

One of the worlds most far flung destinations, nestled in the Indian Ocean, the island of Praslin is the launch point for a myriad of activities and home to natural wonders such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valle de Mai, and Anse Lazio. Rated as one of the best beaches in the world, Anze Lazio is located just minutes from Raffles Seychelles.

Raffles Seychelles features eighty-six villas, some of the most spacious in the Seychelles. Each villa offers a private plunge pool and outdoor pavilion to soak up breathtaking views of the opal-hued ocean, white sandy beach and lush green hills. This is the perfect destination for couples to celebrate their one-of-a-kind moment, be it an oceanfront wedding or an anniversary celebration.

Dining at Raffles Seychelles combines the best of Seychellois culture and cuisine with dishes from around the world, and Raffles Spa, located steps away from the coastline of Anse Takamaka, offers ocean views from its treatment pavilions.

With a warm tropical climate, Praslin and its nearby islands enjoy a microclimate all of their very own, with temperatures between a consistent 24-32C (74 -90 Fahrenheit) year round.

Soar over the stunning islands and touch down on Praslin in true aviator style with a scenic 15-minute plane ride, departing every hour from the main island of Mah, or take a catamaran ferry across the turquoise blue waters for a more leisurely pace.

An oasis of laidback luxury, Raffles Seychelles instills a sense of wellbeing and creates an atmosphere of blissful relaxation, ideal for the paradise seeker.

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Seychelles Resort - Praslin Luxury Hotel - Raffles Seychelles

Welcome To Seychelles Day Spa in Palmetto

We invite you to step into a tranquil oasis dedicated to your personal well-being. We offer specialty spa treatments for your face, body, hands, feet and hair, catering to both male and female guests.

Seychelles is a day spa like no other in Palmetto FL. Take your time and explore this great website to help you learn about us and discover the all the spa experiences we offer ( Hair Design, Facial Specialties, Massage Therapies, Nail Treatments, Special Occasions).We have selected a team of experts to help you customize ideal programs for you so you can look and feel your best.

Visit us for an hour or a day as we invite you to unwind in an island influenced environment Seychelles is a place that will leave you feeling truly relaxed, revitalized and refreshed.

To reserve a consultation or should you have additional questions feel free to contact us Spa@SeychellesSpa.com

Pampering Hours:

Tuesdays & Thursdays:9am - 7pm Wednesdays:9am - 4pm Fridays:9am - 5pm Saturdays: 9am - 4pmClosed Monday and SundayAfter hours by appointment

Gift certificates are always available online or in Spa.

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Seychelles Spa - Palmetto, Fl : Spa

Located in the continent of Africa, Seychelles covers 455 square kilometers of land, making it the 203rd largest nation in terms of land area.

Seychelles became an independent state in 1976, after gaining its sovereignty from The United Kingdom. The population of Seychelles is 90,024 (2012) and the nation has a density of 198 people per square kilometer.

The currency of Seychelles is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR). As well, the people of Seychelles are refered to as Seychellois.

The dialing code for the country is 248 and the top level internet domain for Seychellois sites is .sc.

Seychelles does not share land borders with any countries.

To learn more, visit our detailed Seychelles section.

Victoria is the capital city of Seychelles. It has a population of 22,881, and is located on a latitue of -4.62 and longitude of 55.45.

Victoria is also the political center of Seychelles, which is considered a Republic, and home to its Executive head of state.

This page was last updated on October 2, 2015.

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Where is Seychelles? / Where is Seychelles Located in The ...

Victoria is the capital city of Seychelles and is situated on the north-eastern side of Mah island, the archipelago's main island. The city was first established as the seat of the British colonial government. In 2010, the population of Greater Victoria (including the suburbs) was 26,450 out of the country's total population of 90,945.[2]

The principal exports of Victoria are vanilla, coconuts, coconut oil, fish and guano.[3]

Attractions in the city include a clocktower modelled on that of Vauxhall Clock Tower in London, England,[3][4] the Courthouse, the Victoria Botanical Gardens, the Victoria National Museum of History, the Victoria Natural History Museum and the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market.[3] Victoria Market and the brightly coloured fish and fruit markets are the local hotspot for the Seychellois people. Also nearby is the gallery of local artist Georges Camille.

The city is home to the national stadium, the International School Seychelles and a polytechnic.

Victoria is served by Seychelles International Airport, completed in 1971.[3] The inner harbour lies immediately east of the town, where tuna fishing and canning forms a major local industry.[3] One of the largest bridges in Victoria was destroyed by tsunami waves from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[4]

The area that would become Victoria was originally settled in 1778 by French colonists after they claimed the island in 1756, but it was not until after the Treaty of Paris of 1814 was signed that the British formally established Victoria and gave it its modern name.[5][6]

Victoria proper is composed of parts of three Districts of Seychelles:

Greater Victoria encompasses these three, and five more of the 25 Districts of Seychelles as follows:

Victoria is twinned with:

Victoria features a tropical rainforest climate (Kppen climate classification Af) with high temperatures throughout the course of the year. The capital does have noticeably wetter and drier periods during the year, with June and July being its driest months and December through February being the city's wettest months. However, since in no month does the average monthly precipitation falls below 60mm in Victoria, the city does not have a true dry season month. This lack of a true dry season month is a primary reason why the climate falls under the tropical rainforest climate category. The capital averages about 2,000mm of precipitation annually. Although being very rainy, skies are usually clear to partly clear and completely cloudy days remain scarce throughout the year even during the rainiest months.

Coordinates: 43700S 552700E / 4.6167S 55.4500E / -4.6167; 55.4500

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Victoria, Seychelles - Wikipedia

Dive Courses in the Seychelles

Learn to dive or expand your diving knowledge with Blue Sea Divers. Chose from a range of certification courses from Open Water diving through becoming a Professional Diver. For absolute beginners, do not worry if you have no experience of diving, these courses will help you enjoy this new experience. Book an Intro Dive and discover the magnificent underwater world for the first time!If you are not able to stop diving after the first experience then you can become certified in the Seychelles.If you have little time? No problem! Choose the PADI Scuba Diver. In two days you will have completed half of the course Open Water and you will receive a certification that will allow you to dive with a PADI instructor all over the world. You can complete the other half of the PADI Open Water Diver at any PADI dive school in the world, at any time.Want go of the Full Diving Course ? Choose PADI OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE ; Once trained and certified, you will be able to plan and conduct dives on your own.Are you already a Diver but you wish to build confidence and expand your scuba skills through different Adventure Dives, book the Advanced Open Water Course and try out different specialities while gaining experience under the supervision of your PADI Instructor.Diving in Seychelles with Blue Sea Divers, we are here for your unforgettable experience.

Day 1:Boarding in Mah late morning. Anchorage for the night at Saint Anne Marine Park.Day 2:Visit of the Saint Anne Marine Park islands, a beautiful spot to do snorkelling. After lunch cruise to Cocos Island which is made of large rocks with strange regular stripes carved by the sea. Cocos Island forms a beautiful sight with a great harmony of shapes and colours. Under the sea, the vision is equally attractive with thousands of fishes. Unforgettable snorkelling.Anchorage in front of the picturesque harbour of La Digue. Day 3:Rent a bike at La Digue and visit this quiet and beautiful island. With its tracks winding under tall palm trees, houses with roofs of palm leaves, small coprah factories, fine white sandy beaches and large polished rocks, La Digue might be the most beautiful island in the Seychelles. No cars, only bicycles or carts drawn by oxen. Horse rides are also possible. Anchorage in La Digue harbour.Day 4: Visit of Cousin Island. Since 1968, the island has been a nature reserve and bird sanctuary with rare species and some giant tortoises. Lunch onboard. Afternoon in Praslin. Visit the Valle de Mai, a valley under UNESCO protection. A walk in the Valle is enchanting. The path wanders in the near obscurity created by the enormous palm leaves of Cocos de mer. The trunks are 40 m high and sway gently in the breeze, making a strange rustling sound as they rub against each other. Anchorage in Baie St. Anne.Day 5:Grande Soeur. Barbeque on the beach, one of the most beautiful in Seychelles. A 40 mBarbequeto discover the island, water sports, and relaxation. Anchorage in Curieuse or Anse Petite Cour for the night.Day 6:Curieuse. This island is part of the Marine National Park, more than a hundred tortoises live here. After lunch, Saint Pierre islet, a mass of rounded rocks crowned with a clump of tall palms swaying gently in the wind: typical and superb scenery of Seychelles photographed on countless occasions and printed a million times in tourism magazines! Excellent spot for snorkelling with magnificent underwater scenery. Anchorage for the night in Anse Volbert or Anse Lazio, Praslin. Day 7:Snorkelling, swimming and water sport activities on the beautiful beaches of Praslin. Return to Mah in the afternoon.Day 8: Disembarkation in Mah early morning.

This tour starts with a transfer to Baie Ste Anne jetty for the 2km crossing at 9amto the Special Nature Reserve of Cousin island. Your cruiser moors offshore and you are taken to the island on a reserve boat to prevent accidental introduction of pests to the island. It is highly recommended that youcome prepared to wrap your belongings in waterproof bags.A warden leads you on a tour of the island, with its abundance of species and habitats, from the coast with its protective mangroves, to the wetlands which attract dragonflies, moorhens, caecilans & Seychelles terrapins; on to the rejuvenated forest on the hill plateau which provides ideal nesting sites for large populations of shearwaters and bridled terns amongst its endemic trees - mapou, Indian mulberry and bwa sousouri. Endemic birds found on Cousin Island are the Magpie Robin, Sunbird , Fody, Blue Pigeon and the Warbler. The tour continues with a 30-minute boat ride to Curieuse Island, where a splendid BBQ lunch is served on the Catamaran. Curieuse island has a large population of giant tortoises, some can be seen next to the natural pond on the coast, whilst the majority range across the island freely and can sometimes be tracked by their vociferate calls of intimate congress. The tour ends with an hour's snorkelling off the tiny island of St. Pierre. For the uninitiated, the crew is on hand with lightweight snorkelling vests to ensure that no-one misses the chance to view the abundant marine life.General Pick-up Times from Hotels:Grand Anse: 08h00-08h20 // Baie Ste Anne: 08h00-08h30

Praslin, the second largest island in Seychelles, lies approximately 1 hour by boat from Mahe. Visitors will be able to visitthe Vallee-de-Mai, the only place on earth where the giant Coco-de-Mer nut grows in its natural state - a walk along thetended paths of this primeval forest, listening to the trill of the rare Black Parrot, transports one to the beginning of time;giving credence to the legends of this World Heritage Site being the original Garden of Eden. The tour includes a visit to thefamous Anse Lazio beach, before the 30-minute crossing to La Digue. Visitors to La Digue island will marvel at the timelessatmosphere, with the comforts of the 21st century blending smoothly with the tranquility of yesteryear, where life is livedmainly at the pace of the oxen. Transfer from the jetty is by pick-up truck to L'Union Estate for a tour of the copra sheds, thegiant land tortoises and the recently refurbished colonial plantation house, location of the film Goodbye Emmanuelle. Thetour of La Digue resumes by 'camion', an open-sided truck with canopy, stopping at Anse Source dArgent, one of the mostspectacular beaches in the world, allowing you ample time to photograph the impressive granite rock formations. This 11-hour tour, which sometimes starts on La Digue, is an attractive opportunity to visit the highlights of both islands in one-day.Full Day Praslin & La Digue Tour: Includes two-way transfer between Mahe/Praslin by Boat.

This is a fairly shady walk through the forest of the Morne Seychellois National Park. After dropping down into a valley there is a relatively steady climb of some 140 m (450 ft) up onto a huge expanse of granite rock.Copolia is 500 m above sea level and spectacular views of the east coast of Mahe and other granitic islands.Plants and animals unique to the Seychelles, including the insectivorous Pitcher Plants can be found in the higher sections of this trail. Return is by the same trail, as there is, as yet, no alternative route.The trail is graded as MEDIUM. Approximately 4 hours is required for the total walk (ie up and down). Allow extra time for picnicking and exploring at the top. Because most of the trail is through forest, this walk can be tackled at any time of the day, although the summit is very exposed to sun, wind and mist.

The diving centre is ideally located in the very heart of the action on the famous and beautiful sand stretched beach of Beau Vallon on Mah Island, Seychelles. A comfortable 10 minute ride from the stunning Bay Ternay Marine Reserve, and close access to the most beautiful dive sites around the island, our location, will leave you breathless.Book two dives in Beau Vallon to see the underwater world.

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Seychelles - Lonely Planet

The Seychelles national football team is controlled by the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF). SFF is a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The home turf of the team is the 10,000 capacity stadium, Stade Linit situated at Roche Caiman in the outskirts of Victoria, the capital of Seychelles.

Seychelles have never qualified for the finals of the African Nations Cup or the World Cup but they made their debut in qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations in 1986, losing to Mauritius.

Under Yugoslav coach Vojo Gardasevic, the Seychelles team made their debut in the World Cup qualifiers in 2001. Philip Zialor got the equaliser for Seychelles in a 11 draw against Namibia at Stade Linit. In the preliminary round return leg match, Seychelles lost 03.

In their second attempt to qualify, for the 2006 World Cup, Seychelles lost 04 at home to Zambia but played a 11 draw in the away match. Robert Suzette was the scorer of Seychelles goal in Lusaka. Seychelles biggest competitive win came against Zimbabwe in the African Nations Cup 2004 qualifiers. Goals by strikers Alpha Bald and Philip Zialor gave Seychelles a 21 win at Stade Linit against Zimbabwe captained by professional striker Peter Ndlovu. German coach Michael Nees was at the helm of the team at that time. Under Frenchman Dominique Bathenay, Seychelles also beat Eritrea 10 at Stade Linit by a goal by veteran Roddy Victor in the same qualifiers.

In 2011, Seychelles hosted the 2011 Indian Ocean Island Games and beat Mauritius in the finals, on penalties.

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Seychelles national football team - Wikipedia

Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa is paradise. It's home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises. Here are some facts you probably did not know about the country. 1: Bird Island houses the heaviest land tortoise named Esmeralda, weighing 303 kilograms.

2. The capital of Seychelles, Victoria, is the is the smallest in the world. Tourists can explore it within a day.

3: The native Coco de mer produces the heaviest (about 15kg) and largest seed in the world. The locals love it so much that there is literally one everywhere you look.

4: Breadfruit is very popular in Seychelles. It can be made into savoury or sweet dishes. Rumour has it that whoever eats it will return to Seychelles one day.

5: The Seychelles has some of the rarest endemic birds, including the bare-legged Scops-owl and greater painted-snipe.

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5 facts about Seychelles you probably did not know - Independent Online

2017-08-07 07:21

Tania Broughton, News24 Correspondent

Durban - The day a book about his life was sent to the printers, legendary Durban photographer Peter Duffy died.

Once a mercenary - who spent time in jail for his role in the failed 1981 Seychelles coup - his death while sitting on a bench outside a Durban shopping centre last week, could be considered somewhat of an anti-climax.

Before Duffy's death of a presumed heart attack, he had become a recluse - estranged from many, including his friend of more than 30 years, author and journalist Graham Linscott.

Linscott wrote the book Ricochets, the Life of mercenary soldier Peter Duffy after a series of interviews which took place in Linscott's home where Duffy was recuperating after a hip operation.

Duffy claimed he couldn't handle the stairs at his own home. True to Duffy's secretive style, no-one knew exactly where the house was, let alone had been there.

After signing a contract and co-operating with Linscott, he walked out of his house one day and said he wanted nothing more to do with the project.

"We didn't speak for three years. People said I should apologise to him. But there was nothing to apologise for. I didn't know what I had done wrong, if anything," Linscott said.

"But he was aware that the book was going to published and somehow got an advanced copy of it. I am told he showed it to several people who all told him he should be delighted with it. But now I will never know."

'Romp'

Linscott describes the book as a "romp" and not a serious book.

Because while it deals with some serious topics, it is told very much in Duffy's humorous and mischievous style.

"Linscott is the only man who understands my sense of humour," he used to say.

In the foreword, Linscott describes Duffy, who was born in Scotland into relative wealth, as an eccentric adventurer.

His was a coffee planter in Tanganyika, took up karate in Japan, acted as a film stunt man, and served as mercenary in the Congo, invading the Seychelles Islands and hijacking a plane to escape.

When he wanted a "quieter life" he took up news photography, working mainly for the Daily News and Sunday Tribune in Durban.

He loved eating out and cooking. In his later years he would be known to pitch up friend's houses armed with ingredients. Sometimes he would stay for weeks.

'Inner circle'

Up to his death, an "inner circle", including some of Durban's top restaurateurs remained loyal to him.

In a tribute posted on Facebook, former colleague Yogin Devan wrote: "I first met Peter Duffy when I joined the Sunday Tribune in 1980. Not too long thereafter he became involved in the hijacking saga.

"When he returned to the Tribune after serving his jail sentence, I worked with Duffy regularly. Some journalists frowned upon his antics as a mercenary and hijacker and gave him a wide berth.

"I preferred going on out-of-town assignments with Duffy - the boredom of long trips disappeared as he regaled me with stories about all his adventures.

"I also decided that Duffy could be handy when interviews became tricky - he had a black belt in karate.

"Duffy and I went on several exciting and dangerous missions into the then Transkei and Ciskei - and once got caught in the violence following a coup in Bisho.

"Duffy was most knowledgeable about gourmet cooking and alcoholic beverages. He bragged about cooking a good few last suppers when he was in Pretoria Central Prison. He recalled that one condemned prisoner's last meal request was scrambled eggs. Duffy was also a connoisseur of cocktails."

'What a read...'

Devan said in October 2016, he arranged a cordial meeting in Mumbai between Duffy and Captain Umesh Saxena, the pilot of the Air India plane that Duffy and his fellow mercenaries had hijacked.

"They shared their versions of the episode over beers and a meal. I once read through the manuscripts of his life story. What a read

"When I broke the news of Duffy's death to Capt Saxena this [Saturday] morning, he was shocked and saddened."

Ricochets will be officially launched on August 17 at Adams in Musgrave Centre, Durban.

24.com encourages commentary submitted via MyNews24. Contributions of 200 words or more will be considered for publication.

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Durban mercenary involved in Seychelles coup dies before book about his life is published - News24

Alain St. Ange was the former minister of tourism for the Republic the Seychelles. Seychelles lives and breathes tourism. St. Ange is now heard of his own Saint Ange Consultancy firm.

Dragged into dark clouds flying over Air Seychelles financial partner Etihad Airways, the national carrier Air Seychelles confirmed the discontinuation of its Victoria- Dusseldorf flight and a reduction of flights on its Paris run. This follows the suspension of its Durban route. The former minister Alain St. Ange worked hard to bring a new destination like Duesseldorf on board. His famous Carnival de Victoria attracted Duesseldorf Carnival officials and brought Seychelles on the tourism map in the largest outbound travel region in Germany.

Tour operators just got used and pitched to expand their reach to the Indian Ocean, when Air Seychelles abruptlypulled Duesseldorf from their network.

Alain says: Any loss of flights to a tourism destination is concerning, and more so when it touches key tourism source markets. Seychelles needs more than ever before to work in total unity to ensure that other airlines do not follow suit.

The remarkable success of our fragile tourism industry in recent years mustnot be taken for granted. Though we as Seychelloisbelieve that wehave the most stunning beaches and array of islands on the planet, every other similar touristic destination shares the same belief. This means that we are fishing from the same pond, and solelyrelying on our countrys beauty to fill up hotel beds year after year is an unrealistic expectation.

Visibility is integraland it alone remains the key to success. Visibility keeps tourism destinations relevant and

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Dark clouds over Air Seychelles: Former tourism minister concerned - eTurboNews

(CNN) The Maldives isn't the only spot for Indian Ocean indulgence.

The Seychelles -- a string of 115 tropical islands 1,000 miles east of Tanzania -- boasts some of the world's best beaches with a renowned collection of luxurious getaways.

It's long been a sun-drenched playground for the rich and famous, so there's no shortage of villa resorts with 24-hour butlers, private swimming holes, gourmet cuisine and spa treatments alongside arrestingly beautiful beaches.

From family-friendly resorts to hyperexclusive private islands, here's a guide to eight of the Seychelles' greatest escapes:

This private peninsula resort, based on the secluded and picturesque Anse Louis, is as exclusive as it gets on the mainland of Mah.

Only guests of the all-inclusive 30-villa retreat have access to its lush grounds, which includes a beach-level restaurant, swimming pool and bar as well as a stunning open-air Balinese spa.

Most clientele spend most of their stay in spacious thatched beach or hillside villas -- each with its own ocean-facing infinity pool, outdoor sunken tub and 24-hour butler/in-room dining service -- to make most use of MAIA's space for ultimate privacy and comfort.

North Island features three unspoilt beaches.

For ultra-luxury there's North Island, the Seychelles' preeminent private island where one night's stay can set you back more than $5,000.

The 11-villa butler-serviced island has hosted many an A-lister -- including the Clooneys, the Beckhams and most famously the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge -- plus other wealthy travelers who seek complete privacy in a "barefoot luxury" setting.

North Island features an intimate cliffside spa, three unspoilt beaches and a chef who cooks whatever you wish (In the mood for lobster? Octopus curry for lunch? No problem). Beyond the exclusive beaches and massive beachfront villas, the eco-conscious resort runs a lauded nature conservancy program, which has led Hawksbill and green turtles to nest once again on its pristine shores.

The Six Senses brand makes its splashy African debut with Zil Pasyon ("Passion Island" in Creole) in 2016, becoming the country's "it" resort of the moment. It's a private island sanctuary of 30 modern villas, each with a generous personal infinity pool and in-villa wine cellar.

"Butlers" are not a thing here; instead, designated Guest Experience Makers cater to guests' needs 24 hours a day. There are six restaurants and bars, including The Chef's Kitchen, an exclusive gourmet treat for up to six guests for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Activities include daily yoga, beachside cinema nights and outdoor spa treatments between two enormous boulders, and should guests have a bit of "private island fever," the more populous La Digue and Praslin islands are just a short boat ride away.

Four Seasons Seychelles' westward profile provides the best sunset views.

The Four Season Seychelles is based along the gorgeous Petite Anse beach in Mah, with 67 well-appointed villas scattered among a large, lush hill.

Many of the stilted villas along the jungle-covered slopes resemble treehouses -- only a lot more palatial -- with personal infinity pools, daybed pavilions, indoor and outdoor showers and ample outdoor space. Serious spa-goers will feel at home here, as quality treatments such as the Hilltop Fusion Massage -- blending Malaysian, Indian and European techniques -- are carried out in private pavilions among the resort's highest altitudes.

The resort's westward profile makes for brilliant sunset views, best enjoyed either on a villa's ocean-facing deck lounger or on the spa's breathtakingly placed rooftop, overlooking all of Petite Anse and onto the horizon.

Golf, gastronomy and gorgeous beaches define Constance Lemuria, a sprawled resort on Praslin's northwest tip.

It boasts the Seychelles' sole 18-hole championship-ready golf course, where you can channel your Tiger Woods in exotic environs; the famed 13th hole, located on a steep hill, offer splendid views of the jungle and Indian Ocean.

The newly refurbished resort sports over 100 suites and villas along Grande Anse Kerlan. Though this beach and Petite Anse Kerlan hug the resort's main area, it's worth the shuttle ride or 15-minute hike to visit Anse Georgette, one of the world's highest-rated beaches.

Dining options include modern international restaurant Diva, sleek buffet restaurant The Legend (with premium themed dinners), and The Nest's deck "on the rocks": a coveted, private dining space for two amongst boulders and stellar beach views.

Family-owned Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie is known as laid-back La Digue's swishest resort. The Asian-inspired getaway has 63 villas, including the recent introduction of eight Garden Suite Residences fitted in earthy elements such as stone and wood.

Its convenient location next to the La Passe village makes for a brief stroll to Anse Svre Beach or a brisk journey via bicycle -- complimentary for each guest -- to the world-famous Anse Source d'Argent.

There's a spa, two restaurants, a terrace-based bar and a spa, but The Pool Bar is the place to be, with its infinity edge leading towards breathtaking views of Praslin's peaks.

Raffles Praslin is only a stone's throw away from Anse Lazio, one of the best beaches on Earth.

Raffles Seychelles, based in the north along Anse Takamaka, is located minutes from Anse Lazio, one of the best beaches on Earth.

The resort sports 86 villas, each with a private plunge pool and an outdoor pavilion/dining area, and 24-hour butler service is available for the higher-end one- and two-bedroom villas.

All villas come equipped with easels and sketching paper, allowing guests to express their inner Monet or van Gogh with endless inspiration from the beach and ocean views.

Raffles Spa, purported to be the largest spa in the Seychelles, is a true standout which includes 12 treatment pavilions, a sauna and steam pool, a fitness studio and yoga and meditation classes along the beach.

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa isn't based on a private island, but it might as well be. There are only 200 inhabitants on the island on which it is based, Silhouette, which happens to be the Seychelles' third largest.

Villa options in this tropical getaway accommodate a wider scope of budgets than most others, ranging from the affordable King Garden Villas to the nearly 12,000 square feet Silhouette Estate, said to have the largest private pool in the Seychelles.

It remains a popular choice for families with a state-of-the-art Kids' Club and babysitting services, and it also offers plenty for the active traveler, including a PADI diving center and varied guided hike excursions around the island's lush, virgin rainforests.

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8 of the best resorts in the Seychelles - CNN

Seychelles reports find of possible plane debris, tells Malaysia

The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) said scientists researching birds and turtles had found the debris washed up on Farqhar.

Malaysians take part in a candle-light vigil to mark the one-month anniversary of the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 flight. Picture: AFP.

VICTORIA Seychelles reported on Thursday the discovery of two pieces of debris that seemed to be from an aircraft and said it had notified Malaysia, whose Flight MH370 vanished in 2014 with 239 people aboard.

The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) said scientists researching birds and turtles had found the debris washed up on Farqhar, one of the islands that make up the tropical Indian Ocean nation.

The direction of flow of the sea currents make it likely that the (debris) came from the general direction where other parts (of MH370) have been found in Indian Ocean countries, a senior SCAA official who asked not to be named told Reuters.

Michael Payet, a spokesman for the state agency that manages all Seychelles islands, said the largest of the two bits of debris was about 120 cm long and 30 cm (one foot) wide and appeared to be made of aluminium and carbon fibre.

It could be part of an engine cover, he said.

The SCAA was in contact with Malaysian authorities, who have shown an interest, and with whom we expect to work closely, the aviation authority said in a statement.

Few traces of the Boeing 777 airliner have turned up over more than three years of searching since it disappeared in March 2014 with 239 passengers and crew aboard soon after take-off from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, bound for Beijing.

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Seychelles reports find of possible plane debris, tells Malaysia - Eyewitness News

Bigger, better, taller and more expensive is becoming less of a trend as top tourism destinations globally are shifting focus to the preservation and conservation of their tourism heritage and natural resources.

In many ways, the Seychelles has long since been at the forefront in protecting its environment against the possible adverse effects that can come as a result of tourism. Despite its small size, the island destination has actively been working to manage its tourism development with due regards to the environment. From reducing, reusing and the recycling of waste materials to actively promoting sustainable living to both residents and visitors, Seychelles Government and Environmental NGOs are doing its share to protect the environment.

Probably one of the most fascinating developments, although not directly linked to conservation, is that, apart from 18 pre-approved hotel developments, the Seychelles government has banned large hotel developments indefinitely in what has been coined the moratorium on large hotel developments.

While the idea behind the moratorium was not to halt the development of all projects completely, it was implemented to encourage the construction of smaller locally owned resorts, reflecting Seychelles Creole architecture and culture. Perhaps a better understanding of this is that the Seychellois have a monopoly on hotels and resorts of up to 15 rooms or villas with this segment strictly reserved for local investors into the hospitality industry. Thus, putting the business back in Seychellois hands.

However, with more than half of the Seychelles land area and also a large section of the ocean surrounding the islands set aside for conservation, the moratorium has also proven to be instrumental in preserving the natural veracity of many of the untouched and natural areas and resources the Seychelles has to offer.

Despite growing tourism numbers, the moratorium also hinders the possibility that the Seychelles will become and overdeveloped mass tourism destination, leaving future visitors with an authentic and true island destination.

Although the hotel project was initially part of the 18 new tourism establishments excluded from the moratorium on the construction of large hotels, the Citizens Initiative took every effort to ensure public concern was raised on the project.

An earlier biodiversity assessment of the Grand Police showed that this specific location is considered an international key biodiversity area (KBA). It is flanked by two other key diversity areas on the hills of the Collines du Sud which are currently being merged. It is also a freshwater wetland and home to two species of endemic, critically endangered and nationally protected terrapins Torti Soupap as well as being a potential foraging area for sheath tail bats.

The group launched a comprehensive campaign on social media to gather public opinion to strengthen its cause and also organised a march and launched a petition, whereby over 7,500 signatures were acquired and submitted to the head of state. After meeting with Seychelles President Danny Faure, the acquired evidence and petition was submitted to cabinet ministers who agreed that steps are taken to have the section of land returned to the government and be declared a protected area.

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#CSIMonth: Why the Seychelles' ban on large hotel developments is a good thing - Bizcommunity.com

Thanks to climate change, the ocean is no longer a friend of Seychelles. But can its reefs offer this embattled nation a lifeline?

The meteorological event, a combination of ocean heat redistribution and wind reversal in the Pacific, occurs approximately every two to seven years and has far-reaching consequences. The last El Nino in 2016 was similarly dreadful, reducing coral coverage on Seychelles' reefs from 50% to 5%, say local researchers.

El Nino is a phenomenon: a devastating, uncontrollable exception to the norm. With carefully managed conservation, Seychelles can survive its wild fluctuations. But not if global warming continues. As baseline temperatures creep up, the ecosystem loses its ability to recover. Eventually El Nino could prove terminal.

"People that don't believe in climate change, maybe they need to come to the Seychelles," says Lisa Laporte Booyse, who runs a guesthouse on the southeast tip of Mahe, the largest island in the chain.

"We can show them photos of things that were very different before ... coastal erosion. We can see flooding that we never experienced, the higher temperatures that we've never experienced before. The season(al) changes that have had an effect."

"Before, we literally could tell you the day that our rainy season would start. Now, we have droughts that we never experienced before."

Bleached coral close to the coast. Coral coverage dropped from 50% to 5% on reefs in 2016.

So much of the affairs on land are dictated by the health of the biosphere in the water.

When it comes to coastal erosion, reefs are key, acting as a wave breaker protecting the shoreline, explains Savi Leblond, project leader at the Cerf Island Conservation Program, 2.5 miles off the coast of Mahe. Without strong reefs, the land is at the mercy of the ocean. At present, they are delicately poised.

"Our reefs here have been under several threats -- natural and anthropogenic," Leblond says.

Sea surface temperature rises cause "stress" to corals, which release an algae zooxanthellae, which makes up "90% of its food source, as well as its color." The result is bleaching and depleted nourishment. Bleaching is reversible, but if waters remain too warm for too long, coral starves and dies.

A turtle swims among bleached coral in Seychelles.

Either of these eventualities would be a catastrophe for Seychelles' biosphere -- above and below water.

"When corals die off, unfortunately we die off," surmises Leblond. "Everything relies on coral reefs."

"It was the fishermen who said it's not like it was before," recalls Booyse.

Seychellois look to the sea for sustenance; they're custodians of over 500,000 square miles of ocean, and 15% of the population are engaged in fishing and fishing-related activities. But it's already proving harder for fisherman like Augustin Desaubin and others to eek out a living.

As a boy Desaubin remembers "the corals were beautiful; plenty of coral inside the reef, plenty of fish," he adds. "Now we can see only seaweed."

"When I was young, octopus was abundant. I (would) dive for about one hour, you'd have five or six octopus and go home." Now approaching 50, Desaubin says there are days when he returns empty-handed.

"Corals cover less than 0.1% of the world's surface area but they house over 25% of the world's biodiversity," Leblond explains.

"We, the People of Seychelles, grateful to Almighty God that we inhabit one of the most beautiful countries in the world; ever mindful of the uniqueness and fragility of Seychelles... declar(e) our unswaying commitment... (to) help preserve a safe, healthy and functioning environment for ourselves and for posterity."

Alongside government initiatives, citizens are taking action.

"We grow corals in a nursery and use these nursery-grown corals to rehabilitate the reef," explains marine scientist Jude Bijoux. Due to climate change, only corals most resilient to warm temperatures are selected, he adds.

The time-consuming process involves transferring coral fragments from one of five artificial reefs to rope lines, then to substrate or natural rock on the sea floor. It's a six to 12-month effort requiring epoxy resin and regular rope cleaning with a toothbrush.

"It's a bit weird," says Leblond, but their methods give coral "the best chance they have."

Rope-grown corals are tended to as part of reef rehabilitation.

Inspired by initiatives on Cerf, Booyse started the Anse Forbans Community Conservation Program, a group of neighbors setting up a coral nursery of their own.

"(It) won't be an immediate fix," Booyse says. "We're looking at a five-year lifespan to get the corals healthy, growing again and plant them back."

Even among one of the greenest societies in the world, ownership and responsibility lie at the heart of Booyse's motives. "My own generation, and generations before, have made a big impact on the environment," she says. "I have to try and lead and make a difference."

"When you're fighting the cause you've just got to go and keep going."

Seychellois know that in the fight against climate change, no half-measures will do. Their livelihoods and homes depend on it.

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'When corals die off, we die off' - CNN

Seychelles has been named the top island destination in Africa and the Middle East in the Travel + Leisures 2017 Worlds Best Awards. Its the second year in a row that Seychelles is rated in the top spot in this category by Travel + Leisure.

Results of the 22nd travel + leisures worlds best awards were revealed on Tuesday 11th July. This is based on an annual survey, which allows readers of the New York-based travel magazine to rate their travel experiences around the globe. Readers get to share their opinions on top hotels, islands, cities, airlines, cruise lines, spas, among others.

The best islands by region are rated on a number of characteristics including their natural attractions, beaches, activities & sights, restaurants, food, people & friendliness and value. Their romantic appeal also feature as an optional criteria. For each characteristic, respondents are asked to give a rating based on a five-point scale of excellence.

Boasting lush tropical vegetation, powder-white beaches and clear turquoise waters, Seychelles a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean came out on top of the readers list when it comes to the Africa & Middle East region. Mauritius has been voted the second-best island destination and Madagascar is third.

Announcing Seychelles number 1 position, Travel + Leisure quoted one readers description of the islands as saying: It is like you are in the Garden of Eden.

Commenting on the award, the Seychelles Tourism Boards Regional Director for Africa & the Americas, David Germain said: Achieving the distinction of Top Island in Africa and the Middle East for the second year in a row is a tremendous honor for the Seychelles, recognizing that the region has much to offer in terms of world-class island experiences.

Mr. Germain noted that that the Seychelles Tourism Board continues to build a solid trade relations platform with the USA and Canadian outbound tour operators, travel agents and other trade partners in North America. He said that winning the award for a second consecutive year, is evidence that the STBs marketing strategy in North America is working.

The Award helps to garner recognition, and provides a significant amount of visibility for our islands in North America and the region. The STB will continue to share and present the culture and tourism attributes of Seychelles to both the trade and consumers in the various North American cities, with the aim of increasing tourists arrival to Seychelles from this part of the world, said Mr. Germain.

Visitor arrivals from the Americas to the Seychelles has increased by 69 percent from January to June.

Mr. Germain will be receiving the award for Seychelles, at a ceremony which will bring all winners together in New York City on July 26. The award ceremony will be hosted by the Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure, Nathan Lump.

Commenting on the choices of the readers this year, Mr. Lump said: Whats clear to me this year is how much they are drawn to experiences that arent just enjoyable but provide something richer cultural immersion, mental and physical well-being, a true sense of adventure.

Its not easy to satisfy this group, but the destinations, hotels and companies that are doing it know that todays traveler cares about a lot more than creature comforts, he added.

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Seychelles named top island destination in Africa & Middle East - eTurboNews

Seychelles has been enjoying unprecedented exposure on South African TV in the last three months. Besides the much publicized 7th season of Tropika Islands of Treasure filmed in Seychelles and aired on SABC 3 for 12 consecutive weeks the island destination is being featured in several other shows.

Dan Nicoll, the host of a celebrity talk show aired on SuperSport 1, made his debut with a rod in the waters of Alphonse in early June, showcasing the unique fly fishing adventure offered on the island by experienced fisherman Keith Rose-Innes and his team.

The Dan Nicoll Show, which hosts a range of sports and lifestyle celebrities from South Africa and beyond showcased a feature entitled Fishing Paradise in Seychelles which portrayed Alphonse not only as a leisure-oriented island, but also one which offers a range of activities to its guests. Besides fly-fishing, Alphonse one of the outlying islands of the Seychelles archipelago boasting kilometers of pristine tropical shorelines, lagoons and sea flats also offers diving, snorkeling, pedal skis, pedal boats and windsurfing.

After a week of fishing in both deep waters and on the flats, Nicoll described his first fly fishing experience as one he would never forget, adding that it has certainly given me plenty of reasons to come back.

Another TV personality, Gerrie Pretorius also visited the Seychelles for his Afrikaans Show, Leef Jou Reis (Live Your Journey).

He was able to explore the underwater world of the Seychelles while scuba diving and snorkeling at Le Meridien Fishermans Cove.

Once again, Seychelles came across as one of the most desirable destinations, offering some of the best snorkeling sites in the Indian Ocean. The tropical climate all-year round and unspoiled nature is something which has been proven to appeal to any potential visitor.

Its not only the Seychelles natural beauty that has caught the attention of South African media, as the islands conservation efforts have also been recognized. The 50/50 environmental program me on SABC 2 has so far broadcasted two episodes on Seychelles.

The first episode earlier in June featured the country as a pioneer in the field of conservation and how it is implementing the nationwide ban on common plastic items. The ban officially went into effect on 1st of July, meaning people will have to use replace their plastic bags, plates, or Styrofoam takeaway boxes with more environmentally-friendly alternatives. Government agencies are being joined by several non-governmental organizations to spearhead the campaign to see a more sustainable Seychelles.

Episode 12 aired on the last Sunday of June showcased how conservationists in Seychelles are utilizing their green fingers to save ocean reefs. The presenter Bertus Louw joined staff of Nature Seychelles for some underwater coral gardening.

Nature Seychelles a local non-governmental organization has developed a successful coral gardening technique which is helping to restore coral reefs affected by bleaching events in the Seychelles waters.

Both episodes have commended Seychelles for its excellent efforts in conservation.

It is to be noted that the exposure on South African TV falls in line with the STBs drive to reach South African consumers on a much broader scale. All programs featuring Seychelles had the added benefit of being broadcast during prime-time slots in the evenings, which means they reached maximum viewers.

The Tropika series is already believed to have won Seychelles over 10 million Rand-worth of exposure on the South African market.

Commenting on the ongoing and extensive coverage of the islands on national TV in South Africa, the Director of the Seychelles Tourism Boards office in South Africa, Lena Hoareau said that Seychelles was enjoying great mileage from the ongoing exposure.

We have intensified our marketing activities this year for both trade and consumer, which means that while we are equipping the trade with more knowledge on the destination through training and workshops, which will help them turn over more sales to Seychelles, South African consumers are also gaining a better understanding and insight into the destination through the awareness created by the different TV programs, she said.

Mrs. Hoareau added that there has been a notable increase in inquiries about the Seychelles, which serves as proof that these programs are helping to boost the destinations profile on the market.

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Greater destination awareness as Seychelles draws extensive exposure on South African TV - eTurboNews

GETTY

1. The Republic of Seychelles comprises 115 islands, mostly uninhabited, in the Indian Ocean.

2. Seychelles is the only United Nations member whose name has no letters in common with Britain.

3. The islands were mainly used by pirates until the French took control in the 1750s. They were then named after Jean Moreau de Schelles, Minister of Finance under Louis XV.

4. Seychelles has a higher proportion of its population in jail than any other country.

5. Bird Island in the Seychelles is home to Esmeralda, the worlds heaviest tortoise.

6. Seychelles is also home to the worlds largest land crab, the 3ft-long coconut crab.

GETTY

7. The extremely rare jellyfish tree, whose fruits look like jellyfish, is found on the island of Mah.

8. One delicacy of Seychellois cuisine is shark chutney, made of mashed, boiled shark with onions, spices and fruit juices.

9. Tinned tuna accounts for 50 per cent of the total exports of Seychelles.

10. A recent survey reported that more than half of Seychelles women agreed with the statement: If a man beats a woman it shows that he loves her.

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Top ten facts about Seychelles - Express.co.uk

Ovidy Karuru

Sikhumbuzo Moyo at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, South Africa Zimbabwe 6 0 Seychelles

YOUNG Prince Dube opened his Zimbabwe international account with a goal and an assist in a evening in which the two captains Ovidy Karuru and Ocean Mushure led from the front as the Warriors completely dismantled poor Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace yesterday.

The 6-0 demolition ensured the Warriors proceed to the quarterfinals of the Cosafa Castle Cup to meet Swaziland at the same venue on Sunday on a superior goal difference to Madagascar who beat Mozambique 4-1 in the other Group B match played at Maruleng Stadium. Co-captain Karuru opened the floodgates in the 24th minute after a flick over by Dube and a minute later, the AmaZulu player made it 2-0, this time Mitchele Katsvairo turning the provider.

Zimbabwe kept on charging in search of goals with Karuru, who deservedly won the Man of the Match award, always a thorn in the flesh for Seychelles every time he was in possession while Dube who played as a lone striker, was also full of energy.

The Warriors, who finished their group without conceding and scoring a massive 10 goals, could have gone 3-0 up but Karurus shot from a Dube cross went wide. There was, however, no denying the rampaging Zimbabweans the third goal three minutes later when midfield kingpin Gerald Takwara let go another of his defence splitting passes that saw Dube springing through and like a veteran, rounded off an advancing Seychelles goalkeeper Romeo Barra who tried to narrow the angle but still the ball found its way into the back of the nets while Dube whizzed away in celebration.

Zimbabwe went four nil up through Karurus header and by then coach Sunday Chidzambwa might have been forgiven for making preparations for Swaziland as the game was all but over. They, however, were not done as co -captain Ocean Mushure who started from the bench after making way for Honest Moyo, struck one of his trademark left footed free kicks that gave Barra no chance. Mushure had come in for another debutant Innocent Mucheneka.

Try as they might, Seychelles could not break the Zimbabwe defence of Liberty Chakoroma, Erick Chipeta, Jimmy Tigere and Moyo, who also never put a foot wrong.

Mushure added his second of the night and made it six for Zimbabwe, two minutes into added time.

We needed a fresh pair of legs and the boys repaid our faith in them, the conversion rate was superb and once again we did not concede and are naturally happy, said the Warriors assistant coach, Lloyd Mutasa.

Excerpt from:

WARRIORS DESTROY SEYCHELLES | The Chronicle - Chronicle