Category Archives: Seychelles

The Seychelles Tourism Board Office in South Korea has appointed a well-known novelist in the Asian nation, Yeong Ok Baek, as one of the Friends of Seychelles-Press.

The appointment was revealed during a press conference held at Gwanghwamun, Seoul city, on May 25, 2017. Some 30 members of South Koreas most important press were in attendance.

Seychelles is more and more being highlighted as a popular destination in South Korea, thanks to its well-established reputation as the preferred choice of many celebrities, honeymooners and other visitors seeking luxurious holiday sites.

Julie Kim, regional manager of the Seychelles tourist office in Korea says theres been a rapid increase in awareness of the destination, and Mrs. Baeks appointment is therefore aimed at boosting this momentum, while increasing the island nations visibility among South Korean visitors.

I hope that appointing Mrs. Baek as one of the Friends of Seychelles-Press will broaden the way for people to get to know Seychelles and eventually visit the islands in the near future, said Kim.

The Seychelles Tourism Board Office in South Korea chose Yeong Ok Baek in recognition of her active contribution towards promoting the destination. After visiting the archipelago, Mrs. Baek has been proactive in sharing her fascination of the natural beauty of the Seychelles through her recent book What Anne of Green Gables tells you, as well as through her lectures and travel news articles.

Baek describes Seychelles as a place perfect for detoxing and a place where Everything there is absolutely beautiful and makes you want to come back.

I was quite surprised to see local people raising the giant tortoise in their front yard and as a person who loves the nature, coco de mer was definitely my favorite, she adds, when questioned about her most memorable experience in Seychelles.

Baek who has already published several books, made her debut as a writer in 2006. She is also a travel writer and currently the host of a radio show Radio Detox Baek, Yeong Ok on MBC, one of the major broadcasters in South Korea.

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South Korean novelist, Young Ok Baek, joins Friends of Seychelles-Press circle - eTurboNews

Seychelles was among tourism destinations that availed of the opportunity to be showcased at a new travel trade show focusing exclusively on the Chinese market.

The Seychelles Tourism Board and trade partners participated in the first-ever ITB China, held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Convention Center from 10th to 12th May 2017.

The event provided three days of perfect networking opportunities for handpicked Chinese buyers and international travel industry partners. Around 600 companies from some 70 countries and regions conducted business-to-business (B2B) meetings at the exhibition space, which had been booked well in advance.

The Seychelles delegation was led by the Chief Executive of the island nations Tourism Board Mrs. Sherin Francis, who foresees potential business opportunities between the Seychelles and Chinese trade, following the various meetings conducted.

I am hopeful that this will bring more of the experienced Chinese travelers from China to our shores, said Mrs Francis.

The Seychelles Tourism Board was also represented by the Director for China, Mr Jean-Luc Lai-Lam, Senior Marketing Executive for China, Ms Stephanie Lablache, as well as the Senior Marketing Executive for South and North China, Mr Sen Yu and Mr Li Huanhuan, respectively. Travel trade partners at the ITB China included Masons Travel, Creole Travel Services, 7South and Constance Hotels & Resorts.

The Seychelles participation at the first-ever ITB China, followed the launch of the destinations 2017 strategy for the Asian nation, with emphasis being placed on the high end segment of the Chinese tourism market.

China has been described as the main driving force for growth in international tourism. According to the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, the number of outbound travelers from China recorded a 6 percent increase in 2016, as it rose to 135 million. This helped consolidate Chinas position as the number one source market in the world since 2012.

ITB China is in fact an offshoot of ITB Berlin, one of the worlds largest international tourism trade fair and its the second such travel show which Messe Berlin organizes on the Asian continent after ITB Asia, held in Singapore over the last 8 years.

Commenting on the decision to target the worlds largest travel market, the Chief Executive of Messe Berlin, Dr Christian Goke said: At Messe Berlin we are proud that, for some of our exhibitors, this is their first travel exposure in China.Like Messe Berlin, they too are highly optimistic about the new partnership that can be made during ITB China, an event dedicated to establishing new travel trade business relations between China and the world. At the same time, we aim to bring the best of our expertise and contacts from ITB Berlin & ITB Asia to serve the Chinese travel market.

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Making the most of new opportunities: Seychelles attends inaugural ... - eTurboNews

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 5, 2017/APO/

On June 2, 2017, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the sixth and final review of Seychelles economic program supported by an arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). [1]The completion of the review enables the disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 1.635 million (about US$2.3 million) bringing the total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 11.445 million (about US$15.8 million).

Seychelles three-year, SDR 11.445 million arrangement (about US$17.6 million at the time of approval, the equivalent of 50 percent of Seychelles current quota in the IMF) was approved by the IMF Executive Board on June 4, 2014 (see Press Release No. 14/262) to support authorities efforts to reduce high debt levels, improve external buffers and sustainability in the face of balance of payments pressures, and to strengthen the economy through sustained and inclusive growth.

Seychelles has made noticeable progress toward economic stability and external sustainability through bold reforms since the crisis in 2008

Following the Executive Boards discussion, Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, said:

Seychelles has made noticeable progress toward economic stability and external sustainability through bold reforms since the crisis in 2008. While the growth outlook is positive, the economy remains vulnerable to external shocks, and over the long term, climate change.

The authorities should give priority to achieving their medium-term debt target to preserve the hard-won economic stability and external sustainability. Without additional measures in the 2018 budget, the authorities target of bringing public debt-to-GDP ratio below 50 percent would be significantly delayed while the countrys external position could come under pressure. The authorities should also take steps to create further fiscal space over the medium term to accommodate investments aimed at reducing vulnerability to climate change.

The flexible exchange rate regime has served the country well and should be maintained with minimal intervention to preserve the international reserve buffers at around the current level. Meanwhile, the authorities should continue efforts to avoid further loss of correspondent banking relationships. Further strengthening the AML/CFT framework will be helpful in this regard.

To support sustained and inclusive growth, structural reforms should aim at diversifying the economy through improvements in the business environment. Reducing cross-subsidization in electricity prices, efficient use of public-private-partnerships, and further accelerating investment in education would help improve the business environment, raise productivity, and go a long way toward promoting shared prosperity.

[1] TheEFFwas established to provide assistance to countries: (i) experiencing serious payments imbalances because of structural impediments; or (ii) characterized by slow growth and an inherently weak balance of payments position.

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Seychelles: IMF approves $2.3 Million disbursement | News Ghana - News Ghana

Seychelles, being an island destination boasting powder-white beaches, lush tropical vegetation, and calm turquoise waters, attracts a host of vacationers every year.

Visitors come in search of the perfect beach wedding, exotic honeymoon, a great diving experience or simply to get in touch with nature.

The Seychelles Tourism Board Office in China organized a workshop for travel agents in Hong Kong to provide them with a better understanding of what the destination has to offer.

The talks held at the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong on 16th May, 2017, focused on the aspects of wedding, honeymoon, diving and eco-tourism.

Around 16 travel agents attended the workshop and most of them were from smaller niche companies that sell both air-tickets and packages.

The Director of the Seychelles Tourism Board Office in China, Mr. Jean-Luc Lai-lam said they all showed a positive interest in the destination and the different products on offer to visitors.

Working closer with smaller agencies, helps us to diversify our portfolio and reach out to specific groups within the market, said Lai-lam.

The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong was established in 1978 to protect the interests of travel agents. The council is tasked with regulating outbound and inbound travel agents, under the Travel Agents Ordinance enacted in 1985 that makes it mandatory for all outbound travel agents to be licensed.

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Home Associations & Organizations Travel agents in Hong-Kong gain insights to better sell Seychelles as a... - eTurboNews

Theres something of a Jurassic Park feel to Flicit, the Seychelles island thats home to the new Six Senses Zil Pasyon. Jagged, giant granite boulders loom over the verdant, hilly island, and play a direct role in some of the activities available at the resort: To get to the pavilions of Six Senses trademark spa, you walk a rope bridge strung between boulders. Guests can also scale another boulderthe islands highest pointfor the perfect perch on which to watch the sunset with a bottle of Champagne.

The 30 villas, all with infinity-edge pools and sea views, are spaciousstarting at 1,880-square feetand designed with local stone, wood, and contemporary furniture swathed in fabrics bearing the same vibrant turquoise shade as the Indian Ocean outside. Each accommodation also comes with a butlercalled a GEM, or Guest Experience Makerwho can arrange activities such as hiking the trails on the islands 652 acres, cycling the nearby island of La Digue, or golfing on neighboring Praslin island.

Of course, most guests are content to stay right where they are, splitting their time between the spa and the sea. The former features the Six Senses Integrated Wellness Program, offering five journeys that use local and African treatments. The latter, is home to a wonderland of coral formations, a panoply of multicolored fish, and a trio of powdery beaches. A 5-minute boat ride to nearby Coco Island brings the additional experience of swimming with turtles.

At night, culinary creations take center stage, spotlighting both local cuisine and international specialties such as just-caught tuna wrapped around sugarcane stalks, octopus-and-soft-shell-crab curry, and grilled Wagyu beef. But the most satisfying meal comes early in the day, with a breakfast of coconut pancakes or scrambled eggs and crab, enjoyed on your private villa deck overlooking the sea. (sixsenses.com)

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Inside the Seychelles' New Six Senses Zil Payson Island Resort - Robb Report

FILE: Ethiopian Airlines is set to add a sixth flight to Seychelles route. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing and most profitable African airline, is delighted to announce that it will add a sixth weekly flight to Seychelles as of 6th December 2017.

Chief Commercial Officer Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Busera Awel, said, Air transport being a vital component of the tourist appeal and the driving factor for economic growth in general, we have been serving our continent for seven decades, offering convenient connectivity options to more than 54 African cities. Seychelles being Africas premier tourist destination, with the natural attractions of the archipelagos, we have now added a sixth weekly service to provide more options for passengers flying from any part of the world to Seychelles, and vice versa, through our strategic hub at Addis Ababa. As per our growth strategy, vision 2025, we shall continue to increase our presence in Africa, to better promote and facilitate growth in the business and tourism sectors.

Ethiopian Airlines also offers special fares for tour packages to the major African tourist destinations such as: Victoria Falls, Antananarivo, Conakry and Gaborone.

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Ethiopian airline to add flight frequency to Seychelles - Independent Online

Forbes

A New Luxe Private Island Is Coming To The Seychelles Forbes The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles on the main island of Mahe is a cossetting place on its owna collection of tree house suites dotted in the lush hills above the sifted sand beach of Baie Lazare on the southwest coast. The water is a mesmerizing ...

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A New Luxe Private Island Is Coming To The Seychelles - Forbes

There is so much to indulge in. Picture: Seychelles Tourism Board.

While the Seychelles is synonymous with brightly coloured fruits and vegetables and of course fresh sea food, there is actually quite a bit more to be found on the menu that you may not even have thought of considering.

Breadfruit

While the name may sound less than appealing to most, breadfruit is quite popular in the Seychelles.

At first glance it may not look like much with its rather tough exterior and potato like interior, but breadfruit or friyapen as it is known locally, is delicious whether boiled, baked, mashed or fried. You can enjoy it as a side, snack or as a dessert. Best of all is that this fruit is very healthy being rich in energy, dietary fibre, minerals, and vitamins.

And, to let you in on a little secretlegend has it that if you eat breadfruit at least once in the Seychelles, there is a great chance that you will again one day visit the island paradise again.

Some bat for you?

If you fancy yourself somewhat of an adventurous eater and you dont mind having somewhat of a tussle with your meat, you should try fruit bat of flying fox as it is also known.

Fruit bats or flying foxes due to their orange fur, make for one the Seychelles signature dishes. It is served in many local restaurants and can be prepared in a variety of ways. It is said to taste like venison, but apparently, it is quite challenging to eat due to the many tiny bones you have to work around to get to the actual meat.

A lot of menus may also not directly state that they have bat on the menu and often put it down as Rousettes.

Sweet or savoury

Ladob is another famed dish in the Seychelles and can be enjoyed in a savoury version or sweet dessert version.

When enjoyed as a dessert, it is made with sweet potatoes and ripe plantain and may also include bread fruit cassava or corossol. The ingredients are then boiled in coconut milk with a dash of nutmeg, sugar and vanilla.

The savoury version is cooked the same way as the desert version, but with salted fish added, salt is used instead of sugar and no vanilla is used.

I

Soup with a twist

You will find no shortage of delicious seafood to eat in the Seychelles, but if you are looking for something out of the norm try some Tec Tec. The small white shellfish is collected from the beach and cooked with pumpkin for the makings of a delectable soup.

And to drink?

With so much eating going on, you will probably be on the lookout for something interesting to quench your thirst.

Bacca and calou are two of the Seychelles favourite beverages. Similar to rum, Bacca is made from sugar cane liquor and normally consumed at ceremonial events. Bacca is usually home-brewed and you will find varying quality of this drink throughout the Seychelles.

Also known as palm wine, calou is fermented wine, sourced from inflorescence of coconut trees, which tastes sweet or tart after fermentation. As a rule of thumb, the drier the flavour, the higher the alcohol content. It is also used in a variety of dishes. Coco dAmour is a tropical coconut liqueur that is made with coconut extract.

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Foods to try while in Seychelles - Independent Online

Seychelles recently organized the visit of 15 youths and students from 8 countries to Kutai Kartanegara in East Kalimantan as part of its effort to help promote compassionate destinations of eco-culture in Indonesia.

Seychelles Special Envoy for ASEAN, Mr. Nico Barito, said the youth and students came from France, the Netherlands, Japan, Liberia, Madagascar, Belgium, Dominican Republic, and Italy.

Such initiative is spearheaded by Saint Ange Consultancy of the former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine of Seychelles, Mr. Alain St.Ange, whom has included the Indonesian local cultures in the annual Carnival International de Victoria in Seychelles since 2011, said Nico Barito.

The initial 10-day itinerary from April 27 to May 5, 2017 has provided the international youth with excursion to various local destinations of eco-culture, mingled with local people.

The program gave economic benefits to local people, particularly homestay owners, restaurants, tourist guides, cultural activists, and handicraft traders, and has offered local youths rare opportunities to interact with youths from other countries, said Mrs. Rita Widyasari, the local premier of Kutai Kartanegara.

Mrs. Rita added that 2017 has been declared as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism by the United Nations, and Kutai Kartanegara is proud to participate and focus to promote tourists with the protection of the environment and culture and empowerment of women and youths as part of its program to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).

The program, which was coordinated through FORSEAA Forum of Small Medium Economic AFRICA ASEAN, would continue to bring international tourists, especially youths who want to explore nature adventure and eco-culture in Indonesia, said Mr. Rega, the Program Officer of FORSEAA in Indonesia.

He also said that FORSEAA will replicate the Kutai Kartanegara program for the development of culture tourism within other local governments of Indonesia.

Developing tourist destinations is like the question of what comes first the chicken or the egg. Our experience in Seychelles shows that when destinations are well promoted, tourists would come and the development of infrastructure and world-class accommodation would follow suit, Nico Barito said.

The Minister of Tourism of Kabupaten Kutai Kartenegara, Sri Wahyuni, introduced eco-culture tourism at the Regent.

The International Youth Excursion Eco Culture from 8 countries were accommodated with local tribes at a home stay in Lekaq Kidau Cultural Village.

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Seychelles promotes eco-culture tourism in Kutai Kartanegara, Indonesia - eTurboNews

BROOK SABIN

Last updated08:42, May 26 2017

Kiwis Brook Sabin and Radha Engling sailed the Seychelles in a luxury yacht, and say its one of the most unforgettable ways to spend a week on the water.

Most of us dream of a tropical holiday on the water - and I think we've found the best place on Earth to do it.

There's a little cluster of islands off the coast of Africa where the sand is so white, the water so turquoise blue - you will think you're on another planet.

A place where everything is on a grand scale. The coconuts grow to 30kg, and giant tortoises get to 350kg.

READ MORE *Why Philippines is so popular *Why Croatia should be at the top of your bucket list *Italy's undiscovered secrets

BROOK SABIN/ONFLIGHTMODE.COM

The Seychelles is home to some of the best beaches in the world.

The Seychelles is a tropical paradise to rival the likes of Maldives and Tahiti. And the best way to explore the islands is by yacht.

Silhouette Cruises offers a week-long trip around six of the islands, with up to 18 guests. And you do it in serious style aboard a luxury all-inclusive yacht.

Our comfort took on a whole new level, when we discovered there were only 3 other guests and 10 crew to look after us!

BROOK SABIN/ONFLIGHTMODE.COM

The Sea Star can hold up to 18 guests.

After leaving Victoria, the country's capital of just 30,000 people, we headed straight for Beau Vallon - considered one of the best beaches on Mahe, the main island. There, it rained, and ominously looked like a storm was brewing. I was beginning to wonder if the magic of sailing the Seychelles would actually happen.

But that magic emerged the next morning, as we cruised under full sun to a secluded cove. Anchoring near the beach, we were greeted with a huge expanse of ultra-clear light blue turquoise water - so clear we could see swarms of fish, even deep down.

The captain had a knowing glint in his eye: if you thought that was good, wait 'till you see what I've got for you tomorrow.

And he was right. The next day we headed to the country's second biggest island; home to a beach consistently named one of the best in the world. Anse Lazio has incredible powder white sand, lined with granite boulders and coconut trees. It's famed for its turtles, and we found two swimming in the shallows.

BROOK SABIN/ONFLIGHTMODE.COM

Anse Lazio and its emerald blue waters.

There was even better to come.

Our next island was home to Anse Source d'Argent.

It isn't just rated as one of the best beaches in the world it often tops the list.

BROOK SABIN/ONFLIGHTMODE.COM

Anse Source d'Argent is protected by a lagoon so offers some of the calmest water in Seychelles.

But it isn't all about the beach and water sports.

We also had time to explore the island of Praslin; its thick jungle home to the biggest coconut on earth weighing up to 30kg.

They are rare and fiercely protected, with a $600 price tag to buy just one! You even face a 5 year prison sentence if you're caught trying to take one directly from the tree.

BROOK SABIN/ONFLIGHTMODE.COM

The Seychelles is home to the largest coconut on Earth. The picture above shows just the nut, the even larger husk has already been removed.

We also visited the island of Curieuse, a sanctuary for giant tortoises. The Seychelles variety are known as the ninjas of the tortoise world, because they can raise their huge bodies up to 400kgs on just their hind legs in search of low hanging leaves to eat.

It's a risky business, because if they flip over they risk death if they can't right themselves.

We were greeted by a huge tortoise on the beach, which has clearly worked out where the tourist boats arrive and decided it's much safer to simply wait there and let visitors pick the leaves for him.

BROOK SABIN/ONFLIGHTMODE.COM

he tortoises found in the Seychelles are some of the largest in the world:

It was an incredible week cruising, which came to an end all too quickly.

I've always been a bit reserved about multi-day boat trips. They seem to be either floating retirement villages, or party boats.

Our trip was neither. It was a floating hotel, where the focus was purely on the incredible surroundings. Just as it should be.

More information: Silhouette Cruises offers a variety of week long cruises, with prices starting around $2,600 per person including meals and water sports. Seeseychelles-cruises.com

Last year Brook Sabin@brooksabin) and his partner Radha Engling (@globaladmirer) quit their jobs and sold everything to travel. They started a blogonflightmode.comand now call themselves fulltime travellers, making a living selling travel photos and video all around the world. Each week Kiwis in Flight will take you on their adventures.

The writerwas a guest of Silhouette Cruises

-Stuff

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The Seychelles like you've never seen - Stuff.co.nz