Category Archives: Seychelles

The airline is upgrading its technology in order to deliver the best travel experience every step of the way.

The new common-use terminal equipment will enable Air Seychelles to connect to various departure control systems used by other airlines operating to Seychelles, providing more flexibility to our ground handling operations. Even more importantly, it will enable us to streamline the check-in and boarding process for all the international travellers that are handled at Seychelles International Airport, making sure they have a smooth experience. Said Roy Kinnear, CEO at Air Seychelles

He further added that this development is yet another innovative technological solution from a list of things that they want to implement in order to assure an improved guest experience.

Terminal facilities usage will be optimized, the flow of passengers will be sped up, and the service levels for all international travellers from Seychelles Airport will also be enhanced.

Introducing cutting-edge CUPPS infrastructure at Seychelles International Airport puts us on par with some of the most modern airports in the world. Having a standardized system for handling passengers will improve the airport experience for all international travellers, irrespective of the airline they are flying with, which is a fantastic achievement. We have developed a strong relationship with both Air Seychelles and SITA and are pleased to have worked together to install this new technology. Mentioned Gilbert Faure, CEO of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority

With this in mind, travellers can benefit from excellent traveling experience.

Source: breakingtravelnews.com

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Introducing New Passenger Handling Technology by Air Seychelles - Travel Wires

Seychelles had the opportunity to boost the knowledge of Kenyan travel agents, enticing them to promote and sell the island destination among Kenyas outbound tourism market, as the Seychelles Tourism Board joined the recent Spotlight workshops in Nairobi.

The workshops were conducted at the Raddison Blu Hotel and Villa Rosa Kempiniski in Nairobi on July 6 and 7.

Seychelles was among 10 tourist destinations at the two-day event, which saw the participation of some 30 exhibitors and 187 agents.

Kenyan Travel agents at the Seychelles table were treated to detailed presentations made by the Seychelles Tourism Boards Senior Marketing Executive, Mrs Amia Jovanovic-Desir.

The Spotlight Travel workshops is an initiative of the Houston Travel Marketing Services that has been organising such workshops in Nairobi over the past 15 years. The aim is to promote outbound travel from Kenya to inter-regional destinations within East Africa, as well as to the rest of Africa and the Indian Ocean.

For Seychelles, the recent spotlights workshop was the perfect opportunity to shed more light on the destinations products and services, which local trade partners are offering to the different market segments.

Mrs Jovanovic-Desir noted that In order to better sell the destination, one should have sound knowledge of the range of products and services on offer. However, this is one lacking raised by the agents who attended the training, which they say is hindering the firm demand and sales, when it comes to the Seychelles market.

Statistics show that visitor arrivals to Seychelles from key markets in the region, including Kenya have dropped in 2017. From January to June, Seychelles welcomed a total of 823 visitors from Kenya compared to 1,044 visitors during the same period in 2016, which represents a drop of 21 percent. This is in spite of direct air links, with Kenya Airways having served the Nairobi-Seychelles route for many years.

Mrs Jovanovic-Desir seized the opportunity at the spotlight workshops to hold discussions with representatives of Kenya Airways on how to consolidate the partnership which exists between the two sides and further combine their efforts on a more strategic marketing approach.

We have thus agreed to work together so as to encourage more educational trips, as well as media visits, this will offer them the opportunity to experience the destination from the broader angle, she said.

Mrs Jovanovic-Desir added that such visits will allow the agents to have a better understanding of Seychelles which is a destination that aims to welcome tourists from all market segments, and also offers affordable products, including accommodations owned by the locals that tend to offer personalised services.

Kenyas expatriate community on the lookout for short-haul flights to destinations offering the perfect retreat, as well as those looking for twin-sector experiences were also highlighted as potential markets.

The desire and determination to make Seychelles one of the destinations they envision to push on the Kenyan market was very apparent, through questions raised by the tour operators, who also left comments highlighting their desire to visit Seychelles and giving their commitment to promote the destination the best they can.

Amazing, stunning destination. The presentation was wonderful, said Topster Moraa from Johnson Tours and Travels International.

Commenting on the outcome of the workshops, Mrs Jovanovic-Desir who is confident that the exposure will lead to results in the near future said the majority of the agents who attended the presentations have never been to Seychelles to experience the destination personally, thus justifying the lack of destination awareness.

Such workshops should be encouraged mainly on markets where we cannot bring most of the key tour operators and travel agents to our shores to sample the destination, after all, seeing is believe. After all, one has to take action if you want anything to happen, she said.

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Seychelles Tourism Board moves to educate Kenyan travel agents on the destination - eTurboNews

During a ceremony held yesterday to mark the first Blue Economy Day at the Seychelles Institute of Teachers Education (SITE), the Chief Executive Officer of the James Michel Foundation, Mr. Jacquelin Dugasse, and the Minister of Environment, Energy & Climate Change, Mr. Didier Dogley, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Cooperation.

The aim of the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation is to ensure harmonization and a holistic approach to the work undertaken by the Government of Seychelles and the James Michel Foundation on the Blue Economy.

Under the MOU, the James Michel Foundation and the Government of Seychelles will pool resources and actions in the following areas:

Policy compatibility and representation Joint activities Exchange of information and experience

The signing of the MOU establishes the platform for cooperation between the Government of Seychelles and the James Michel Foundation for the promotion of the Blue Economy concept, raise awareness of climate change impacts on Seychelles, advance the cause of small island developing states nationally and internationally, said Mr. Dugasse.

The ceremony was also organized to celebrate the Youth Ocean Champions. The James Michel Foundation sponsored prizes, which were presented to the children by Mr. Jacquelin Dugasse. The prizes were given for the winners of the national school competition Blue Economy Career Profile as well as prizes for Anse Royale primary school and Pointe Larue secondary school for promoting the Blue Economy Concept at community level.

Also present at the ceremony were the Vice President, Mr. Vincent Meriton; Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Mr. Joel Morgan; and Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture, Mrs. Mitcy Larue.

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James Michel Foundation signs MOU with Government of Seychelles - eTurboNews

An Emirates Airbus A380 flight from Dubai to Mauritius almost collided with an Air Seychelles flight that was leaving from the island country during the weekend, according to reports.

On Friday, July 14, Emirates flight EK703, operated on an A380-800 aircraft, was preparing to descend in Mauritius. Meanwhile Air Seychelles flight HM054 operated by a Airbus A330-200, was cleared for take-off from Mauritius to Mahe Island.

According to reports, while the Air Seychelles was given clearance by the Mauritius Air Traffic Control (ATC) to climb and maintain 37,000 ft, EK703 was given clearance to descend and maintain 38,000 ft.

However, reports allege that the Emirates crew read back Flight Level 360 (36,000 ft) to Mauritius ATC which was not corrected and began the descent.

As they headed towards a possible collision, both the flights received TCAS (traffic collision avoidance system) resolution advisories, and the Air Seychelles flight also sharply turned right, preventing an accident.

According to a report by The Aviation Herald, data from transponders of both the aircraft implies that the horizontal separation between the two planes was about 7.5 nanometres when they passed through FL360 (36,000ft) at zero vertical separation, and was about 4 nanometres when the vertical separation between the two aircraft reached 1,000 feet with EK703 below FL360 and HM54 at FL370 (37,000 ft).

In a brief statement, an Emirates spokesperson said: Emirates has received reports of an event on July 14, 2017 in relation to aircraft separation involving flight EK703 in Mauritius airspace. The matter has been reported to the respective air transport authorities and Emirates will extend its full cooperation to any investigation.

The safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance.

Emirates offers daily flights to and from Mauritius. Air Seychelles flies five times weekly to and from Mauritius.

In March this year, an Emirates A380 bound for Dubai also collided with a Scoot 787 Dreamliner in the early hours of the morning at Singapores Changi Airport.

Both the planes needed repairs.

Read more: Emirates A380 collides with Scoot plane in Singapore

Also read: Emirates A380 nearly caused private jet crash over Arabian Sea report

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Emirates A380 flight 'almost collides' with Air Seychelles aircraft reports - Gulf Business News

Seychelles, a tiny archipelago of 115 islands, has once again been featured worldwide. An international news channel has thrown the spotlight on how communities in Seychelles, including a tourist establishment, are working to mitigate and fight the effects of climate change.

The visit of a filming crew to the Indian Ocean islands earlier in May, has led to the production of three segments aired on Cable News Network (CNN)s Inside Africa program. The first airing was on Friday, July 7.

The first two segments entitled Seychelles: 115 islands vs climate change and After the storm: How to rebuild a coral reef highlighted the threats of climate change to the islands, including changing weather patterns, coastal erosion and the effects of rising sea temperatures on the coral reefs.

The direct impacts of these occurrences on the lives and activities of the locals and several initiatives being conceived, including underwater coral gardening to help restore the reefs were also showcased. Augustin Desaubin a local fisherman residing at Anse Forbans on the southern coast of the main island, Mah, is one who got to compare the harvest of his fishing trips as a young boy and now that he is almost in his 50s.

In the third segment entitled Seychelles is making a difference, Inside Africa shows that its not only the government coming up with initiatives, but that ordinary citizens are also taking action to combat climate change.

Producers got to film work being done by the Cerf Island Conservation Program and the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles to clean the coastlines and rehabilitate the reefs. They also spoke to Lisa Laporte Booyse, the Marketing Manager of a local tourist establishment Chalets d Anse Forbans who was inspired by such conservation efforts to join with people in her neighborhood to set up the Anse Forbans Community Conservation Program. The non-governmental organization, which was launched in February this year, is already working with other partners to develop its own coral restoration and wetland restoration programs as well as mapping out new hikes and trails for the local community and tourists.

Commenting on her appearance on the program, Mrs. Laporte Booyse explained that the international new channel had approached the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS) for community groups to discuss climate change effects on the environment and their livelihoods. The efforts of the various groups to educate tourists holidaying in the Seychelles about climate change, its effects on the archipelago and what is being done to mitigate the impacts were also featured in the program.

Mrs. Laporte Booyse who is also the Chairperson of the Anse Forbans Community Conservation Program said: Such global reach impacts not only Chalets dAnse Forbans exposure, but the Seychelles internationally. It has highlighted how communities are doing something to combat climate change, how the Chalets are a part of sustainable tourism, how they care for their environment and want to make a change.

Chalets d Anse Forbans is a self-catering beach establishment built on a former coconut plantation. Boasting 12 beach chalets and 2 family chalets, the establishment owned by the Jumeau family has been in operation for 23 years. It is described as a quiet tourist area offering peace and tranquility to visitors also wanting to be in touch with nature.

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Tourist establishment in Seychelles supporting community initiatives ... - eTurboNews

The couple flew to the Seychelles to spend some quality time together and soak up the sun.

The former Miss World and nutritional therapist (below) recently celebrated her third wedding anniversary with her businessman partner. The couple have been together for more than 10 years.

They have returned to luxury resort Constance Lemuria, where they initially honeymooned.

They'll spend two weeks there soaking up the sun and chilling out on the paradise island.

However, the health-conscious model always makes sure not to let her gym regime fall by the wayside and usually manages to fit in a regular work-out while she's on holiday in order to keep her super-toned figure.

The two-time author recently said she had no plans to release another book, given the amount of time involved in publishing her lifestyle-based guides.

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Rosanna Davison and Wes Quirke jet to the Seychelles for 'second honeymoon' - Independent.ie

Malaysia says Seychelles debris not from missing MH370 plane

The location of the plane has become one of the worlds greatest aviation mysteries. It is believed to have gone down in the Indian Ocean.

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

KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia said on Friday pieces of debris found in Seychelles are not from missing flight MH370, which vanished in March 2014 on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

The location of the plane has become one of the worlds greatest aviation mysteries. It is believed to have gone down in the Indian Ocean.

Various pieces of debris have been collected from Indian Ocean islands and Africas east coast and at least three of them have been confirmed as coming from the missing Boeing 777.

Seychelles reported on Thursday the discovery of two pieces of debris washed up on an island that seemed to be from an aircraft, and said it had notified Malaysia.

But Malaysia had come to the conclusion that the debris was not from the plane after contacting the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority for more information.

The MH370 Investigations Team has carried out assessment ... and confirmed that the debris is not from Boeing 777 or Rolls Royce engine, Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, director general of civil aviation, said in a statement.

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Malaysia says Seychelles debris not from missing MH370 plane - Eyewitness News

The hero was the pilot of an Air Seychelles Airbus A330-243 operated as HM 54 flying from Mauritius to Seychelles. In trouble is the pilot of Emirates Airlines, flying an A380 super jumbo as EK703 from Dubai to Mauritius. Hundreds of passengers that flew over the Southern Indian Ocean on Friday are extremely lucky to be alive after they escaped some dangerous skies over Mauritius.

The Emirates Airline pilot will be in trouble if I file a report. If you are not filing a report I will close the matter as well. These are the words of Mauritius Air Traffic Controller to the Air Seychelles Airbus 330 pilot the most likely largest civil airline disaster was avoided two days ago over the Indian Ocean on an air route between the Seychelles and Mauritius. The report was filed anyway and the outcome is pending.

An Airbus A380 Super Jumbo operated by Dubai based Emirates Airlines, and an Airbus A330 operated by Air Seychelles almost collided, if it wasnt for a quick heroic action by the Air Seychelles Pilot.

Both crews were visual with each other, received TCAS resolution advisories, in addition HM-54 turned right. Position data off transponders of both aircraft shows that the horizontal separation between the aircraft was about 7.5nm when both aircraft passed through Flight leval 360 at 0 feet vertical separation and was about 4nm when the vertical separation between the aircraft reached 1000 feet again with EK-703 below FL360 and HM-54 leveling off at Flight level 370.

Here is what happened: On 14th July 2017, Emirates 703 (EK703) an Airbus A380-861 from Dubai (DXB) to Mauritius (MRU) was cruising at an altitude of 40,000 Feet before requesting descent to Mauritius for Runway 14. Seychelles 054 (HM054) an Airbus A330-243 was leaving Mauritius for Seychelles and given clearance by Mauritius ATC to climb and maintain 37,000 Ft. Upon requesting descent, EK703 was given clearance to descend and maintain 38,000 Ft due to crossing HM054 at time13:07(UTC). EK703 read back Flight Level 360 (36,000 Ft) to Mauritius ATC instead of Flight Level 380 (38,000 Ft).

Why are the ATC in manual? Why nor SSR or Primary Radar in use? ICAO should conduct a study if this is a busy international Air Route and if thats the case this region should be recomended to provide SSR (Secondary Service) for the safe and efficient conduct of flight which was the main objective of providing an Air Traffic Control Service.

Emirates Airlines is not without dark secrets, as the video below

Numerous reports talk about Emirates pilots to be overworked and often fly fatigue. If a pilot is tired and calls in sick, Emirates management will punish him or her> See: https://donotflyemirates.wordpress.com/

Another worker for Emirates has a different story to tell: I work for Emirates and nothing from what she is saying is true. I joined them in June 2012 and I am extremely happy at Emirates and proud to work for Emirates. I am even planning to retire with them. They are extremely fair and transparent in their benefits for the employees. All policies and procedure are clear. Nothing is hidden. Emirates is one of the best companies in the world which is very well-managed, period.

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Air Seychelles pilot a hero, Emirates Airlines A380 pilot in trouble, passengers extremely lucky! - eTurboNews

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.

However, we will NOT condone the following:

- Racism (including offensive comments based on ethnicity and nationality) - Sexism - Homophobia - Religious intolerance - Cyber bullying - Hate speech - Derogatory language - Comments inciting violence.

We ask that your comments remain relevant to the articles they appear on and do not include general banter or conversation as this dilutes the effectiveness of the comments section.

We strive to make the EWN community a safe and welcoming space for all.

EWN reserves the right to: 1) remove any comments that do not follow the above guidelines; and, 2) ban users who repeatedly infringe the rules.

Should you find any comments upsetting or offensive you can also flag them and we will assess it against our guidelines.

EWN is constantly reviewing its comments policy in order to create an environment conducive to constructive conversations.

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

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