Category Archives: Seychelles

Eco@Africa

To help save the Coco de Mer, a giant type of coconut that weighs up to 30 kilos, the UN Development Program is assisting the Seychelles in finding ways to ensure that it has the necessary funding.

The archipelago off the coast of East Africa is set for its first transition of power between parties since a 1977 coup. The People's Party has ruled the islands since the return to a multi-party system in 1993. (11.09.2016)

Germans protest industrial scale farming, while Venezuela explores urban agriculture. In Cape Town, farmers battle drought and water waste. And why coconuts have become an election issue in India. (27.01.2017)

You can receive the following channels via our partners. (19.08.2016)

Smog impacts peoples health and causes lung diseases. The problem: You cant really see or smell it. Now a start-up has built a device which measures air quality and tells users when the concentration is high.

Overfishing has depleted fish stocks off the Kenyan coast. Now to keep the ecosystem in balance, a nature conservancy -employs 32 controllers to monitor fish stocks and supervise fishing methods.

Overfishing has depleted fish stocks off the Kenyan coast. Now to keep the ecosystem in balance, a nature conservancy employs 32 controllers to monitor fish stocks and supervise fishing methods.

African masks have a history almost as long as the continent to which they belong, but an artist in Ghana has given them a whole new twist by making them out of waste. Meet the inimitable Ed Franklin Gavua.

Send us your stories, photos and videos and we will showcase them on our website where they can inspire others to do their bit too.

Meet a man who's doing his bit for the environment by digging holes in urban India. It might sound unlikely, but it's helping to prevent both flooding and drought. Welcome to the world of the recharge well.

Overfishing has depleted fish stocks off the Kenyan coast. Now to keep the ecosystem in balance, a nature conservancy -employs 32 controllers to monitor fish stocks and supervise fishing methods.

"Nature provides exceptions to everyrule." Margaret Fuller, 1843

In many parts of Europe, black vultures have died out. Yet on the Spanish island of Mallorca the birds of prey have survived - largely due to shepherds. But even there life is getting difficult for the vultures.

The half-hour radio show and podcast Living Planet makes the environment matter to you.

Even if you only buy eggs from free-range or organic chicken farms, chances are you've also eaten eggs from caged animals. In light of the Easter holidays, we shed light on the sordid business of eggs.

A new report finds that about half the food consumed in Europe contains pesticide residues. The EU's food safety authority says there is no danger. Environmentalists aren't convinced.

Disappearing puffins, a platypus murder mystery and 3D-printed bird's legs. Join us as we take a look through the lens at some green events from around the world over the past week.

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Biodiversity in the Seychelles - Deutsche Welle

Roy Kinnear, Air Seychelles CEO, tells Graham Newton the carriers strong performance demonstrates the benefits of aviation

How important has the Etihad investment been to the airline?

In 2012, Etihad took a 40% stake in Air Seychelles. We took that opportunity to re-size and re-shape the airline and review every aspect of operations, including thefleet and network.

Every year since has been profitable. We grew 20% in 2016 and we expect to grow 30-35% in 2017. Both the long-haul and regional network will be expanded. Ten aircraft are now under an Air Seychelles registration. Of the six Twin Otters, the oldest is six years old. And our second Airbus A330 has just been delivered.

The Etihad investment stabilized the airline and has put the business on a solid platform.

Is Etihad involved in the day-to-day running of the airline?

No, the Air Seychelles management is entirely accountable for the airline. Remember, the Seychelles Government still owns 60% of the airline and the majority of the board are Seychellois.

The real advantage of the Etihad investment is the synergies it makes available.

This cross-fertilization of knowledge and skillsets has definitely helped Air Seychelles

We simply wouldnt be able to get the same value for money as a smaller airline. But just because our purchasing power is increased it doesnt mean we have to buy something we dont need. Air Seychelles can opt in or opt out of any purchasing agreements.

We also get access to Etihads state-of-the-art training facilities. The airline recently recruited 55 new crew members for our A330 and they were all sent to Abu Dhabi to train.

This cross-fertilization of knowledge and skillsets has definitely helped Air Seychelles. And, of course, the extended network that partner airlines provide is vital. Access to connectivity improves revenue. Our systems have been upgraded to take full advantage of this. Customers dont want to have to pick up their bags at a connecting airport or queue to get another boarding pass.

Is consolidation in whatever form the only way for smaller carriers to survive?

You have to know your airline and its scope. Our focus has been on growing our frequencies and getting the most out of our assets. Our aircraft are worked very hard.

We increased our Johannesburg service from three to five times a week and did the same for Mauritius and Mumbai. We did all that with our existing fleet. But we were maxed out and that is why we decided to take a second A330. We needed to push on and the Etihad involvementmade that easier.

Because we have a small fleet, that A330 gives us a tremendous increase in available seat kilometres and that provides the basis for the 30-35% growth this year.

Youre increasing your exposure to Europe at a time of geopolitical uncertainty. Does that concern you?

It doesnt worry me. We have just launched a twice weekly service to Dusseldorf and we serve Paris four times a week. Thats six direct flightsit isnt a great exposure. You always need to work hard to make routes work though, and you need to market the airline properly.

Germany is a good market and Europe is still growing. That gives us a great chance of success

At Dusseldorf, for example, our schedule coordinates with 16 flights from one of our partner airlines, airberlin. Germany is a good market and Europe is still growing. That gives us a great chance of success.

Also, working the European market provides additional opportunities for our regional and domestic services. An A330 can now fly some of the Johannesburg and Mumbai services and that frees up an A320 to add Durban to our regional network. It is a sensible, well-managed approach. I dont like spikes and dips and this strategy will bring steady growth.

Can you balance your numerous corporate social responsibility programs with running a profitable, efficient airline?

My time is split between the commercial and people aspects of the airline. Air Seychelles is a significant employer and a well-known brand name. Many Seychellois either work for, or know someone who works for, the airline. We are truly embedded in the fabric of the nation. As the CEO, I have to understand that and the effect my decisions can have on local communities.

We do what is right for the airline but we are determined to bring the local communities along on our journey.

How important is the airline to the local economy?

Tourism is the lifeblood of the country. We work closely with the tourism board and with hoteliers. Praslin is the second biggest island in the archipelago and to get there from the main island, Mah, requires either a ferry ride that takes over an hour or a 15-minute flight.

Our domestic network grew 20% in 2016 and we expect about 16% growth this year

We improved our frequencies to 80 flights day and that has had a positive impact on tourism on Praslin. Hoteliers, bar owners, and restaurants are all seeing the benefits. Its good for them, good for us, and good for the economy. We also run a charter service for the one-hotel islands.

Our domestic network grew 20% in 2016 and we expect about 16% growth this year. We flew 250,000 people domestically last year when the country only has a population of 100,000.

Are you confident that tourism can keep growing or does protectionist rhetoric worry you?

There isnt much tourism from the United States so the situation there isnt critical to us. And our main markets in EuropeGermany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italyare all growing year-on-year although there was a slight dip in the French market in Q1 this year.

There is no desire to have a concrete jungle of hotels alongside the beaches

The Seychelles Government has a clear strategy. And it doesnt rely on huge increases in tourism every year. Basically, there isnt the infrastructure to handle large numbers of visitors. And there is no desire to have a concrete jungle of hotels alongside the beaches.

It would destroy the beauty of the islands and the many protected species of plants and animals here.

So, while growth is obviously good, the country will not be put at risk. Air Seychelles buys into that. We want to be commercially successful but it is planned growth. Our business isnt being developed on a wing and a prayer.

Can you attract enough staff to keep the airline growing?

When we advertised for cabin crew recently we got hundreds of applicants. It was up to us to ensure we got the selection process right. And, as mentioned, the successful candidates got world-class training at a world-class facility in Abu Dhabi.

As for pilots, over 70% are Seychellois. Thats down to having a clear career path for them from the Twin Otters to the A330 and every opportunity for progression. It would be a higher percentage of local pilots but we recently recruited a few ex-pats for the new A330.

And our engineers have all spent time training and working with Etihad.

When we bring them back, they have great experience under their belt. Its the same for graduates in all core functions. There is a two-year program that trains them and provides them with work experience with partner airlines. When they come back to us, they are fully prepared for the tasks we needthem to accomplish.

Its not magic. It doesnt happen overnight. But it does work.

Is the voice of smaller airlines being heard by the industry?

Actually, I dont see any bias against smaller airlines. Air Seychelles is as complex as any airline.

We have three units; long-haul, regional, and domestic services. These units are intertwined and to do our job properly, we always have to consider all three units.

It is about attitude, not size. We are fully invested in what the industry is trying to achieve in all areas

The regulations we face are the same too, we need the same global standards. It is about attitude, not size. We are fully invested in what the industry is trying to achieve in all areas.

We are audited by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to ensure we meet global standards. Because if we dont, it is not just the airline that would be affected, it is the entire country.

If you could change anything in the industry, what would it be and why?

There are challenges within airlines remit and it is up to us to deal with those. But two major challenges that fall at least partially outside of our control are infrastructure on the ground and infrastructure in the sky. Airports must react to growing traffic in the right way. Take security. It must be fast and efficient as well as robust if aviation is to keep running to its potential. This is a shared responsibility but airlines need airports and governments to play their part.

In the air, we simply need more capacity. Air corridors are becoming saturated. The industry has to move beyond the funnel effect.

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The lifeblood of the country: Roy Kinnear, Air Seychelles - Airlines International (press release)

Forbes

Why The Seychelles' North Island Is The Most Exclusive Honeymoon Spot In The World Forbes The proof is in the guest book. George and Amal Clooney and Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, could easily have gone anywhere on earth for their honeymoons but both celebrated couples chose to come to North Island, Wilderness ...

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Why The Seychelles' North Island Is The Most Exclusive Honeymoon Spot In The World - Forbes

BREAKING NEWS: This timely update relevant to eTN's audience of travel and tourism professionals has been made available:

Victoria (FIR)- The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) recently took part in one of the most important fair in the Italian fishing field, in Riva del Garda beautiful location in northern Italy on the popular lake of Garda.

STB was represented by its regional manager based in Italy Monette Rose at the fair which was held from March 25-26.

The fair which recorded a number of 15,231 visitors, is set to be the confirmed point of reference for the fishing lovers, thanks to its contents, numbers, meetings and number of associations attending 25 for this edition.

Seychelles took part in the fair for the first time, promoting its waters, amongst the richest fishing grounds in the world, and active holidays in the archipelago.

International sport and recreational fishermen enthusiastically return each year to these waters that already boast world records for striped bonito, bonefish, giant guitarfish, tuna and many other.

Seychelles has also become the epicenter of salt water fly fishing on the magnificent shallow flats of the outer islands and blue-water fly fishing is also becoming increasingly popular.

The fair was the perfect platform to promote the richness of the archipelago. This year much attention was also given to sustainability with the contribution of scientists and experts, exploring new ways to develop this sport without harming the ecosystem.

Seychelles is proud of its long-standing enlightened conservation policies, adopted to ensure protection of fish stocks through best practice in the fishing arena. One example of this is a total ban on the use of spear guns in its waters or the ban on fishing in protected areas.

The fair featured also 210 commercial activities promoting and selling specific fishing and hunting gears as well as the latest novelties on the market, on a surface of 25,000 sqm and four pavilions.

Special activities for children were organized to attract families and attention was put on gastronomy with Caccia&Pesca in Tavola, a series of meetings and courses to learn new recipes using the various catch of the day.

Great enthusiasm was given to the novelty of this year the Tenkara Village, a pavilion dedicated to this new fishing technique from Japan, with popular guests and international experts.

Seychelles stand received great attention from members of the public who were new to the idea of booking a holiday in the tropical paradise enriching the stay with thrilling fishing excursions and experiences.

The aim was to widen Seychelles tourism prospects and in the next months other related projects will follow to increase the visibility of the islands in this niche sector.

The event was the perfect mix of culture, business, fun and passion and next fishing fair will take place between March 24-25, 2018.

MEDIA CONTACT: info@seychelles.travel

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Seychelles showcased at fishing fair in Italy - eTurboNews

What to expect when you fly Air Seychelles, here's my experience:

Economy class

Johannesburg to Seychelles:

The plane: Airbus A320 named Amirantes.

My seat: 27 A. I swopped with a friend for the window seat, she obliged. It was comfortable and roomy. The plane was not full, so the person next to me moved to another vacant seat. I did not feel uncomfortable on the five hour journey.

On time: The plane left on time, and we landed a few minutes earlier at Seychelles International Airport.

How full: There were many empty seats.

Fellow passengers: There were many couples on board, some pensioners. Most of them slept during the flight or if they were awake, they were glued to the on board entertainment.

Entertainment: They have a wide selection of movies, television shows and news channels. There were new movie releases and some classics. I spent my time watching Chicago Med, a medical drama that I am now hooked on. There is a long genre of music on offer, including offerings from Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears. I loved the Bastille album, which I played on repeat.

Service: The team was superb. Staff were friendly and prompt. Some of them even stopped by during the flight to talk to me and hear about South Africa.

Food and drink: The menu is Creole inspired. As a vegetarian, I had a creamy pasta. To be honest, I was not a fan and left most of it. They made for it with the strawberry dessert. It was fresh and flavoursome. I washed it down with some mango juice, so good I asked for seconds.

Toilets: Clean and tidy.

Airport experience: It would be biased to share my experience as crew of Air Seychelles gave us the VIP experience when we landed. However, Seychelles International Airport is very basic looking, unlike the one in Praslin that looks more like a hotel than an airport. It is the busiest airport in Seychelles.

Would I fly it again? Definitely, comfort and a shorter international flight, what more can I ask for?

Business class

Seychelles to Durban:

The plane: Airbus A330 named Aldabra

My seat: 2F. It was a window seat so I got to see all the small islands. It is a bit more spacious than economy with recliner seats. There was a comfortable footrest, adjustable headrest, lumbar support and built-in massage functions, which was amazing and made sleep so much better.

On time: They were delayed by half an hour, but managed to reach Durban at the stipulated arrival time.

How full: Business class was full, most occupied by media as it was the first inaugural flight to Durban.

Fellow passengers: We travelled with the Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Maurice Loustau Lalanne and the General Manager of Aero-political, Government Affairs, Revenue Management and Pricing for Air Seychelles, Alan Renaud. Many media colleagues were on board, for some our first business class experience.

Entertainment: We had a personal 10.5-inch screen that offered 40 movies, 60 TV programmes, 7 radio channels and 50 CDs, similar to economy class. Movies include La La Land, Mancester Sea and Storks. If you love classic music, Michael Jacksons Thriller will keep you occupied. I made a playlist that played while I dozed off.

Service: The cabin crew pulled out the red carpet for us. They were prompt and friendly. They even prepared cocktails right in front of us and graciously posed for photographs.

Food and drink: We were served brunch. The menu included appetisers of seasonal fruit and a selection of breakfast bread. I had a vegetable quiche that was served with roasted potatoes and sauted red beans. They served a range of cocktails including a Bloody Maria, Between the Clouds and Caitalina. I had the mango colada with creamy mango and Seychelless famous Takamaka white and coco rum. Yum! I also enjoyed the savoury banana chips that cabin crew brought to us.

Toilets: Clean and tidy.

Would I fly it again? Definitely. World class service deserves to be used again.

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The Air Seychelles experience: we rate them - Independent Online

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 Australasia's 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 of the Seychelles People's United Party came into use and it had a district wavy white stripe. The only significant difference between the national flag and SPUP's flag was the depiction of 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]

Continued here:

Flag of Seychelles - Wikipedia

As I dip my feet in the warm waters of the Grand Anse beach in Seychelles, I am reminded for the millionth time how versatile the country has become for avid travellers like myself. Gone are the days when one only visits Seychelles for honeymoon. In fact, I was surprised at how many families are now choosing the destination for their holidays. I have learned that Seychelles can be explored in just three days, five if you add in flights.It's paradise, something that a person should experience at least once I their lifetime.Its history is pretty informative and insightful, and it's more than sun, sea and sand.Here is how I spent my three days in Seychelles:

Getting there:

Thanks to the new Air Seychelles route to Durban, Seychelles is now only a 5-hour flight away. The airline is currently running a special to celebrate their launch. For an economy ticket, one will pay around R5000 while business class will set you back for around R16 000. The special ends on May 12 for travel up to December 5.

Day 1:Getting familiar with the largest Island in Seychelles: Mahe

I am awoken by the sound of soft crashing of waves at Beau Vallon, one of the many beaches situated in Mahe. I open my hotel room and am met with the gorgeous clear blue pool. Not so far lies the beach, the sea sounding happy. It's a clear day in Seychelles, approximately 29 degrees Celsius and humid.

After a filling breakfast, we check out of our hotel. Our driver, Christopher, takes us around Mahe for the day. Gretel from Seychelles Tourism Board tells us as we pass the clean and lush green streets filled with small shops and vendors that the northern part of Seychelles, including Mahe, has become a tourist attraction.

Many hotels and self catering venues have now emerged, leaving hope for anyone who wants to visit this idyllic county on a budget. The southern part of Seychelles attracts those who want a quiet relaxing holiday. Mountain slopes similar to Signal Hill in Cape Town pave the way.

Quaint houses with banana trees are along the route.

Seychelles and Mauritius are different, says Gretel, as Christopher pumps up Creole music.

Some of us in the car can't help but stomp our feet and tap to the beat.

Our first stop was Mission Lodge, situated below the summit of San Soucis. It is known as the most famous vantage point in Seychelles. The site was once a place for a farm and boarding school for liberated slave children. Opened in 1876, it was previously known as Venn's Town. The ruins where the buildings stood are still visible.While watching the mountain and sea views, I notice Marie Valmont, a small shop owner who travels an hour by bus every day to sell snacks to arriving tourists. Her smile is warm and she has been running the shop for four years.

Also on our itinerary was the colourful Victoria Market.A visit to the market gives a glimpse of Seychelles living and its inhabitants.You have to see the liberation movement monument of a man breaking the chains. It is along the route to the market. The market was built in 1840 and renovated in 1999.

The streets are busy, school children in their brown shorts and crisp white shirts parade along the streets. Some are seen wearing flops. Immediately I am met with a smile from one of the local vendors. Rosemarie Uzice is an upcoming businesswomen who visits Thailand and South Africa regularly to stock up on clothes for her stall. She sells scarves, dresses and t-shirts.

A few meters away lies the fish and vegetable market.There is a demand for fish in Seychelles. Mackerel sells for 25 rupees for a dozen. Flies surround the packed fish tables and there is a strong floating about. Coconuts and other green fruit are on display.

Stall owners are excited to see us.They do not force us to buy their products, but a little support puts a smile on their faces.

Opposite the car park of the market is the only Hindu Temple in Seychelles. Named the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, it was built in1992. It's beautiful bright colours makes it stands out, attracting visitors from all walks of life.On our trip to Eden Island, a manmade island in Mahe, we are told that it is cheaper to hire a car than take a taxi. Locals usually travel by bus that costs five Seychelles rupees per a trip.

Tonight, we spend our time at the Eden Bleu Hotel. We were treated to a three course dinner of octopus salad, red snapper and a dreamy coconut dessert. All meals were prepared by Chef Ricky Madeleine.When I asked about where he drew his inspiration for the dish, he said he learned the techniques from a French pastry chef back in 2002.

Earlier, for lunch, we tried out some Creole cuisine to get familiar with its food and tastes.Curries are big in Seychelles, but not as spicy as what you would find in India or Durban.

The red snapper and prawn curry was beautifully prepared with enough spice to help me finish it all. There are also specialty curries in Seychelles like octopus or bat. Speaking of food, there is a legend that if one tries the breadfruit, one will visit again.

Day 2:Early flight to Praslin

Cycling is the Khanna family from Punjab is Deepa, Manish and Dhruv.

The sunset on Long Beach.

The next day we get up early and head to the airport for Praslin. It is home to Anse Lazio, one of the top five beaches in the world.For around 200 Seychelle rupees, one can take a 15 minute flight from the island of Mahe.

At the airport, a group of school children are all excitement as they prepare for an overnight excursion. Other foreigners filled the seats.Being so early, we get to see the sunrise.The plane itself feels like a private jet, just with more people.

Once at Praslin, pronounced Pralin, we went straight into the exploring. One thing Seychelles is proud of is the coco de mer.The coco de mer has a female and male tree, which can live up to 200 to 400 years. They can only be found at Vallee DE Mai Nature Reserve.

According to our guide at the reserve, it can take up to 25 years to develop.Getting a coco de mer can be hard as a permit is required.Valle de Mai Nature Reserve is a nature park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.Birding is quite popular for tourists.At the reserve is species of six endemic birds, including the Seychelles Bulbul, blue pigeon and black parrot.

We meet many locals, including Phillip Dorby, a labourer who has grown his hair for the past 30 years and wears them in dreadlocks. He is often seen walking the beach after doing some hard manual labour.Elsewhere on Grand Anse in La Digue is Louis Gillert, who has a food and beverage stall on the beach front. His specialty is coconut drinks.

La Digue is a very laid back part of the country where thousands of day visitors flock to every month. It is the fourth biggest island in Seychelles and can be accessed by boat or ferry. Among the popular activities are watersport, cycling and some just come to enjoy lazing on its beaches. The very tropical town exudes elegance with a string of hotels and self catering joints at every corner. There are only 2900 people living on the island

Dania Morel, information officer for La Digue, said it is the only island to use ox carts and bicycles as their mode of transportation.

"We get day trips and returning guests. Some love it so much, they rent a house for three monthsWe are a small community, everyone knows each other, and we encourage tourists to walk, hike and go out, " she said.

Most of our day was spent at La Digue having to chart back by boat.

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching the sunset and taking pictures to capture the moment.By night, after dinner, we decided to watch the stars while on a beach walk on Grand Anse. Crabs were on their way, snipping past us as we were looking towards the sky.

Day 3:Out at sea

It was another early morning, departing from Praslin to Mahe. Today we spend a full day at the Marine Park, consisting of six islands.On board the Odezir catamaran, we blended in with French and Dubai tourists. We were the only South Africans on board, and it showed as the French kept looking at us strangely when some of the group members spoke in IsiZulu.

Before we explored the islands, we anchored at a famous fishing spot to feed fish.Our tour guide Jacqueline gave us some bread and in seconds the fish battled with each other to get their breakfast. Their agility intrigued me.

Moyenne Islands was one of the stops of the tour. The excursion gave new meaning to the word "out at sea" as we took a speedboat to watch the ocean life through a submarine. Afterwards, we enjoyed a hike in Moyenne where we fed turtles. A Russian couple with their three children caught my eye. Their friendliness made talking to them easy. They were on holiday for 10 days.

Some of us dipped our feet in the warm ocean, washing off the white sand off our feet.The tour itself is fascinating as one peers through islands and hear of their rich history. Those who wanted to snorkel had the opportunity to do so, while others chose to tan on board. Prepared on the boat is a fine buffet of Creole food, so rich in taste you want seconds. Despite the long haul on the catamaran, its luxury and comfort helped make it much more easier.

-Clinton Moodley was hosted by Air Seychelles and Seychelles Tourism Board.

Link:

Seychelles part 2: How to spend 3 days in the country - Independent Online

Seychelles evening

On Wednesday (5 April) Searcys, a collection of restaurants, bars and venues throughout the UK, showcased one of its newest acquisitions, the St Pauls Cathedral, to 200 corporate buyers at an exclusive event. The evening demonstrated the services and creative catering skills that are available at the historical venue, as well as its links to the rest of the Searcys Collection.

Searcys, which operates St Pauls with catering and event management, served up a range of canaps and champagne and the evening was made even more special with a unique, private organ recital. The evening was also supported by Lavender Green, who dressed the venue with stunning flowers, and Wise Productions, who provided the lighting and AV for the evening.

The Seychelles- A Taste of Bliss evening was hosted on Thursday (6 April) in partnership with The Seychelles Tourism Board, Etihad Airways, Savoy Resort & Spa and Avenue Sales & Marketing in an exclusive roof top of the Penthouse at the Cheval Residences, overlooking Tower Bridge and The Shard. Agencies in attendance included Black Tomato, Banks Sadler, CWT Meetings & Events, Adding Value,Green Pleasant Events, Inception Global, Red Eye Events, AOK, CMM andHigh Commissioner of the Republic of Seychelles Mr Derrick Ally.

The exclusive preview evening included an interactive presentation and a Discover Seychelles island quiz, during which guests learnt about the wide variety of group incentive activities available in The Seychelles. Authentic Seychelles Creole food and beverages were served up by Seychelles Pop-Up Kitchen Vinn Goute.

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Week in Pictures: Searcys' showcase and Seychelles: A Taste of Bliss - CIT Magazine

Kenya and the Seychelles on Monday entered into an agreement to expand their ties in trade and security. In addition, President Danny Faure and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta agreed that Kenya will continue to export human resource to the island country. Labour that it increasingly need.

This was during the Seychelles Presidents three-day state visit to Kenya. Their meeting also resulted in a broad-based agreement that will see more Kenyan agricultural products exports to the Seychelles.They are consuming more.

President Faure said it made more economic sense for his country to import beef and poultry from Kenya instead of countries such as Brazil. As reported by local media, the Seychelles will, on their part, support Kenya in developing its maritime sector especially the fishing industry, which Kenya has paid little attention to since independence. President Faure announced that his country would support Kenya to make the port of Mombasa develop the capacity to act as a fish transshipment port.

Other areas of partnership are in tourism development and cooperation in processing information and intelligence sharing in fisheries and marine security. This is the inter-African trade arrangement that we have always been pushing for. In 2012, trade between Kenya and Seychelles was worth Sh550 million - low but increasing every year. Kenya exported goods worth Sh183.3 million the Seychelles and imported goods worth Sh367 million. Kenyas main exports to the Seychelles include agricultural and medical products. Their exports to Kenya include fish products. In March 24, the two countries signed a double taxation avoidance agreement.

With the tax treaty, reinforced with the current visa exemption, trade experts estimated trade flows between the two countries would increase up to tenfold. This would also give Kenya and opportunity to do business with the wider Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa countries.

After Independence in 1976, the Seychelles developed from a largely agricultural society to a market-based diversified economy. This is the direction that we should take as a country.

We need to undertake fiscal consolidation and initiate economic reforms to adequately respond to the magnitude and persistence of the climate change and population growth that have adversely affected our agricultural sector. We have less land to cultivate and the environment is no longer favourable for farming, leading to persistent drought every now and then. We need alternatives.

For instance, French plantations were the main industry of the Seychelles until 1971, when the international airport opened. Overnight, tourism became a serious industry, basically dividing the economy into plantations and tourism. The tourism sector paid better, and the plantation economy could only expand so far. It is no surprise that President Faure had to leave his hotel as early as 5am on Wednesday to visit the Nairobi National Park.

The plantation sector of the economy declined in prominence, and tourism and fishing became the primary industries of the Seychelles. In the 1960s, about 33 per cent of the working population worked on plantations, but by 2006 it was less than three per cent.

Lets learn from their systems. We must not be short-sighted by the deals we signed with the Seychelles, lets look at the bigger picture. We could have learnt something from the Asian Tigers, we didnt.

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Let's take lessons from Seychelles and divesify economy - The Star, Kenya

National carrier Kenya Airways has secured unlimited flights to Seychelles, boosting its turnaround strategy.

KQ has signed an MoU with the Seychelles Tourism Board which will allow the airline to increase its weekly flights to five from the current four.

But Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, Seychelles tourism, civil aviation, ports and marines minister, said Kenya Airways is free to increase its flights to any number depending on capacity.

"Kenya Airways is not restricted. It can go to seven or more. This is an open agreement," Lalanne said during the signing at the Transport ministry.

Read: Seychelles to import beef, poultry from Kenya, says it will bolster fishing industry

The agreement is expected to promote tourism and boost intra Africa trade.

It is also anchored on aspiration to strengthen the airline presence in Seychelles.

Increased frequency will increase KQs revenues, a boost to its ongoing recovery strategy as it strives to return to profitability.

"This partnership will also underscore the important role that Kenya Airways plays in the African economy development, specifically creating vital linkages between the continent and the international market, on which tourism and other key sectors depend on and thrive, " Kenya Airways CEO Mbuvi Ngunze said.

Lalanne also challenged KQ to ensure it has cargo capacity to handle exports and imports between the two countries, in the renewed bilateral trade agreements.

Sychelleses targets to export hundreds of tonnes of fish to Kenya, while import flowers, vegetables and meat products which they import from New Zealand Australia and Brazil.

Transport CS James Macharia affirmed the government's commitment to supporting Kenya Airways Operations. He said the government was also keen on securing more bilateral agreements

The deal comes a day after Seychelles President Danny Faure arrived in the country on a three-day state visit.

He signed bilateral agreements with the Kenyan government to increase trade, share skills and experience, by coming up with new marketing strategies.

Read: Seychelles President Danny Faure gets full honours on first visit to Kenya

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Boost for KQ as open sky deal with Seychelles secured - The Star, Kenya