INTER ISLAND FERRY TURNS FIVE
(The Cat Cocos as seen during a past visit to the Seychelles)
The high speed ferry between the Seychelles main island of Mahe to the archipelagos second island Praslin over the weekend celebrated 5 years in operations, five years of commercial success and five years of taking tourists and Seychellois to and from the main islands, including La Digue, which is served by a smaller version of the catamaran and crosses between Praslin and La Digue within about 20 minutes. The cost of a trip is different for tourist visitors and locals, and unlike Air Seychelles which a few months ago removed the lower fares for Seychellois and now charges one uniform fare, residents on the islands pay less compared to tourists, a welcome gesture and financial relief to the people in times of inflation and economic challenges.
The one hour trip, especially the early morning departure, are regularly fully booked as tourist visitors stream across to Praslin for a day trip, visiting the Vallee de Mai to see the fabled Coco de Mer, to tour the islands legendary beaches, or, upon prior arrangement play a round of golf on the Constance Lemuria Resorts championship 18 hole course.
It was also learned through a regular source that the company has decided to purchase a second large high speed ferry to not only meet growing demand but also permit for more charters, when corporate groups from the islands want to give their staff a unique outing or when tourists as part of an incentive group travel require exclusive services, at a cost of course to them and an added profit to the ferry owners.
Over 100 Seychellois are employed by the company, from skippers over engineers to service staff on board and of course ticketing and sales personnel and administrative staff at the offices in Victoria. Owned by Mr. Joe Albert, who is also the principal proprietor of La Digues leading resort Domain de lOrangerie.
Visit www.seychelles.travel for more information on the archipelagos resorts, hotels, guest houses, private villas and self catering establishments and how to get from one island to the other. Happy Birthday Cat Cocos and until we meet again.
