AIRPORT OVERSIGHT CONVERGES WITH TOURISM REQUIREMENTS
(Posted 10th November 2016)
The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Alain St.Ange visited the domestic airport of Praslin last Friday as part of the series of visits to entities under this new ministry. This preceded his trip to London where he attended the World Travel Market 2016 with a large delegation of Seychelles’ tourism and aviation stakeholders
He was accompanied on his visit by the Principal Secretary for Tourism Ms. Anne Lafortune, the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority Gilbert Faure and also of Air Seychelles Roy Kinnear. Also present were the airport manager Darrel Pouponneau and Air Seychelles’ station manager Norbert Lepathy.
Minister St.Ange met the SCAA and Air Seychelles staff as well as the business operators at the airport such as the taxi drivers and cafeteria manager.
Several concerns were raised during the visit and taxi drivers as well as other operators had the chance to voice out these concerns to Minister St.Ange and his team.
Visiting the area upstairs which used to house a restaurant, Minister St.Ange said this space can be put to good use and contribute to making the working environment for staff more conducive.
Minister St.Ange toured the traffic office and pointed out that this section needs more space, and pointed out that the first floor empty are as options to reposition some of the needed offices.
It was also suggested that certain signs at the airport be repainted or the fonts used be reduced to make them either more appealing or noticeable.
Minister St.Ange also discussed the possibility of relooking at the baggage screening unit to see if it can be relocated from the entrance lobby of the airport. Other areas visited and where there will be changes to be made are the departure and VIP lounges.
During the visit, he was also briefed on the new developments happening at the airport by Messrs Lepathy and Pouponneau.
‘Praslin airport is the gateway to tourism development of the island as well as being the access route for Praslinois and Diguois . As we congratulate Mr Gilbert Faure and his Team for managing a great facility, we remain conscious that this facility needs to be what is expected of it by all users. This is why we did this site visit and this is but one of many visits we shall be undertaking to Praslin and its airport. The Team at the Ministry will remain connected with the Praslin operation as we remain but one working for Seychelles‘ Minister St.Ange said.
Civil Aviation, a portfolio broadly thought to be complementary to tourism, was only added to the Minister’s responsibilities after President Danny Rollen Faure restructured ministerial oversight for his first cabinet since being sworn in the middle of October.
Added information about Destination Seychelles can be found via www.seychelles.travel
