ITB 2017 AN ‘UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS‘
(Posted 13th March 2017)
Unlike a small section of the international media, which is attempting to downtalk the success of ITB 2017, has the Seychelles followed Kenya in praising their success at the world’s largest international tourism trade show.
The Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board Mrs. Sherin Francis has in fact described this year’s ITB in Berlin as a hugely successful one for the destination. The Seychelles’ stand was buzzing with meetings throughout the three main trade days from morning to evening.
As for the previous years, members of the Seychelles’ tourism trade members were present in large numbers and feedback received from most of them were very positive and encouraging.
They pointed out that Seychelles was again one of the highly sought-after destinations where everybody are looking forward to forge better working relationship with as they have noticed the huge potential for business.
‘This is very encouraging and supportive of the work the STB office has been doing together with the local tourism trade partners and their counterpart on the market‘ Mrs. Francis said.
Among those sharing their views on this year’s ITB were Lenny Alvis, General Manager at Mason’s Travel and Natalie du Buisson who was representing the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association.
‘It has been an excellent ITB and we see the production going up. There has been immense interest on the destination. Seychelles is booming on the German, Switzerland and Austrian markets‘ Mr. Alvis said before adding: ‘With the direct Air Seychelles flight to Düsseldorf and the Austrian Airlines’ operations which is due to start in October this year, we expect the figures to keep increasing and a better performance on the German speaking territories’.
‘The interest on the market is looking good ahead and the travel trade are very happy with the performance‘ said Miss du Buisson who was there to push the small and medium-sized tourism establishments.
The immediate former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. Alain St. Ange, was also in Berlin to advance his campaign for the top job at the UNWTO and while there met some of his fellow competitors for the job besides engaging with other tourism ministers from around the world who had come to Berlin to represent their respective countries.
St. Ange described his campaign as ‘going very well‘ and thanked the many individuals and organizations which had in recent days handed him yet more endorsements.
Additional information about Destination Seychelles can be accessed by clicking on www.seychelles.travel
