SEYCHELLES ‘WALL OF FAME’ TO HONOUR TOURISM PIONEERS
(Posted 02nd June 2015)
World Tourism Day this year will see the launch of a dedicated ‘Wall of Fame’ at the Ministry of Tourism in their new Espace Building offices, did Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St. Ange announced yesterday.
In a media release just received did the Minister elaborate on the reasons for the innovative idea when he said:
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Our tourism industry has blossomed over the years, and thanks to dedicated individuals, it has grown to become the pillar of the Seychelles’ economy.
The country’s tourism trade sector has seen that there is a need to not just always echo words of thanks to these individuals who have made a mark on the island’s tourism industry, but to honour and recognise them as they have left footprints in this industry.
The call to honour people who have made their mark in our tourism industry comes from the tourism trade private sector.
During his door-to-door visits to tourism establishments on Praslin, Silhouette, Fregate which is now also being done on Mahe, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture took time to listen to those working in the tourism sector and one of the points that came up was the recognition of people who have been here since the start of tourism in Seychelles.
A place to properly recognise these individuals who have been passionate about the tourism industry, who have been there to see it grow and those who have been there to nurture it even through stormy times, is one of the wishes of the tourism trade private sector.
Seeing the importance of such initiative, Minister St.Ange called in a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board Sherin Naiken and the principal of the Seychelles Tourism Academy Flavien Joubert to discuss on this new call to recognize those who have played a role in the tourism industry of Seychelles.
Supporting this idea that has also since been taken up by some members of the press who were in Seychelles during the carnival, Minister St Ange said a committee will be set up to work on this project.
There will be a place dedicated to these individuals as requested by the tourism trade and during the upcoming tourism week in September, it will be officially inaugurated.
Members of the public are being urged to come forward to nominate individuals who they think have made their mark in the tourism sector of Seychelles since the start.
‘Logos and names of the companies, hotels or other places in the tourism sector where these individuals have worked must also be given to ensure that the place becomes a ‘story board’ by itself’ said Minister St.Ange in the presence of Sherin Naiken of the Tourism Board and Flavien Joubert of the Tourism Academy.
‘The history of our tourism industry is a rich one, and so it is vital for the future generations to know about it. This will also help everyone to value the work done by those who have contributed in enriching our history. Through this new initiative, the whole nation will be brought close to our tourism industry and recognise its vitality’ said the Minister.
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture already recognized Artists through a Wall of Fame where they are invited to unveil their own ‘Star’. The Ministry also has a Walk of Fame at the Department of Culture in the National Cultural Centre displays a collection of photos of musical bands and artists. At the Creole Institute a bust of Antoine Abel was unveiled last year in the presence of President James Michel to mark those personalities who had played a key part in the developing of the Creole language.
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Picking up on the request to nominate individuals who have made life time contributions to the sector would the late Frank Payet, who founded the Le Duc de Praslin Hotel & Villas and turned it into one of Praslin’s foremost resorts – his son Robert has taken over the baton from his father – make an outstanding honouree. He dedicated his life to help develop the hospitality industry on the archipelago and especially on the island of Praslin. The recent recognition by TripAdvisor, which has elevated the resort and the adjoining ‘Café des Arts’ into its own ‘Hall of Fame’ after awarding them their coveted ‘Certificate of Excellence’ for five consecutive years speaks volumes of what quality of operations and services locally owned establishments have attained over the years and which were responsible to make the Le Duc such a favourite with tourists.
What this development makes clear is that the Seychelles’ do not only focus on the future of the industry on the archipelago but does not forget the tourism sector’s past, where it came from and in particular who played a leading role in turning tourism into the leading economic force on the islands.
