Seychelles scoops numerous World Travel awards |20 September 2014

Seychelles’ tireless efforts to position its destination as a regional leader of excellence gained recognition during the 2014 World Travel Awards.

Seychelles nominees were in the categories of: Leading Beach Destination, Airline Business Class, Cabin Crew, Cruise Destination, Cruise Port, Green Resort Hotel Brands and Villa Resorts and came out on top in the Indian Ocean region. Voted by travel agents worldwide, Seychelles outshone Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion and walked away with World Travel Award for Best Destination.

Air Seychelles, the country’s national airline, scored the highest points, surpassing Air Mauritius, Maldivian and Air Austral for leading Airline Business Class.

The airline’s endless investment to build a star line crew by excellence was rewarded with the title of the region’s leading Cabin Crew. With these two awards Air Seychelles proved beyond any doubt that it is by far better positioned in the region as the leading airline in front of its competitors – Air Austral, Air Mauritius, Air Madagascar and Maldivian.

Seychelles Port Authority’s drive to continuously improve its infrastructure for cruise liners and position Port Victoria as a model in the region was hailed when it won the leading Cruise Port title. In the Cruise Destination category Seychelles was also positioned first.

North Island scooped the title of leading Green Resort. Eight Indian Ocean Resort & Spas were nominated in this category. Last but not least Hilton Hotel & Spa scooped two awards in leading Hotel Brand and leading Villa Resorts.

 “To receive multiple awards across Labriz and Northolme from the World Travel Awards is an outstanding privilege and a great honour for the hotels and for all team members,” said Claus Steiner, cluster general manager – Seychelles Hotels.

 Mr Steiner added: “Both Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort and Spa and Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa welcome guests from many different countries and I am delighted that our continuous efforts to offer superior levels of personalised service have once again been globally recognised. I would like thank our guests and the hardworking hotel team members who deserve this honour and the credit for consistently exceeding guest expectations. I would also like to extend a warm and sincere thank you to the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Seychelles government for all their support, allowing us to operate successfully.”

World Tourism Award was initiated in 1993. Today it is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality with winners setting benchmark to which all others aspire. Since the award was launched Seychelles has always stand as one of the winners.

 The Seychelles Tourism Board has congratulated all the winners on their achievements.

“I would like to congratulate each and every one of the winners for their achievements. This will surely give Seychelles good visibility. These awards serve as testament that as small as we are, we still are very much relevant in today’s world of tourism!,” said Sherin Naiken, chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board

 World Travel Award also recognises hotels in countries worldwide which portray excellence. Seychelles winners are Hilton Seychelles Northolme & Spa as leading Boutique; Raffles Praslin, leading hotel, Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort& Spa leading resort, Hilton Seychelles leading Spa and enchanted resort leading villa.