Air Seychelles thanks partners for making Hong Kong flight a reality |27 March 2013

Joel Morgan, who is also the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, said this during a cocktail Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways hosted to thank all those who have worked with them to make access to the reputable Hong Kong tourist market a reality.

“This first flight to Hong Kong would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of all our partners,” he said.
The event at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Monday evening was also attended by the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange. It brought together Seychelles ambassador in China Phillip Le Gall, Chinese ambassador to Seychelles Shi Zhonjun, trade partners, tourism and airline representatives from Seychelles, Asia and the Middle East, high government officials, reigning Miss Seychelles … Another World Sherlyn Furneau, among other guests.

Minister Morgan said the inaugural flight of our national airline to the well-known Asian destination is tangible proof of the “amount of will that exists between our partners to work together and make this happen”.

After proposing a toast to the success of this new venture, Minister Morgan said visitors to our shores will not be disappointed and at this point he highlighted some of the various characteristics which make Seychelles a remarkable, welcoming and attractive destination for tourists and businessmen from Hong Kong.
He once again called on the partners to continue to market Seychelles in this part of the world.

“I believe we are at the beginning of a success story,” he said, adding that visitors to Seychelles will feel the Creole warmth once they step on board our airline.
“Seychelles has many assets and one of them is the diversity of its people,” added Mr Morgan.

The beauty and uniqueness of Seychelles was also lengthily talked about by the chief executive of Air Seychelles Cramer Ball.
“If you have not experienced Seychelles you have my invitation because I believe it has the world’s best kept secret,” Mr Ball told all present.
Mr Ball also talked about Air Seychelles’ code sharing agreement with Etihad and other airlines.

For his part Etihad’s chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner said this new market is an important milestone for Air Seychelles and Etihad for whom Hong Kong becomes their fourth gateway to China.

“Etihad will also be able to tap into the strong market demand by Hong Kong travellers through the Abu Dhabi hub,” said Mr Baumgartner.
During the evening, the guests had a feel of the Creole ambiance which was kept alive through Creole songs, music and other traditional tunes played by local group Collective Soul, who also flew to Hong Kong on the inaugural flight.