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The aim of the visit was to push for both countries to market tourism through a new twin-destination concept, and Seychelles organised a two-day workshop and press conference, in conjunction with Kenya Airways.
 
“The press conference, attended by some 40 Kenyan newspapers, TV and radio stations, was a great success,” said Mr St Ange.

The official announcement of the partnership was well received, and Stella Gituku, Kenya Airways’ marketing manager, echoed the same message – the win-win situation for Kenya and Seychelles in pushing the twin-centre holiday option as “safari & beach”.

Kenya Airways remains the dominant eastern African airline, flying regularly between Nairobi and Seychelles, and is the one now offering this ideal extension option for passengers arriving in Kenya for a safari and then opting for an exotic beach vacation on one of the many islands with world-class resorts across Seychelles.

The Kenyan and international press have since come out with articles headed “Kenya and Seychelles ink partnership deal” and have written about the new drive during the period of global crisis to market the region internationally as “one tourism circuit”.
 
Television and radio coverage of the press conference has also been very encouraging, with the main Kenyan networks covering the Seychelles relaunch and the twin-centre campaign.

Seychelles hotelier Ahmed Didi of the Universal Resorts group, and Lambert Bonne, a local businessman and the Seychelles-based consul for Maldives, were both present for the press conference at the Hilton Nairobi Hotel. 

The Kenyan travel trade came in large numbers to the workshop, which was chaired by Mr St Ange and the STB’s market representative for Kenya, Sharon Rosalie, with support from Ageda Murbe of KQ Holidays.

All delegates received supporting material to help them sell Seychelles better.

The STB has said it is seeking more such partnerships with suitable countries along Africa’s eastern seaboard to entice more tourists to visit the islands and take a safari vacation at the same time.

Seychelles’ arrivals for 2009 so far show a minimal reduction – only 5% – over the 2008 figure, a success considering the global economic and financial crisis that has hit other long-haul holiday destinations competing with us in the global holiday market.

The stabilising effect is largely credited to the government’s decision earlier in the year to switch the running of the tourist board and all tourism marketing activities to the private sector, which has boldly stepped up to the challenge and managed to halt the downward trend.

A follow-up visit to Nairobi is expected in March next year when the Kenyan travel trade meets to assess its programmes for the year.

“Our visit was also very timely because Kenyan residents are busy planning their own end-of-year holidays, and it is hoped the new promotional campaign will help consolidate some extra bookings for Seychelles,” said Mr St Ange.

Seychelles will be present at all the major tourism trade fairs in the coming months, where a range of private sector stakeholders will showcase the islands’ attractions and unique features.

The next such fair will be the Top Resa in Paris, the most important French tourism exhibition, followed by BIT in Italy, ILTM in Cannes and, of course, the 30th anniversary of the London World Travel Market.

Other marketing activities are also planned, including racing an STB-branded car at a formula race in Spain in a few weeks’ time, a PR event for press and German tour operators to mark the launch of the Seychelles Paradise tanker in Germany, and a workshop in China – all aimed at keeping the focus of key consumer groups on Seychelles.

Mr St Ange said the global economic and financial crisis has brought challenges for African holiday destinations but has also opened up opportunities for cooperation and teaming up.