French success for STB’s marketing team |12 March 2009

                               
Mr St Ange (photo above) addressing the tour operator in Paris

New marketing director for tourism Alain St Ange and his delegation, including the Paris-based regional manager Bernadette Willemin, said they are very satisfied with the meetings and now expect the same response and enthusiasm from other markets they intend to visit on their European tour.

Mr St Ange said this was the ideal opportunity for the French partners to be updated on Seychelles’ new marketing strategy and also on the recent changes at the STB.

He believed the interaction was positive and will help the board’s new drive to consolidate the country’s tourism industry.
At the same time, the working sessions allowed the French tour operators to ask questions and voice their own concerns and suggestions, he said.

These gave the Seychellois delegates an insight into the challenges now faced and showed how they might turn these around to ensure the country stays competitive in today’s marketplace.

The press conference at the Coco de Mer restaurant in Paris for the French tourism media was held to ensure there is a “connection” between all partners and that the tourism trade is told of the new developments.

In this way, French tour operators will understand that everyone has the same vested interest in adjusting to current changes in Seychelles.

“This was also a great success and it rekindled interest in the islands,” said Mr St Ange.
 “The tourism press had an existing soft spot for Seychelles and they were impressed with the government’s move to allow the country’s private sector to be responsible for guiding its own industry.”

Mrs Willemin said afterwards that Seychelles should not lose time in building on the enthusiasm and support of the French trade, adding that a number of press visits here are already lined up, to be followed by coverage in some important publications.

Mr St Ange and his delegation also held a meeting with Claude Morel, Seychelles’ ambassador in Paris, and later – together with Louis D’Offay, chairman of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association – held a private meeting with French Minister Rama Yade at her offices at the Quai d’Orsay, which was an opportunity to hear her impressions of her recent private visit to Seychelles.

The French capital was the first stop for Mr St Ange and his team since his appointment to the new post last week, and he was looking forward to further meetings in Berlin, where Vice-President Joseph Belmont joined the delegation to reinforce a new campaign for the islands.

Other such meetings are planned for Moscow next week.