French winners enjoy grand tour of State House |26 March 2011

They won the trip to our islands after taking part in a game held by France Soir for its readers, initiated by Air Seychelles and organised in collaboration with the Seychelles Tourism Board, to mark International Women’s Day.

At State House, the visitors had the chance to stroll around the spectacular grounds, which have great historical importance.

It was also the perfect place for them to learn part of Seychelles’ history as well as admire the magnificent architectural design of the State House building, dating back to colonial times.

On their arrival in Seychelles on International Women’s Day, March 8, the excited prize-winners were greeted by Air Seychelles’ executive chairman Maurice Loustau-Lalanne and Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) chief executive Alain St Ange, as well as by a representative of Creole Travel Services, who presented each of them with a frangipani garland.

They were the second consecutive group of French women to have won a trip to Seychelles as part of the International Women’s Day celebration.

The first group were here last year, and to ensure a true Seychelles experience both groups flew on an Air Seychelles flight out of Paris with an all-female crew. 

To help make their visit even more meaningful, both the 2010 and 2011 prize-winners were able to meet notable local women holding key roles in our society.

This year’s lucky women met Diane Champion of Creole Travel Services, Srdjana Janosevic of the President’s Office, National Assembly member Ginette Gamatis, businesswoman Daniella Payet Allis, artist Christine Chetty, journalist Beryl Pillay and artist Alessandra Azais, who is also ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Other than visiting various sites on our islands, this group were also able to take part in the 100-minute Solidarity Walk, which took place on the afternoon of International Women’s Day in Victoria, making it an even more memorable experience.

The partners in this project were Le Méridien Barbarons, the Constance Ephelia Resort and Creole Travel Services, as well as the Hotel Coco de Mer & Black Parrot Suites, Sunset Beach Hotel and Allamanda Beach Resort, who all ensured the six winners had an exquisite time in Seychelles.