Takamaka opens new retail outlet at airport’s departure hall   |20 August 2022

Passengers going through the departure hall at the Seychelles International Airport will have additional choices in bars and shopping outlets with the opening of a new retail outlet, the Takamaka Bar & Boutique, run by the Takamaka Rum Distillery, La Plaine St Andre.

The Takamaka Bar & Boutique, the biggest retail outlet at the airport’s departure hall, was officially opened yesterday afternoon by the chief executive of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) Garry Albert and brothers Richard and Bernard D'Offay, owners and co-founders of the distillery.  

Present were representatives from destination management companies (DMCs), the business community and staff of SCAA.

The bar and boutique offers a wide variety of international drinks, tea, coffee, including snacks, and also an array of the company’s Takamaka rum products and souvenirs such as caps, t-shirts and bags among other items. Situated on the first floor of the departure hall, the bar and boutique can accommodate around 130 people.

The Takamaka won the tender to occupy the space about a year ago and work on the project was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his opening remarks, Richard D'Offay said that they had wanted to offer the visitors a relaxing experience in a cool setting before they board the plane.

He added that although it has taken a while to complete the project, they are very proud of what they have done to add value to the Seychelles International Airport “and we are sure that it will do very well”.

For his part, Mr Albert said the project by the rum distillery is in line with the authority’s strategy to offer five-star services in the future.

He explained that when the tender was launched, they were looking for an innovative and fresh concept that would add value to the authority’s commercial offerings and that Takamaka has surpassed their expectations.

Mr Albert stated that SCAA is so proud and excited for its passengers to experience this exciting concept as they wrap up their vacation in a relaxing ambiance, sipping a Takamaka Bay signature cocktail and dreaming of another vacation to our islands

“Such innovative concept falls in line with our commercial strategy to diversify and optimise our product offerings and our vision for excellence,” said Mr Albert, who noted that SCAA is confident that the new business venture will perform very well to create sustainable returns for both parties.

He thanked Takamaka for working closely with the authority for the successful development and delivery of the project while on the other side SCAA will be embarking on a refurbishment project of the departure lounge which will further revolutionise the authority’s retail experience  to a further five-star level.

He congratulated Takamaka on its new business venture.

Visitors coming to Takamaka Bar & Boutique, also have the possibility to sign their names on specially demarcated wall, as a souvenir of their visit.  

It is to be noted that the venture had been in operation since Saturday July 30 prior to its grand official opening yesterday.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the opening ceremony as well as a general view of the Takamaka Bar & Boutique.

Text & photos by Patrick Joubert