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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

■ SEYCHELLES: Air Seychelles, Seychelles Tourism Board sign MoU to promote the archipelago worldwide.

Air Seychelles
Air Seychelles (HM) and the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at increasing Seychelles’ visibility as a destination around the world by leveraging the airline’s expanding international network and growing number of airline partners.

The agreement was signed by Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Elsia Grandcourt, STB’s Chief Executive Officer, at a ceremony held in Mahé, in the presence of Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St. Ange; Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Joel Morgan; and Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Naiken.

Under the new agreement, both parties will jointly explore ways to work together to promote Seychelles around the world, providing more opportunities for visiting journalists, travel agents, and tour operators.

Seychelles Tourism Board
Mrs. Grandcourt said: 
I am grateful we have been able to sign this MOU today which reaffirms our engagement with the national carrier in promoting the Seychelles destination. We have already been working very closely together and I believe with this signing today, we can only look at more positive things in the future.
Cramer Ball said the airline’s expanding international schedule and partnership strategy will be a key enabler of boosting tourism and contributing to the growing diversification of visitors arriving to Seychelles.
“This is an exciting time for Air Seychelles. We have had an incredible year. We took delivery of our first Airbus A330-200 last year, and next week we will welcome our second. We are looking to expand our network to over 750 destinations weekly to and from Seychelles. We see great opportunities in markets like Hong Kong, Greater China, Europe, South East Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. Throughout the year we will be expanding our airline partnerships and expanding our links to these destinations,” said Mr. Ball.
“The signing of this MOU, our partnership with STB, is fundamental to the future of how we promote Seychelles around the world. This new bond is a big part of the future of Air Seychelles and we’re delighted,” he said.
Ministers St. Ange and Morgan added that through Air Seychelles' partnership with Etihad Airways,they would seek more partnerships in Africa, South East Asia, Europe and Eastern Europe.