Сејшелите беа изложени на центарот на вниманието на Работилниците за патувања во Африка во два града во Источна Африка

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) was represented at two Spotlight on Africa Travel Workshops in July. This is a key business forum that connects industry players and upscale clients on the African continent.

STB attended the 2018 edition of the Spotlight on Africa Travel Workshops organized by Houston Travel Marketing Services in Nairobi, Kenya and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

To kick off the 2018 edition of the event in both cities, a networking cocktail was organized on the eve of the workshops held at Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi and Hilton Addis Ababa Hotel in Ethiopia.

For STB, the Spotlight on Africa Workshops provided another opportunity to boost awareness of the destination on the African continent.

The Seychelles team in Nairobi comprised of STB’s Senior Marketing Executive, Natacha Servina, and the Seychelles’ tourism ambassador in Kenya, Popsy Getonga.

The duo showcased the destination to some 174 participants from Nairobi, in addition to 11 agents from Mombasa.

The Nairobi edition of the Spotlight on Africa workshop saw the participation of 258 trade visitors over two days.

STB’s Senior Marketing Executive, Natacha Servina expressed her satisfaction at the level of interest in the destination, generated at the event.

“I was looking forward to contribute towards enhancing the visibility of our wonderful islands, I believe that the message we wanted to put across was well received. We have succeeded in bringing about a change of mind set in showcasing that Seychelles is a destination for all segments and not only for the rich and famous,” said Mrs Servina.

In Addis Ababa, Seychelles was represented by STB’s Senior Marketing Executive, Elsie Sinon and a team from the Eden Bleu Hotel.

Seychelles saw the participation of 25 participants per session at the event, which was attended by some 90 trade visitors.

STB’s Senior Marketing Executive, Elsie Sinon, said Seychelles’ participation will reinforce the destination’s visibility on the Ethiopian market. She also mentioned that the workshops have provided STB with an opportunity to better understand this market and the constraints faced by agents when selling the destination.

“It is an amazing feeling to know that there are so many people that are so fascinated by our beautiful country. I believe that the Ethiopian market is one worth tapping into as the potential exists to further develop the market,” said Mrs Sinon.

“We have seen the opportunities that exist through the expression of interest from the trade. We have also been presented with openings to work closely together and include Seychelles as part of a combo package with other African countries,” she added.

To add an extra excitement at the Spotlight on Africa workshops, a token was handed out to participants at the door after each session and there was a lucky draw at the end of the event in both cities.

The organisers have said that the 2018 Spotlight on Africa workshops was a huge success.

They are anticipating that the 2019 Spotlight would be extended to tourism trade partners in Uganda and Rwanda.