The mission of the Seychelles Small Hotels & Establishments Association (SSHEA) is to help small hotels and establishments enhance their offerings while maintaining traditional Kreol hospitality practices and values.
250 tourism stakeholders attended the organization’s first gala dinner at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino .
The Hon. Minister of Tourism and Foreign Affairs Sylvestre Radegonde, the Seychelles Minister, opened the session.
Also, outspoken former minister Alain St. Ange explained the importance of Unique Selling points. St. Ange is a vice president for the World Tourism Network, a global association that focuses on assisting SMEs in this competitive tourism sector.
SSHEA members are looking for greater visibility to better promote their vital niche.
Present at the launch were members of the Diplomatic Corps, high-level representatives from diverse corporate organizations, proprietors of small tourism establishments, and SSHEA members from Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. Mr. Peter Sinon, Founding Chairperson of the SSHEA, also took the role of Master of Ceremony.
Minister Sylvestre Radegonde pledged his continued commitment and support to the small establishments in Seychelles, which he visits some every Friday.
He stressed the need for all tourism stakeholders to work together to keep the destination attractive and pristine by practicing sustainable tourism. He warned against practices that may kill the goose that lays the golden egg and urged caution from all stakeholders.
Mr. Alain St.Ange started his talk by immediately dispelling the perceived dichotomy and rivalry between the big & small hotels.
He said that the tourism industry relies on all its stakeholders, and it is necessary that the islands all pull in the same direction and work as a coordinated team.
“It may be true that there are specificities amongst groups and levels of services on offer, but there is no doubt that we must all do our respective parts to the best of our respective abilities to encourage visitors to return or to positively recommend Seychelles in their respective reviews and word of mouth.”
Mr. St Ange noticed that when he looked around, he saw sizeable corporations such as Seybrew, ISPC, Takamaka Rum distillery, the Banks, Eboo, and others who had either sponsored the event or paid for their tables of 10 guests or more.
Former Minister St.Ange pointed out that each and every guest is part of Seychelle’s unique selling points – ensuring that the visitor to Seychelles has a memorable experience that will either bring him or her back or recommend with some insistence for family and friends to follow in their footsteps to come and experience Seychelles.
The event had all the ingredients for a successful, if not excellent, venue for good food, drinks, music, dancing, and networking that ended happily after almost four hours of drinking and dancing.
Peter Sinon, Chairman of the SSHEA, Minister Sylvestre Radegonde, Former Minister Alain St.Ange
(eTN):Small Hotels in Seychelles: For the Kreol touch! | re-post license | post content