Much missed: Elvis Dias in younger days
14th March 2024
By Lewis BetsyThis is such a sad time as I have lost another dear friend, Elvis Dias.He died four days after his 66th birthday and with family and friends, I attended his funeral at Our Lady of the Vi... more...
By Lewis Betsy  The scandal of what is happening with the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission is an outrageous insult to the people of Seychelles. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ramkalawan referred to the TRNUC, but he never offered anything serious or concrete concerning what would happen to the victims. I had previously warned that the Commission looked doomed to fail.  Yet it must not fail. The Government must not let the victims down. The truth is that the TRNUC has become a joke for the LDS Government. They are playing politics with it and applying a delaying tactics strategy with the victims.  The time has come to say enough is enough. My case number is No 2 and I am sure by now the Government must have had an idea where mine and all the many other cases were heading. It is not that difficult. We simply want justice and compensation for all the hurt we have suffered since 1977.  Naturally, we need answers to achieve closure.  In the meantime, we are forced to wait and trauma continues to impact families. Those that decided to stay in Seychelles have also suffered, but it was their choice not to bring their cases to the TRNUC.  It appears there is a blame culture going on: We are not children of Seychelles now because we brought our cases to the TRNUC. However, the suffering goes on for all.. For some victims it is too late. They have died with no answers forthcoming. So I ask: Where are the lists and names of the perpetrators? Why is the President keeping the lists from us? Is he protecting someone? Of the few perpetrators who came to the TRNUC, only five or six of them publicly said sorry for what they had done. And that was it. I note that many other known perpetrators are out and about in town, mixing freely with the public. It has become a sick joke and we, the victims, are suffering. The fact is I believe the TRNUC has become such a shambles that no one wants to deal with it. The LDS have the power they want and are cynically running the country without a care in the world. They have no sense of responsibility or duty. The LDS government is trying to wash its hands when it comes to paying the victims – though I see that they managed to find the money to pay all the Commissioners.  Yet who set up this scenario in the first place? It was Ramkalawan and former President Danny Faure. Timing is all, of course, and there are elections next year. We’ve got to watch it, or LDS might use the victims again to get another term in office. The more you think about the issue the more it makes you sick. How on Earth are we ever going to achieve unity in Seychelles when this situation persists?
11th March 2024
By Lewis BetsyThe scandal of what is happening with the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission is an outrageous insult to the people of Seychelles.In his State of the Nation Address (SONA... more...
Hope: Lewis Betsy meets President Danny Faure at State House on 16th March 2017 to discuss unity.
11th March 2024
By Lewis BetsyI write this with a great sense of loss and despair. For decades now I have campaigned for my beloved Seychelles to achieve unity.It is now March 2024 and there is nothing like it in sig... more...
1st March 2024
By Lewis BetsyWe heard optimistic words about the future of Seychelles from President Wavel Ramkalawan in his State of the Nation Address for 2024, but will these hopes be fulfilled?He talked about th... more...
Expert: Alain St.Ange addresses the audience at the African-Asian Union ceremony
29th February 2024
Seychelles tourism expert Alain St.Ange was part of the awards panel that declared Sharm El-Sheikh the Tourism Capital City 2024.The former Tourism Minister for Seychelles who now heads his own touris... more...
Devoted mother: Helen Azolan
31st January 2024
By Lewis BetsyIt was with great sadness that my wife and I said a final farewell to our dear friend Helen Azolan.Helen, a much-loved mother of four, died aged 64, and Seychellois families and friends ... more...
Dedication: Rosie Bistoquet (picture The National Assembly of Seychelles)
8th January 2024
By Lewis BetsyI would like to pay a personal tribute to the life and work of Rosie Bistoquet, a member of the Seychelles National Assembly, whose life has ended so tragically.Rosie Bistoquet, 62 and a... more...
Best wishes: Lewis Betsy, publisher of Seychelles Life
20th December 2023
By Lewis BetsySeychelles Life would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.It has been a terrible time for those hit by the floods and then the massive explosion in Mahe.My heart... more...

Seychelles award for best travel destination is of 'huge significance'

16th March 2018

Promoting Seychelles: The new advertising campaign in Dubai
Promoting Seychelles: The new advertising campaign in Dubai

Seychelles has been named the ‘Best Indian Ocean Luxury Travel Destination’ for 2018.

The award was presented by the UK's high-end lifestyle magazine LUX.

Sherin Francis, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), said: “This award reinforces our prominent position in today’s competitive luxury market. It has huge significance, and we are pleased to be recognised for going above and beyond for our clients.”

The magazine said that for the 2018 Tourism Awards its research team went in-depth to find the firms and leaders most deserving of being acknowledged for outstanding performances.

The STB office in Dubai has meanwhile launched a new marketing drive dubbed the #ExperienceSeychelles campaign, aimed at attracting visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

The campaign will feature street advertising as well as wrap-ads on taxis and buses.

Ahmed Fathallah, STB's Regional Manager for the Middle East, said the campaign aimed to “create an emotional connection and incite the feeling of awe provoked by the beauty of the Seychelles islands”.

Air Seychelles and the STB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend their partnership into 2018.

The agreement will see the two work closely together through joint marketing initiatives, presentations at tourism events and workshops to promote tourism.

Remco Althuis, Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, said: “We share the same goal of putting Seychelles on the world map, which makes this a very natural partnership for both sides.”

Sherin Francis of the STB, said: “This MoU has produced strong results over the past few years and we are confident it will once again make a positive impact.”

This year Mayotte has assumed the presidency of the Vanilla Islands, the corporate name for the organisation dedicated to developing the tourism industry for the six member states of Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte and the Comoros.

Seychelles was represented at the handing over ceremony by the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs. Anne Lafortune. She said: “We would like to push on product diversification, focusing on cultural events and eco-tourism products and designing responsible tourism packages instead of focusing only on responsible accommodations.”

She also emphasised the importance of developing and improving port infrastructures to benefit from the cruise ship market and the development of regional connectivity between the islands. 

The Vanilla Islands brand was created in August 2010. Seychelles was first to head the organisation serving in 2012 and 2013 and will take the presidency again in 2019.

Latest News

Farewell to my good friend Elvis Dias
14th March 2024
Much missed: Elvis Dias in younger days
By Lewis BetsyThis is such a sad time as I have lost another dear friend, Elvis Dias.He died four… more...
The TRNUC is a complete shambles… it is an outrage that Ramkalawan must fix
11th March 2024
By Lewis Betsy  The scandal of what is happening with the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission is an outrageous insult to the people of Seychelles. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ramkalawan referred to the TRNUC, but he never offered anything serious or concrete concerning what would happen to the victims. I had previously warned that the Commission looked doomed to fail.  Yet it must not fail. The Government must not let the victims down. The truth is that the TRNUC has become a joke for the LDS Government. They are playing politics with it and applying a delaying tactics strategy with the victims.  The time has come to say enough is enough. My case number is No 2 and I am sure by now the Government must have had an idea where mine and all the many other cases were heading. It is not that difficult. We simply want justice and compensation for all the hurt we have suffered since 1977.  Naturally, we need answers to achieve closure.  In the meantime, we are forced to wait and trauma continues to impact families. Those that decided to stay in Seychelles have also suffered, but it was their choice not to bring their cases to the TRNUC.  It appears there is a blame culture going on: We are not children of Seychelles now because we brought our cases to the TRNUC. However, the suffering goes on for all.. For some victims it is too late. They have died with no answers forthcoming. So I ask: Where are the lists and names of the perpetrators? Why is the President keeping the lists from us? Is he protecting someone? Of the few perpetrators who came to the TRNUC, only five or six of them publicly said sorry for what they had done. And that was it. I note that many other known perpetrators are out and about in town, mixing freely with the public. It has become a sick joke and we, the victims, are suffering. The fact is I believe the TRNUC has become such a shambles that no one wants to deal with it. The LDS have the power they want and are cynically running the country without a care in the world. They have no sense of responsibility or duty. The LDS government is trying to wash its hands when it comes to paying the victims – though I see that they managed to find the money to pay all the Commissioners.  Yet who set up this scenario in the first place? It was Ramkalawan and former President Danny Faure. Timing is all, of course, and there are elections next year. We’ve got to watch it, or LDS might use the victims again to get another term in office. The more you think about the issue the more it makes you sick. How on Earth are we ever going to achieve unity in Seychelles when this situation persists?
By Lewis BetsyThe scandal of what is happening with the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity… more...
We must pursue the idea of unity, the future of Seychelles depends on it
11th March 2024
Hope: Lewis Betsy meets President Danny Faure at State House on 16th March 2017 to discuss unity.
By Lewis BetsyI write this with a great sense of loss and despair. For decades now I have campaigned… more...
Will our President deliver us the unity Seychelles still desperately needs?
1st March 2024
By Lewis BetsyWe heard optimistic words about the future of Seychelles from President Wavel Ramkalawan… more...
Former Minister Alain St.Ange on top awards panel for tourism
29th February 2024
Expert: Alain St.Ange addresses the audience at the African-Asian Union ceremony
Seychelles tourism expert Alain St.Ange was part of the awards panel that declared Sharm El-Sheikh… more...
A sad farewell to our dear friend Helen Azolan
31st January 2024
Devoted mother: Helen Azolan
By Lewis BetsyIt was with great sadness that my wife and I said a final farewell to our dear friend… more...
Tribute to Rosie Bistoquet, a caring nurse and politician who gave so much to Seychelles
8th January 2024
Dedication: Rosie Bistoquet (picture The National Assembly of Seychelles)
By Lewis BetsyI would like to pay a personal tribute to the life and work of Rosie Bistoquet, a… more...
I wish you a peaceful Christmas and hope we can celebrate 2024 as a year of harmony
20th December 2023
Best wishes: Lewis Betsy, publisher of Seychelles Life
By Lewis BetsySeychelles Life would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.It… more...
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