Global broadcast: Regis Francourt
27th March 2024
By Lewis BetsyIt was good to have a meeting of the TRNUC Victims’ Association broadcast globally online and hear what was said. Indeed, I hope President Ramkalawan took note.Association official... more...
Musical welcome: A Maore cultural group
25th March 2024
Former Seychelles tourism minister Alain St.Ange has been promoting the merits of the Vanilla Islands.Now an independent tourism consultant, he was speaking in Mayotte, which he visited during a lectu... more...
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...

Our Creole culture will enrich the tourism experience, says new Minister

9th May 2018

Vision: New Tourism Minister Didier Dogley
Vision: New Tourism Minister Didier Dogley

The new Tourism Minister for Seychelles, Didier Dogley, wasted no time in spelling out how he would improve the industry.

He said he wanted to make Seychelles “a model for sustainable tourism to the world, enriched by the Creole culture and the hospitality of our people”.

Formerly the minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, he was assigned the new portfolio in President Faure's April reshuffle.

Minister Dogley welcomed his appointment saying it provided him with an excellent opportunity to shift his efforts: from taking care of the bedrock of Seychelles tourism – the natural environment – to ensuring that visitors get to discover and experience the true qualities of the Seychelles islands.

He explained: “In a world where unspoiled natural landscapes and seascapes are becoming a rare asset, Seychelles still offers a wide array of unique sites with breathtaking beauty and exceptional experiences.”

He went on: “My vision is to use my knowledge and experience in environment stewardship, coupled with a strong partnership with the trade, to ensure that Seychelles becomes a model for sustainable tourism to the world, enriched by the creole culture and the hospitality of our people.”

There have been other developments in the tourism industry:

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) took part in the 25th Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – the Middle East's largest travel trade event. The United Arab Emirates together with the other five Gulf Cooperation Council members contribute a significant number of visitors to Seychelles. The United Arab Emirates alone was the third leading market in 2017, sending over 28,000 visitors.

STB’s Manager in Dubai, Ahmed Fathallah said: “We are hopeful and anticipating to surpass last year's visitor arrivals to Seychelles in 2018 by raising awareness of the destination through our participation in different travel and trade events in the GCC region. The good turnout recorded at this year’s ATM has already prompted us to start preparing for the next year."

Emirates renews its marketing agreement with the Seychelles Tourism Board

Agreement: Orhan Abbas of Emirates Airlines, centre, with Sherin Francis of the STB
Agreement: Orhan Abbas of Emirates Airlines, centre, with Sherin Francis of the STB

Emirates Airline has extended its global marketing agreement with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), renewing its support to the islands.

Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations for Africa, Orhan Abbas, and STB’s Chief Executive, Sherin Francis, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April..

Mr Abbas said: “The Seychelles is a very important destination to Emirates. We will develop a series of joint activities together with the Seychelles Tourism Board and we are confident that positive results will be seen in the short term.”

The agreement provides for the joint undertaking, by Emirates and STB, of various marketing activities, such as tourism trade shows and fairs, trade familiarisation trips, product presentations and workshops.

Mrs Francis said: “STB recognises the pivotal role the Emirates airline has played in developing the Seychelles tourism industry over the past decade. Through the signing of the MOU, the destination is again reiterating its commitment and supports toward the airline to ensure it keeps on serving the destination.”

Irish market potential

A group of 20 tour operators and travel agents in Ireland now have a broader knowledge of Seychelles, following a training session in Dublin organised by the STB's UK office. STB Director for UK & Ireland, Christine Vel said: “In spite of being a relatively small market for Seychelles, there is potential for the Irish market to grow.”

Latest News

Coup victims have their plight broadcast online, but was President Ramkalawan listening?
27th March 2024
Global broadcast: Regis Francourt
By Lewis BetsyIt was good to have a meeting of the TRNUC Victims’ Association broadcast globally… more...
Cruise ships boost tourism in the Vanilla Islands
25th March 2024
Musical welcome: A Maore cultural group
Former Seychelles tourism minister Alain St.Ange has been promoting the merits of the Vanilla Islands.Now… more...
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...
March's News
News Archive