The Seychelles island of Praslin is set to become more involved in projects initiated by the island’s Ministry of Tourism & Culture. This move will make way for the Seychelles’ second most-populated Island, with its pristine Vallee de Mai and Fond Ferdinand nature reserves, to market the island’s exotic attributes and sell its unique points through the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Body, as well as a key asset of the Seychelles archipelago.

The Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, while on an official stop over on Praslin to host the tourism trade public meeting, has met with the two elected members of the National Assembly for the island, as well as the District Administrators of both Grand Anse and Baie St.Anne Praslin to share the good news of Praslin’s acceptance and recognition as part of the Vanilla Islands Regional Body. This move has enticed the authorities of Praslin to work together with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to unlock the marketing potentials of their island.

In a lunch meeting, at Paradise Sun Hotel of Praslin with the Praslin island respective governmental institution representatives, Minister St.Ange outlined the importance for Praslin to have its own tagline, promotional flyers, and website as marketing tools to raise the island’s visibility in international tourism fairs and road shows.

“Praslin has had a new door open and now needs to be more innovative in its marketing approach. The key is to identify the island’s unique selling points, which make the island special,” Minister Alain St.Ange said

The Seychelles Minister also spoke about Praslin’s participation in “Festival Kreol,” Seychelles annual festival celebrating Victoria as the Creole capital of the world and also to be showcased at the annual Carnaval International de Victoria.

For the 2012 Festival Kreol, the heart of Victoria will be transformed from October 26-31 into a small Creole village. Each village will depict its culture, gastronomy, and promotional materials of its respective islands and countries. Five international delegations, including Mauritius, Rodrigues, Reunion, La Louisiana, will have their individual stands to promote their country’s main assets. Praslin and La Digue as two different islands of Seychelles’ archipelago will join with the community of Creole-speaking countries to showcase their islands’ music, dance, and gastronomy. This year, Mexico has requested to join the Kreol Festival to bring support to this unique display of the Creole culture.

Minister Alain St.Ange has asked the elected members of the National Assembly and the Praslin District Administrators to use this festival and the marketing within the Vanilla Islands to put the name of Praslin in the forefront.

Speaking on behalf of her working colleagues, Mrs. Esther, elected member of the National Assembly for Baie Ste. Anne Praslin. said that the island is “committed to come on board through these projects and to make it work for Praslin.”