Visibility is essential for any tourism destination. Some are better at it than others, but Seychelles does stand out as they continue to work the press and as they continue to be press friendly. This is a line of approach that has been taken by the Seychelles tourism industry, and it has paid off. Seychelles stands miles apart from any other Tourism Board in the art of communication and in the art of working with the press.

From virtual total obscurity only a couple of years ago, Seychelles has propelled itself into the limelight with the communication skills of Alain St.Ange after he had been appointed Director of Marketing for Seychelles. His strength in the art of communication saw the creation of the unique and innovative Friends of Seychelles – Press Club. Today, with some 50 members in the four corners of the world, these club members have become like ambassadors for these mid-ocean islands.

A dedicated newsletter for the Friends of Seychelles-Press Club followed, and today this exclusive club has a group of top respected journalists who follow and who are continuously updated on what is happening in Seychelles.

The Seychelles Tourism Board said when they launched the Friends of Seychelles-Press Club that it was for press personalities who knew Seychelles, those who understood Seychelles and who believed in what Seychelles stood for. Seychelles created an exclusive group of influential people who were their allies at all times.

Elsia Grandcourt is now the new CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, with Alain St.Ange as the island’s Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, and together they are continuing in their drive to bring Seychelles tourism to new heights. Elsia Grandcourt has just given a new facelift to the Friends of Seychelles-Press Club newsletter and she first issued the revamped style carrying articles updating about recent events in or about Seychelles.

Minister Alain St.Ange made the front cover of the Routes Magazine as the lead story, followed by the article, “Seychelles is more than just sun, sea and sand,” that appeared in the Khaleej Times of the UAE. These two main articles are followed by the success of a group of young Seychellois musicians on the international scene, and an article about the Seychelles participation at the 2012 Miss World Pageant.

Another great informative issue of a special newsletter for a special group of people so respected by Seychelles – the press.