Seychelles acknowledges press helped in their tourism industry’s success
Alain St.Ange, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, said in Paris as he was being interviewed by a series of French TV stations that the islands continue with the desire to work with the press fraternity, because they have done so much to increase the visibility of the Seychelles.
“We know we remain the pristine and most sought-after tropical islands, but the world needed to know that. Us alone knowing it means nothing, we so needed to spread the message, and this is the press that can best do that. Adverts and advertorial is us telling what we want to showcase, but the press gives the story as seen by an independent person. We were able to invite press members to visit Seychelles, because we had nothing to hide. Our country is beautiful, it is clean and it remains welcoming, so let the press in to see for themselves,” said Alain St.Ange.
It is clear seeing, just by a quick search of the Seychelles Islands on Google, that the last two years coverage by the international media is unprecedented. This is the result of the welcoming approach of the international media adopted by the Seychelles Tourism Board. This is supported by the exclusive club “Friends of Seychelles - Press” launched by the Seychelles for press personalities who know Seychelles, who understand Seychelles, and who appreciate the Seychelles. This exclusive club now has some 30 members spread across the world, and they are kept updated about the developments and happenings on the islands through their own dedicated monthly newsletter.
Only this week the Seychelles moved to consolidate its working approach with the press by setting up their very own PR & News Bureau in London. This office is under the management of Lena Hoareau, an experienced press personality in her own right. “We want to now develop the next stage of knowing the press and working with the press, and to ensure that we are always ready and able to supply what they need as they need it, so that they can write about our islands,” said Alain St.Ange.
The PR & News Bureau of the Seychelles in the UK serves the whole of Europe and falls directly under the Office of Bernadette Willemin, the Seychelles Tourism Director for Europe.
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