Minister Xasa was greeted at the Seychelles stand by Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture.

Minister Xasa was accompanied by the Chairman of SA Tourism and other high-level South African tourism officials. At the Seychelles stand, it was an opportunity for Minister St.Ange to remind the South African dignitaries of the exceptional beauty of the tropical islands of the Seychelles now fast becoming the new destination for South African holidaymakers. Minister Alain St.Ange also took the opportunity to update Minister Tokozile Xasa and her delegation that Air Seychelles had now confirmed to increase its weekly service to Johannesburg to 4 flights as from January 2013.

“Seychelles has always been the dream holiday tropical island for South Africans,” Minister St.Ange said to press in South Africa after the visit to the Seychelles stand at INDABA. “We remain a top destination for big game and fly-fishing enthusiasts from South Africa. In Seychelles, when you go fishing, you catch fish, and this the South African fishermen just love,” the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture said.

Earlier the same day, the Seychelles Minister St.Ange had met with the South African Minister responsible for Tourism, Mr. Marthinus Van Schalkwyk. The two Ministers discussed cooperation between their two countries and the coming Routes Africa conference due to be held in Seychelles in July. Minister Van Schalkwyk is one of the ministers from Africa who has been invited to address Routes AFrica alongside the Seychelles Minister responsible for Internal Affairs&Transport, the Zimbabwe Minister for Tourism, the President of La Reunion, and the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines among other industry leaders and professionals.

The South Africa TV and written press are also expected to be traveling to Seychelles to cover Routes Africa 2012 and the presentation by their Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk.

“The visit by the South African Minister to Seychelles will be an opportunity to consolidate the friendly ties that exist between Seychelles and South Africa. This will be the first visit by Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, and we remain convinced that he will leave our shores as an Ambassador for our islands,” the Seychelles Minister told the press in Durban, South Africa.