SEYCHELLES REALITY

The year 2014 proved to be unexpectedly more challenging for tourism in the Seychelles than anticipated, as the archipelago’s tourism marketers had optimistically projected a 3 percent growth over their record breaking year of 2013, when new arrival records were set. For much of 2014 did arrival figure lag behind those of the previous year, and only a strong performance in December will make it possible to match last year’s record, with even money at present if it is slightly over or under that yardstick. Insider information from several sides though also confirms that revenues per passenger were down compared to previous years, posing yet another challenge for the marketing team, which only yesterday provided some key data from the 2014 arrival statistics. It is apparent from those stats that Britain, for long in the top five, is no longer even in the top six, having been pushed down the ranks by the United Arab Emirates, Russia and China, the latter showing one o...

Safety and security Crime Most visits to Seychelles are trouble free, but tourists have been robbed. Crime levels are rising, with an increase in both targeted burglaries and opportunist thefts against residents and tourists. The inability of the authorities to catch and prosecute offenders is a concern. You should maintain at least the same level of security awareness as you would in the UK and make sure your living accommodation is secure. Don’t carry large amounts of cash or wear eye-catching jewellery. Use a hotel safe to store valuables, money and passports. Don’t leave valuables in cars or anywhere on display. Accommodation, particularly in isolated areas, should have adequate security, including external security lighting, grilles and overnight security guards. Be vigilant and when outside hotels grounds always carry a mobile phone with roaming capability for use in emergency. Take care in isolated areas and also in more popular places like Beau Vallon and t...

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, a number of world leaders, Crown Princes, dignitaries and senior officials attended the final race of 2014 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. The final race was attended by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Ali Bongo of Gabon, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Kosovo, Madam Atifete Jahjaga, President of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic, President of Seychelles James Michel, and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Vice-President arrived at the race...

Under cover of darkness in the steamy jungles of the Seychelles thieves creep out to harvest the sizeable and valuable nuts of the famous coco de mer palm, and their activities are threatening its long-term survival. Nicknamed "coco bottom" on the Indian Ocean archipelago for its curves like a woman's buttocks, some 40 of the giant nuts have been stolen since the beginning of the year on the island of Praslin. The trees survive, but slashing with knives means the rare palms produce fewer fruit each year, while the seeds themselves are taken off for sale rather than producing new plants. It is a worrying problem for the Seychelles, which features the coco de mer on its coat of arms. Conservationists fear the illegal trade threatens the future of nut, the biggest in the world and endemic to just two of the country's islands. "Shock and horror," the headline of a Seychelles news agency story read after a raid last month in which 10 nuts wer...

Benefit fraudster Wayne Patterson will lose the $3.3 million he has invested in Austria, after the Crown won a case to retrieve it. Wayne Thomas Patterson was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison in 2007 after pleading guilty to stealing $3.4m in multiple charges of benefit fraud. He faked 123 identities to claim up to $28,000 a week for three years before his arrest in 2006. The Crown has recovered the $3.4m that was taken, but it has also spent the past eight years in a legal battle in Austria to recover Apple shares and cash that had increased in value to about $3.3m. Patterson, who employed an Austrian lawyer, has argued that the Crown has recovered what it was owed and the outstanding funds were rightfully his. Despite telling the Parole Board last year that he had instructed his lawyer to release the funds to the Ministry of Social Development, he has continued his fight to retain the funds...

Yes, Seychelles has historical ties with Africa, but it sits in the middle of the Indian Ocean, 1000 miles off the east coast of Africa. So why are Chinese tour operators cancelling trips to Seychelles? Over ebola fears, according to a report in  eTurboNews . Top Seychelles tourism officials have gone to China armed with maps of Africa and this message: Seychelles is Ebola free and safe for travelers. Alain St. Ange, the Seychelles minister for tourism and culture is in China with Sherin Naiken, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, for one-on-one meetings with travel agents and tour operators. They’re selling Seychelles as the new tourism destination for Chinese vacationers. They started in Beijing with CAISSA Travel Management Co. Ltd., Windy Feeling International Travel Service, and Qunar.com, eTurboNews  reports. St. Ange argued that Africa is 54 countries, not villages, and spelled out where Seychelles was — saf...

Psychopathe ? Maniaco-dépressif ? Mégalomane? Rusé ? Tous ces traits de caractère pourraient correspondre à un Sakher El Matri, éminent sympathisant des Islamistes, selon nombre de ses anciennes connaissances et autres collaborateurs. Mais nous le croyions calmé depuis qu’il a été éjecté de la Tunisie et accueilli aux Seychelles grâce à ses amis influents. Il n’en est rien. La beauté de cet archipel posé sur l’Océan indien n’a pas calmé les penchants violents de Sakher El Matri ni son agressivité. Ainsi, il s’en est pris à une jeune mère de famille tunisienne séjournant dans un hôtel de la place alors qu’elle le photographiait. Pourtant tous les Tunisiens savent que le gendre de Ben Ali, qui demandait aux journalistes de le féliciter pour le poste de président de Conseil d’Administration de Tunisiana alors que l’on tirait leurs concitoyens comme des lièvres, séjournait en hôte de qualité à Victoria, capitale seychelloise. Il faut reconnaître que de la haine à l’en...

The Seychelles delegation attending World Travel Market in London (WTM) is saying that all is looking more positive for the island on the UK market. “The continued interest by the UK Tour Operators, the support displayed by the press through the many interviews carried out on the Seychelles Stand at WTM and the new business drive are all positive signs said the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange who was personally heading this year’s delegation to the UK Tourism and Trade Fair. “Airline discussions have been held and new investments inquiries attended to. Our arrival figures are showing signs that the UK Tour Operators are pushing the islands once again. We launched new marketing tools and our e-marketing Department is today more on the ball than ever before”  said Minister St.Ange This year the Seychelles had a big private sector delegation participating alongside the Seychelles Tourism Board at WTM.   htt...

Offshore Entities:

Marco denies involvement with Robert November 5, 2014 The story published in Lanka Herald about Sri Lankans being swindled in the Seychelles has resulted in one of the accused, Marco Francis writing to the website disowning himself from Robert Piksa’s actions. Francis in his response said, “Yes, I am a shareholder in a company with Mr Piksa and yes, we export fish to Sri Lanka, but all our activities are above board. Also whatever dealings Robert Piksa has or had done on his own I cannot be responsible. I have never indulged in nor will ever go into money laundering.” Following is the response sent by Marco Francis. I am writing to you in reply to the article in Lanka Herald on October 30, 2014 title “Sri Lankans swindled in the Seychelles”. In the article you specifically mentioned my name Marco L Francis have “swindled” a number of unidentified Sri-Lankan nationals seeking to do business in the Seychelles. Also “cheated many Sri Lankan businessmen promising dea...

The unexpected and mysterious death of Harmon Chellen in the Seychelles is still being investigated – so far, no clear answer has been found. Harmon Chellen’s body was spotted in the sea on the same day that he had been summoned to a police station after having been accused by an employee of the hotel where he was residing of attempt to rape. The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Luciano Gerard, is to travel to the Seychelles for the investigation of the circumstances of death. The Mauritian minister of foreign affairs, Arvin Boolell, explained that before the ASP can make the trip, a written agreement signed by the Seychelles authorities is needed. Once this is communicated to the Mauritian authorities, the ASP will be in the position of doing a follow-up of the police case. Arvin Boolell also added that they are waiting to have access to the report of the medical examiner, Dr Sudesh Kumar Gungadin, who did the second autopsy on the corpse. The report in...