21 June 2008
The Seychelles roadshow across France, known as Escapade Seychelloise, was held for the fifth time from May 20-29.
The event, which is organised by the Seychelles Tourism Office in France, comprises a two-week sales trip across France in which partners get the chance to promote their products to travel agents in different cities.
“I am proud to have organised and led another edition of our roadshow,” said Bernadette Willemine, STO for France.
“The Escapade Seychelloise has always been a partner-driven project and it was no different this time around; this aspect of the event has contributed in making this year’s roadshow a great success.”
The partners included 12 hoteliers – Banyan Tree, Hilton Northolme, Ste Anne Resort, Cerf Island Resort, L’Archipel, La Reserve, Indian Ocean Lodge, Hotel Coco de Mer, Constance Lémuria Resort, Domaine de l’Orangeraie, Labriz Silhouette and Denis Island. Most of these have been loyal collaborators since the very first Escapade Seychelloise, together with Air Seychelles, Air France and Cat Cocos.
During the first week, the delegates held dinner presentations in major cities such as Paris, Lille and Bordeaux, and these carried on in the second week when they were delivered over two daily sessions during lunch and dinner.
A smaller neighbouring city was also included in the programme, ensuring that the partners enjoyed maximum contact with the different travel agents in France. One hundred agents were invited to the dinner presentations and 40 to the lunches at venues which were selectively chosen, along with menus that were well in line with the image of the Seychelles Islands and the products the destination offers.
The activities in the Escapade Seychelloise benefited both the partners and the agents and promoted Seychelles still further in the French market.
“Escapade 2008 was a great success and has surpassed our expectations,” said Ash Behar from Hotel Coco de Mer.
“I personally feel that this achievement has benefited the good few hundred travel agents and commercial staff present at the different venues – to better understand and sell Seychelles and our various products. The hard work and team spirit that we all put into making this event a success will be reflected in the sales that we will eventually receive.”
STB
