Tourism Seychelles recently hosted two exclusive VIP appreciation evenings in Warsaw, Poland, and Prague, Czech Republic, as part of its continued efforts to strengthen relationships with key trade partners in Central Europe. The events brought together top-performing travel agents and tour operators from each market in an intimate setting focused on informal networking, partnership appreciation, and celebration.
Tourism Seychelles was represented by its Director General for Destination Marketing, Mrs Bernadette Willemin, and Manager for Russia & CIS, Mrs Lena Hoareau. The gatherings also saw the participation of leading local DMC partners, including Damien Hoareau (Welcome Travel), Normandy Salabao (Creole Travel Services), Gerhard Bartsch (Mason’s Travel), Olga Fedorenko (7° South), and Zahir Moosa (Luxe Voyages Ltd).
The evenings were designed to recognise and thank partners for their ongoing support in promoting Seychelles as a premier travel destination, while reaffirming Tourism Seychelles’ commitment to backing their efforts.
Rather than follow the conventional workshop format, the gatherings embraced a more relaxed atmosphere that encouraged genuine conversations. Guests were treated to Seychelles-inspired cocktails, a generous buffet, and themed décor reflecting the islands’ natural beauty and warm hospitality.
Each evening carried a distinct theme. The Warsaw event featured an elegant all-white dress code, symbolising the purity and exclusivity of Seychelles as one of the world’s last untouched paradises. In contrast, the evening in Prague embraced a colourful tropical theme, celebrating the vibrancy and unique biodiversity that defines the destination.
Speaking about the success of the events, Mrs Willemin stated: “These evenings, other than simply being social events, were a heartfelt thank you to our loyal partners who continue to believe in Seychelles and bring our story to life in their markets. It’s important that we maintain these close connections and create opportunities to meet outside of a business setting. Our partners are an extension of the Seychelles brand, and we are truly grateful for their ongoing support.”
Mrs Lena Hoareau added that the goal was to create an atmosphere that reflected the essence of Seychelles, relaxed, authentic, and celebratory.
“We wanted to remind our partners why they were enthralled by Seychelles in the first place, enough to choose to sell the destination. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re encouraged to continue with similar initiatives in the future,” she explained.
Both events were exceptionally well attended, highlighting the strong relationships that Tourism Seychelles has nurtured in these key source markets. With travel demand continuing to grow across Central Europe, the department is optimistic about future opportunities and remains committed to supporting its trade partners through ongoing engagement and strategic collaboration.
Tourism Seychelles extends its sincere thanks to all guests who attended and looks forward to building on this momentum in the coming months.
