Seychelles Digital Day gives Brazil a taste of 'Another World’ |12 December 2020
The Brazil travel industry united for the virtual Seychelles Digital Day on November 10, 2020, led by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), in collaboration with representatives from the local tourism industry including hotel partners, DMCs and cruises.
Bringing together Brazilian travel agents and tour operators, travellers, the event displayed the destination and its diversity on thematic panels on the Bureau Mundo platform highlighting various aspects of Seychelles tourism.
David Germain, STB regional director for the Americas, and Gisele Abrahão, STB representative in Brazil, served as moderators and ambassadors of the Seychelles Islands highlighting how being on the islands is the closest one can get to nature.
The event displayed four panels, each centred on a different theme.
The first panel focused on leisure travel, safe tourism, and security protocols with moderator Mr Germain at the helm reminding participants that Seychelles is a safe destination with extensive safety measures in place.
Natalya Samokhvalova from Hilton Hotel Seychelles mentioned the hotels’ ‘CleanStay’ programme created to ensure the security of guests with sanitary measures and their various sustainability projects.
Agnes Hermanowicz from Coco Charters presented catamaran tours with personalised itineraries offered by the company, which is now including the outer islands, and their safety protocols.
Rui Oliveira from Eden Bleu highlighted the hotel’s ideal location, especially as it is close to other certified establishments and their attempts to minimise physical interaction as part of their safety protocols in addition to monitoring guests.
Eric Renard from Creole Travel Services spoke about the company’s online booking system which allows visitors to plan out their entire holiday and reminded the crowd that Seychelles does not only have its beautiful beaches to offer but it is also a cultural hotspot.
Romance was the focus of the second panel, a segment Seychelles has become quite famous for over the past few years, mediated by Brazilian Rangel Vilas Boas, from the gay tourism app Sonder.
Barbara Gajotto from Constance Hotels and Resorts explained the well-preserved nature Seychelles has to offer aside from the luxurious experiences which enhances the experiences of couples and the exclusive activities offered by the hotels themselves.
Bertrand Moussa from Avani – Minor Hotels described the stunning surroundings of the hotel and couple activities they offer in addition to personalised wedding requests.
Hilda Camille from Mason’s Travel brought to light the romantic experiences organised by the company including wedding ceremonies, honeymoons, babymoons, and wedding proposals held in unique places chosen by couples.
Another topic of focus was conscious luxury, which was discovered in the third panel mediated by the Brazilian Elaine Villatoro (creator of Live More Travel More).
Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas’ Lionel Ferrari explained how conscious luxury relates to comfort and elegance, which encompasses the environment, the local community, and their team members. He also mentioned their sustainability efforts and the steps they take to make people feel at home rather than a hotel, creating experiences that are more intimate.
Adding to this conversation, Ernestina Bertarini from Raffles Seychelles emphasised how conscious luxury supports the local community and the necessity to respect the authenticity of a place and reconnect with nature, mentioning some of the hotel’s sustainability actions not just towards the environment and their respect for the creole culture.
Aline Paschoal from Summer Rain tours presented the unique experiences organised by the DMC boutique including the barefoot luxury, comfort and elegance, which defines the Seychelles experience while mentioning that conscious luxury is a combination of innovation, sustainability, and creativity.
The final panel presented the experiences of the exclusive islands in the archipelago, which offer visitors the perfect blend of privacy and luxury with Gisele Abrahão leading the conversation.
Fregate Private Island’s Angelika Vater presented the layout of the private property and the activities and safety it offers its guests.
Maria Alice Cavalcanti from The Global Nomads – Six Senses ZilPasyon brings out the DNA of the establishment consisting of nature, well-being and sustainability, and the value community and local producers bring. Daniela Pescio from Four Seasons Seychelles describes the two properties, with the one on the exclusive island of Desroches in particular, highlighting the beauty in its isolation and mentioning some unique local experiences provided to travellers.
Speaking about the event, Gisele Abrahão STB representative in Brazil stated that the event was a success for the destination.
“We have received amazing feedback from our Seychelles Digital Day. In addition to appreciating the quality and diversity of the various content, the travel industry mentioned the increase in requests for travel to Seychelles and expressed their eagerness for travel to restart in the country so that they may experience paradise for themselves. Now more than ever, Brazilians are longing to discover stunning destinations offering a connection to nature and rich culture which the Seychelles Islands offers,” said the STB representative in Brazil.
With the assurances made by Sao Paulo Governor – the Brazilian state responsible for 70% travel from the country – that vaccines will be available by the end of January; the prospect of travel is promising.
Brazil demand for island retreats is thriving, with the country featuring among the top markets for several tropical destinations which are already open for tourism.
The Seychelles Digital Day event gave the Brazilian Tourism Industry a broader insight into Seychelles as a destination beyond its beautiful beaches and lush environment, showing travellers that the Seychelles Islands truly is ‘Another World’.
Press release from STB News Bureau