Seychelles, North Island score big in Condé Nast’s reader awards |16 September 2006

Top honours go to North Island, which has been named the best hotel in the world by Condé Nast readers, and also scores the highest among all of the entries worldwide, regardless of category. “The exclusive private island is both an ecologist’s dream and wonderfully relaxing,” the magazine says of North.

Seychelles is also the runner-up in the category of “best island,” finishing behind the Maldives overall but scoring highest for “greatest variety of attractions” and the “most beautiful scenery.”

The scores were based on questionnaires sent out to Condé Nast Traveller subscribers, asking them to choose the best in world travel – from destinations, hotels and spas to airlines and airports – based on various criteria, including service, safety and value for money.

The chairman and CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, says: “We’re delighted that Seychelles ranked so highly in the Condé Nast Traveller Reader Awards. It’s a clear indication that we are known as one of the most desirable places on Earth to visit, but it also presents us with the challenge of reaching the number one spot, and we can do this if we continue to work toward bringing about a more enabling environment for our tourism industry to reach greater heights."

On Condé Nast’s World’s Top 100 of best overall scorers regardless of category, on which North Island comes out first worldwide, Seychelles as a destination is placed 11th, making it the only country to have two entries in the top 12.

Commenting on North's achievement, director Andy Payne, who was also present at the award presentation ceremony, says: “It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the entire North Island team – a committed staff who has worked tirelessly and passionately to exceed our guests’ expectations. Not only will this put North Island on the map for future tourism, but also the islands of the Seychelles which we are very proud to be part of.”

“North Island does not have a hotel feel,” adds Mr Payne, “It is a place where guests can come and truly relax and be who they are. We want our guests to treat North Island as if it were their own. Guests are expecting more out of their travel spend these days, as so obviously indicated by the Condé Nast readers. Our challenge therefore is to maintain our many points of difference, and increase the refinement of the product. It is our commitment to spoil every generation.”

Bruce Simpson, general manager of North Island, also adds his thanks and congratulations to the people and Government of the Seychelles, who have contributed in no small way to this great achievement.

"The friendliness and support of all Seychellois right through the tourism support chain is gratefully acknowledged in contributing to the overall guest experience in Seychelles and that has made this award possible," Mr Simpson says.

Running in the same September-October issue of Condé Nast Traveller is a 12-page supplement dedicated solely to Seychelles, with promotions and descriptions of various hotels and also Air Seychelles.

Earlier this year, Seychelles also received the distinction as the best island destination in the Middle East and Africa, in the Travel & Leisure ‘World’s Best’ readers’ awards.