Opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles–Allamanda Resort & Spa |18 January 2014

Hilton invests more in Seychelles’ tourism industry

“With this third hotel Hilton is showing the faith it has in the Seychelles tourism industry,” Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange said when he addressed guests at the official opening of the Allamanda hotel transformed into a DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles.

The 30-room Hilton Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa is the third here, joining Northolme and Labriz Silhouette.

From its prime beach facing location, DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles–Allamanda Resort & Spa offers seclusion, comfort and overall well-being with its spa and gym service.

Thursday’s opening ceremony at the resort’s Anse Forbans location was in the presence of the Russian ambassador Valdimir Alexandrovitch Belous, principal secretary for economic policy, trade and investment Dr Steve Fanny, Seychelles Tourism Board chief executive Sherin Naiken, other guests and staff of the resort.  

“As we join the DoubleTree by Hilton family, I am delighted DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa will embrace the traditional values, qualities and characteristics with the brand’s longstanding care culture of the local community involvement as well as DoubleTree's legendary chocolate cookie welcome at guest check-in. We also look forward to offering guests the rewarding benefits of HHonours, our hugely popular award-winning guest loyalty programme,” said Claus Steiner, cluster manager of the Seychelles Hilton Worldwide.

He added that they are proud supporters of local wooden crafts as the majority of furniture and decoration in the lounge and pool bar are locally made and that DoubleTree by Hilton is actively engaged in glass recycling.

Minister St Ange congratulated the Hilton Group on the opening of their third property in Seychelles.

"You started off with the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, then you moved to open the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa on Silhouette Island and now this Hilton DoubleTree Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa property. As a country we value the international hotel chains operating in Seychelles. You and our home-grown properties are today the backbone of the tourism industry, the industry that remains the pillar of our islands’ economy. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and its Seychelles Tourism Board will continue to work with you, continue to support you and continue to ensure that your operation is the success you had expected it to be, but we also expect you to continue to operate within the parameters of the laws of the country,” said Minister St Ange.

He added: “Our country today proudly says that it has all the best in hotel chains and brands. They are all well-established in Seychelles and their hotels and resorts are delivering returns for their respective companies. This situation is set to continue when the year on year official statistics of visitor arrival numbers are analysed, but we need to do more as a country to increase the yield from our vibrant tourism industry. We need more facilities, and we need more activities geared towards our visitors so that they can spend their budgeted tourism dollar for their Seychelles holiday. This is the only way we can increase the yield from tourism and this is the only way to make our tourism industry work for Seychelles and for the people of Seychelles."

Minister St Ange was given the honour to cut the traditional ribbon and he was accompanied by the management and representatives of the directors of the property's owning company.

After the official ceremony the guests had a tour of the resort to see what the clients will experience during their stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles -Allamanda Resort and Spa.

Rudy Jagersbacher, president of Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa, said in his release to mark the official opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa that he was delighted to have added to their Seychelles portfolio such an outstanding hotel.

John Greenleaf, the global head of DoubleTree by Hilton, added in the same release that they were tremendously excited to open their first property in one of the world's primary leisure destinations.

DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa is an inspired addition to Hilton’s global portfolio and they are confident that the hotel's stunning paradise setting along with the offer of ultimate seclusion, comfort and overall well-being will prove a tantalising combination for travellers.