Second Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel awards ceremony   |02 October 2023

The winners in a souvenir photograph (Contributed)

Annia Constance of Côte d’Or Footprints wins for a second consecutive year

Businesses and individuals in the local tourism industry were honoured and rewarded during the second Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel awards ceremony on Saturday night at the Constance Ephelia Seychelles where service excellence was celebrated throughout the night.

President Wavel Ramkalawan, First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Designated Minister Jean-François Ferrari,  Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde, other ministers, guests, representatives of sponsors, and tourism partners were present to celebrate the achievements of the outstanding service providers in Seychelles’ tourism industry, who have gone above and beyond in delivering exceptional service to their customers, thus demonstrating the core values of the word hospitality.

Awards were bestowed on winners from two main categories – tourism businesses and tourism employees. All winners received a Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel trophy designed and made by local sculptor Joseph Norah and certificate. All the trophies have been individually and painstakingly handmade. Its design represents the excellence and attributes that were recognised on Saturday evening – passion, dedication, a level of service that comes from within – from the heart.

Annia Constance of Côte d’Or Footprints was the winner in the self-catering and guest house employee category for a second consecutive year, while three businesses – Constance Ephelia (large hotel), Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts (medium hotel) and White Sand Tours (tour guide) – claimed the title in their respective category for a second year on the trot.

Villa Bella won the public’s choice award for service excellence andthere was a special mention forTreasure Villa based on its meticulousness and attention that the business pays to details to ensure that its guests are well taken care of.

Singer, musician and composer Jean-Marc Volcy was applauded for his creativity and for composing the song Tourizm i nou dipen which was interpreted by Aaron Jean on the night and Lospitalite Nou Kreolite which debuted at the first Lospitalite Tourism Club Awards last Friday.

More than 160 businesses registered for the second Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel awards and those who excelled in various components of service excellence were honoured and rewarded.

Under the Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel service excellence programmebusinesses were assessed an average of three times with a combination of both planned and mystery assessments to evaluate them against set criteria.

As for the tourism employee category, it recognises individuals who stand head and shoulders above their peers. They are the one who have impressed their employers, peers and others with their passion, dedication, and work ethics. They were all assessed based on the following criteria:  attitude and commitment, interpersonal skills, work performance, personal traits and service excellence.

Principal secretary for Tourism Sherin Francis said she was satisfied with the number of businesses that registered for the awards – both in the business and employee categories – thus resulting in a beautiful ceremony.

She added that the aim of the Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel programme is to see an improvement over time in service delivery.

“I would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists. Making it to the top five means you are doing something good. We are look forward to the third awards ceremony which I believe will be even better,” said PS Francis.

The following are the top three finishers in the tourism business category:

DMC and Tour Operator: Mason’s Travel (first), Ocean Blue Travel Seychelles Limited (second), MC Seychelles Travel & Tours (third)

Large hotel: Constance Ephelia (first), Four Seasons Desroches Island (second), Constance Lemuria Praslin (third)

Medium hotel: Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts (first), Coco de Mer Hotel and Black Parrot Suites (second), Blue Safari Seychelles - Alphonse (third)

Small hotel: La Cigale Estate (first), L'Escale Resort, Marina & Spa (second), Pirogue Lodge (third)

Self catering and guest house: Treasure Villa (first), Cabane des Anges (second), Villa Deckenia (third)

Tour guide: White Sand Tours (first), SeyDiscoveryTour (second), JB Tours (third)

Restaurants / Bars / Cafes: Bravo (first), Delplace Restaurant (second), La Scala Restaurant (third)

Car hire: No1 Cars (first), Advantage Cars (second), Doffay Car Rental (third)

Taxi: Mahé Cab Services (first), Daniel Marzocchi (second), Taxi Services Tour (third)

Hirecraft: Semi-Submarine (Seychelles) Limited (first), Seyscapes Yacht Charter (second), Surfari Ventures (third)

The following are the top three finishers in the tourism employee category:

DMC and tour operator: Ricky Jean from Ocean Blue Travel Seychelles Limited (first), Joel Maringo from Ocean Blue Travel Seychelles Limited (second), Marie-Vonne Sedgwick from Creole Travel Services (third)

Large hotel: Marcus Barra from Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa (first), Deana Marie from Constance Ephelia (second), Hassan Ahmed from Four Seasons Resort Seychelles (third)

Medium hotel: Merla Delorie from Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts (first), Danielle Tirant from Carana Beach Hotel (second), Christelle Jean-Louis from Doubletree by Hilton Seychelles Allamanda Resort & Spa (third)

Small hotel: Jude Magnan from North Island A Luxury Collection (first), Dynise Charlot from L'Escale Resort Marina & Spa (second), Eric Azemia from La Cigale Estate (third)

Self catering and guest house:  Annia Constance from Côte d’Or Footprints (first for the second consecutive year), Kieran Lesperance from Villa Deckenia (second), Manuella Payet from Cabane des Anges (third)

Restaurants/bars/cafes: Marlene Etienne from Le Jardin du Roi (first), Juliette Michel from Bravo (second), Dina Mathiot from Skychef Seybar (third)

Hire craft: Stephen Souris from Teddy’s Glass Bottom Boat (first), Julio Antoine from Surfari Ventures (second)

Public choice award for service excellence: Villa Bella (first), Dilia’s Hair (second), Nicko’s Car Hire (third)

Special Mention: Treasure Villa.

Gerard Govinden