More tourism commission agents undergo training |02 November 2019

Mr Lablache conducting the training session

A group of eight tourism commission agents took part in a one-day training to enhance their knowledge and skills so as to ensure that visitors get the best possible service during their stay in Seychelles.

The training, organised by the tourism department, was held at the National House and was facilitated by Terry Lablache from HMC (PTY) Ltd.

Participants from Mahé and Praslin attended this course and the goal was to allow them to know more about this service. They were able to learn about the fundamentals of customer service, personal hygiene/grooming, the Tourism Commission Agent code of conduct, sales techniques, handling complaints, among others.

The principal secretary for tourism, Anne Lafortune, welcomed the participants and noted that the training also addresses various deficiencies in relation to commission agents such as complaints of substandard services.

“You will be the first ones that will portray Seychelles and we at the ministry want you to take the job seriously and operate legally. The more training you get, your clients will be happy.”

Aside from sale techniques and effective customer service, the agents were educated by officers from the Seychelles Ports Authority on the procedures for getting on the port and the manner in which they should behave while at the port.

This is because commission agents often sell tours and other services to tourists at the port when cruise ships come in and it has been noted that there are some illegal agents operating as well.

The commission agents were subsequently presented with their certification by PS Lafortune during a brief ceremony at the National House. The certificate obtained will now allow unlicensed tourism commission agents to apply for a license with the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA).

Training for tourism commission agents started in 2017 and so far more than 80 people have been trained.