Tourism academy learners and staff embark on international exposure programmes |24 October 2026

Staff and learners in a souvenir photograph after they had been presented with their travel documents

Staff, learners and management of the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) came together yesterday morning for a special send-off ceremony for delegates travelling to the Maldives and Nairobi, Kenya.

The participants will take part in the 2026 Cross Exposure Programme in the Maldives and the Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa 2026 in Kenya. These initiatives provide valuable opportunities for professional development, cultural exchange and leadership growth, while enabling participants to represent the Academy and Seychelles on the international stage.

Cross exposure programme in the Maldives

The Staff Cross Exposure Programme in the Maldives is made possible through STA’s partnership with Universal Resorts.

The initiative was first launched in 2024, when two staff members participated in a three-week cross-exposure attachment in the Maldives. Following its success, a second cohort comprising six staff members completed a similar three-week attachment in January 2026, gaining valuable international exposure and professional experience.

Building on these achievements, STA is once again continuing the collaboration by sending six staff members from a diverse range of academic disciplines to participate in the 2026 Cross Exposure Programme.

The programme will enable participants to broaden their knowledge, enhance their professional skills and gain valuable insights into international hospitality and tourism operations.

The delegation comprises:

• Samentha Rose – Head of Programme, Food and Beverage
• Velma Agricole – Culinary Arts Programme
• Christophe Camille – Culinary Arts Programme
• Irinie Elizabeth – Rooms Division Programme
• Julie Julie – Rooms Division Programme
• Pithra Matombe – Spa and Beauty Therapy Programme

During their attachment, participants will be placed at several leading resorts in the Maldives, where they will gain first-hand industry experience, exchange best practices with hospitality professionals and strengthen their expertise in their respective fields.

The experience is expected to further enhance the quality, relevance and industry alignment of training delivered at the Academy upon their return.

STA congratulates the participants and wishes them a rewarding and enriching experience as they represent both the Academy and the Republic of Seychelles abroad.

Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa 2026

A second STA delegation will travel to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in the Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa 2026, which will be held at Strathmore University from October 26 to 27, 2026.

The annual event serves as a prelude to the Future Leaders Challenge Middle East and Africa, scheduled to take place in Dubai in 2027.

Held under the patronage of Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, this year’s edition is expected to be the largest Future Leaders Challenge gathering in Eastern Africa to date. The event will be delivered alongside the School Directors Alliance Summit, bringing together industry leaders, educators, government representatives and aspiring tourism and hospitality professionals from across the region.

Participants from 12 countries will take part, namely:

• Burundi
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Ethiopia
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mauritius
• Rwanda
• Seychelles
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Tanzania
• Uganda

More than 30 institutions, including Strathmore University and Boma International Hospitality College, together with over 216 future leaders, are expected to participate.

Held under the theme, ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Workforce Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship in Hospitality and Tourism’, the event aims to strengthen collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders while addressing workforce development opportunities and challenges in the tourism sector.

As part of the wider Future Leaders Platform, a global workforce development ecosystem for hospitality and tourism, the Challenge seeks to bridge the gap between education and industry, encourage collaboration over competition in talent development and equip young people with the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven tourism environment.

Participants will work in teams to develop innovative solutions to real industry challenges, guided by briefs from tourism and hospitality operators and assessed by industry professionals. The programme will also feature workshops, networking opportunities and collaborative sessions designed to strengthen partnerships between educational institutions, employers and government agencies.

Representing the Seychelles Tourism Academy at the competition will be:

• Petrica Bastienne – Culinary Arts
• Kallen Thomas – Food and Beverage
• Dion Alcindor – Travel and Tourism
• Ginnie Maillet – Spa and Beauty Therapy

The learners will be accompanied by Richard Mathiot, director of the Seychelles Tourism Academy, and Gemina Jeewoot, who will serve as the Guiding Teacher.

Both the Maldives Cross Exposure delegation and the Future Leaders Challenge delegation will depart Seychelles on October 25, 2026, proudly representing the Academy at these important international professional and educational development initiatives.

“These opportunities provide valuable international exposure for both our staff and learners, enabling them to exchange knowledge, build professional networks and bring back best practices that will contribute to the continued development of hospitality and tourism education in Seychelles.”

Contributed by STA