Hotel Updates: Kempinski Seychelles Resort

Kempinski Seychelles Resort SWITCHES Things Up 

On Friday 26^th of  July 2019, managers at Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare switched roles with their employees to walk a proverbial mile in each other’s shoes. The work experience initiative, known as Kempinski SWITCH, allowed team mates to garner first-hand experience of each other’s daily tasks and working environment by “switching” places with another team member for a day.

The SWITCH took place across functions and hierarchies: managers were invited to step into the shoes of their staff for a day – and vice versa – so that each could experience what the other’s respective roles entail. During the course of the workplace experiment, members of the hotel’s senior management got hands-on experience of cleaning guestrooms, handling guest queries and performing security checks, while junior staff members headed up meetings and attended to staff concerns.

The SWITCH initiative aimed to serve all team members with a platform to view and understand the importance and value of each and every single position within the luxury hotel.

“Understanding how each individual contributes towards the overall success of the team and the hotel is critical in order to craft a beautiful performance together,” said the hotel’s general manager, Masami Egami. The experiential learning initiative was designed to foster an ideal environment for colleagues to broaden their horizons and promote a culture of collaboration.

“Participating in Kempinski SWITCH also gave us the chance to discover hidden talents and identify potential career development opportunities,” said human resources manager, Cheryl Marie, who was responsible for cleaning staff housing during her career swap. “As managers, we were given a first-hand experience of employee life and were inspired with fresh ideas to identify areas for improvement.”

The Kempinski SWITCH imitative takes place every year, in Kempinski properties across the globe.

Seychelles in the Spotlight

Seychelles titled Number 1 island destination in Africa & Middle East by Travel + Leisure 2019 World’s Best Award

Seychelles has been named the top island destination in Africa & the Middle East.  It is the third time that Seychelles is rated in the top spot in this category by Travel + Leisure. 

The exotic destination’s nomination results from the annual survey conducted by Travel + Leisure, which allows readers of the New York-based travel magazine to rate their travel experiences around the globe. Readers get to share their opinions on top hotels, islands, cities, airlines, cruise lines, spas, among others.

The best islands by region are rated on a number of characteristics including the destination’s natural attractions, beaches, activities & sights, restaurants, food, people & friendliness and value. The destination’s romantic appeal also features as an optional criterion. For each characteristic, respondents are asked to give a rating based on a five-point scale of excellence.


Boasting lush tropical vegetation, powder-white beaches and clear turquoise waters, Seychelles – a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean came out on top of the readers’ list when it comes to the Africa & Middle East region. 

It is during a cocktail event at the Times Square Edition in New York City on Tuesday July 16, 2019 that Seychelles was revealed as No1 island Destination in Africa & Middle East. 

Mr. David Di Gregorio, Executive Board Member of (APTA) Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa, of which Seychelles is a member, received the Award on behalf of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB). Jacqueline Gifford, Editor in Chief and Jay Meyer the SVP/ Publisher presented the recognition to the destination to Mr. Di Gregorio. 

Commenting on the award, the STB Regional Director for Africa & the Americas, Mr. David Germain stated that the prestigious title results from continuous collective efforts between the Seychelles authorities, including the STB and all its stakeholders. 

“Achieving the distinction of Top Island in Africa and the Middle East for the third time is a tremendous honor for the Seychelles, recognizing that the region has much to offer in terms of world-class island experiences,” Mr. Germain. 

Mr. Germain also pointed out that the STB’s maintains the hard work to maintain solid trade relations with the USA and Canadian outbound tour operators, travel agents and other trade partners in North America. He said that winning the award for a third time, is evidence that the STB’s marketing strategy in North America is working.

“The Award helps to garner recognition and provides a significant amount of visibility for our islands in North America and the region. The STB will continue to share and present the culture and tourism attributes of Seychelles to both the trade and consumers in the various North American cities, with the aim of increasing tourist’s arrival to Seychelles from this part of the world,” said Mr. Germain.

According to latest figures, the North American market has shown an increase by 8 percent from January to May 2019 in tourism arrivals in the Seychelles. 

Seychelles in the Spotlight

Destination Seychelles radiates at the Spotlight on Africa workshop in Nairobi

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) team was present in Nairobi to showcase the destination at the Spotlight on Africa workshop early in July this year.

The team was composed of Mrs. Natacha Servina Senior Marketing Executive and Ms. Gretel Banane Marketing Executive; both from the STB headquarters and from Mrs. Popsy Getonga, Seychelles’ devotee also present to market the destination.

The Spotlight workshops, organised by the Houston Travel Marketing Services, have been in existence for the past 16 years and has created a name for itself in the Kenyan travel trade. The event is supported by both KATA (Kenya Association of Travel Agents) and KAT0 (Kenya Association of Tour Operators).

The 2019 edition saw the participation of 13 Key buyers from Mombasa, Zanzibar and Kampala and other potential buyers from Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

The Spotlight on Africa activities kicked off with a VIP networking cocktail staged in a relaxed atmosphere of Park inn by Radisson in Westlands, which saw the attendance of some 35 Directors and Senior Managers from major key players in the Kenyan Travel Industry. 

The events followed with a two -day workshops held on July 4, 2019 and July 5, 2019 in two different areas of the Nairobi city. 

218 organisations including STB were represented at the sessions and received 325 visiting travel trade professionals. This year’s sessions were conducted in a free flow format with approximately 30 tables with two times three-hour morning sessions. 

STB Senior Marketing Executive, Mrs. Natacha Servina present at the workshop commented on the importance of the STB’s presence at the event.

“The Spotlight on Africa workshop remains one of the STB’s preferred events on the African continent. Our focus is to boost up awareness and visibility of the destination in the African region, and Nairobi is one of the best African hubs that has a diverse population creating the ideal platform for the tourism board,” said Mrs. Servina.

The STB Senior Marketing Executive also added that Seychelles received overwhelming interest from the attendees; as she explained that, much effort were concentrated towards marketing Seychelles as a multi-faced destination.

As part of its participation towards the customary raffle for participants of the Spotlight on Africa workshop, the STB offered two of our famous Takamaka Rum bottles and two exquisite bags consisting of several different spices used in our Creole dishes for the winners.

Hotel Updates: Le Domaine de La Réserve

Le Domaine de La Réserve launches new themed nights at Dan Disab Beachbar

A highlight of Le Domaine de La Réserve for many clients is the chance to join in the fun of delicious new themed evenings, launched recently in our property. 

The location, Dan Disab Beachbar – the latest add to the Le Domaine de La Réserve - is partly open air, casual yet chic atmosphere and offers idyllic beach setting to gather as a couple or with the family. 

The new themed nights are available as follows:  

•          Beach barbecue evening: every Sunday night, from 19h30 to 22h30

 A bountiful BBQ showcasing an array of freshly cooked fish and meat is prepared. With an emphasis on the finest food, the flavourful BBQ includes fish filets, ribs, steaks, sausages and much more!

•          Tapas & Wine: every Thursday night, from 18h00 to 22h00

The Tapas & Wine evening brings into play many of the Spanish flavours, paired with your favourite wine. Served as appetizers before you go for dinner, the cold or hot snacks are cooked live and served as portions in a friendly atmosphere.

On a separate note, a special Pizza and cocktail combo offering has been launched daily, in the afternoon time, from 12h00 to 16h00, also at Dan Disab Beach Bar. Homemade oven-hot pizzas and cocktails of the day are combined to satiate every palate.