Seychelles eyes new tourism link in Durban
THE Indian Ocean island of Seychelles has the potential to become a strategic springboard for KwaZulu-Natal, particularly for Durban, as a premier east-coast commercial and logistics hub of three million people, when Air Seychelles touches down for the first time later next month.
Seychelles’ foray into this geopolitical region earmarked for massive economic overhaul and growth is likely to push back the frontiers of tourism, travel, trade and socio-cultural ties between these unique multicultural tourism hotspots.
Stakeholders behind the wheel of driving closer socioeconomic co-operation with the independent island nation strategically situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean Rim are optimistic about this interregional development.
Beyond the direct route, between Mahe and Durban, ushering a string of tourism, cultural and sports events, politically-connected Seychellois Hindus are keen to foster socioreligious and cultural links with Indian citizens here. These Indian Ocean Rim neighbours could become a microcosm for multicultural social cohesion and co-operation, hence the significance of the arrival of the Airbus A320 jetliner bringing passengers on the inaugural flight to King Shaka International Airport on March 30.
Historically, South Africa and Seychelles have not been close, unlike the Durban-Mauritius relationship. A new era of diplomatic relations began with iconic president Nelson Mandela welcoming world and regional leaders to the new South Africa in 1994.
In the 1980s both independent island nations were controversially interlocked with the apartheid South Africa.
In 1981, South African mercenaries stormed the Seychelles to stage a coup d’état that went horribly wrong, resulting in the mercenaries hijacking an Air India 707 Boeing plane and commandeering it to Durban.
In 1987, SAA Boeing 747 flight 295 from Taiwan crashed over Mauritius after an in-flight cargo fire downed the Helderberg, killing all passengers and crew.
Now a refreshing new era is unfurling its colourful flags in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Indian Ocean Rim.
Air Seychelles will now compete directly with Air Mauritius for “bums on seats”.
Port Louis was once the popular stopover to India and favourite resort destination for all-race South Africans.
Air Seychelles, flying five times a week out of OR Tambo International Airport, has flown 10 000 South Africans to Mahe, the island’s capital, an almost 20 percent increase last year.
The direct flight is expected to increase significantly once King Shaka is on the flight plan.
Airline and tourism officials said the Airbus A320 jetliner will seat 120 economy class passengers (R5 000 each) and 16 in business class at R15 000 in a twin-cabin configuration and flying time between Durban and the mid-ocean paradise island would be five hours.
Another development is a bold quest by the island’s minister of tourism, civil aviation, ports and marine, Alain Saint Ange, vying for the secretariat of the UN’s World Tourism Organisation.
“I am honoured to submit my Statement of Intent as a candidate from the Seychelles for the post of Secretary-General. This is a huge step forward for Seychelles, and the coming May elections are also very important for the UNWTO,” St Ange said from Madrid, Spain, where he unveiled his official election documents.
St Ange, who leads his country’s airline and tourism delegation to Durban’s Indaba tourism expo each year, including South Africa’s former Air Seychelles’ chief executive Manoj Papa, and accompanies current Miss Seychelles and princesses, believes this region would also benefit if he was elected 2017-2020 leader of global tourism.
South Africans, including Indian-origin people, would be at home in his multicultural country.
“We, the Seychellois, stem from three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. Yes, but we all know that historically we come from five main branches: France, Africa, the UK, India and China. The island is home to Indians, Creole, Chinese and French.”
Before he flew to Europe, he received blessings from the island’s Hindu community at a thanksgiving ceremony at the Hindu Kovil Sangam Temple in Victoria recently.
Veera Pandiyan Pillay, chairperson of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam, said speakers underscored the ex-minister’s pivotal role to boost the local tourism industry and thanked him for recognising Seychellois Indians with the SeychellesIndia Day Celebration.
They gave him a letter endorsing his bid for the UN job.
Through Saint Ange’s campaigning, Seychelles enjoys a sharper global focus on the blue economy.
“Our ocean is a vital unique selling point. We must protect our ocean. Our tourism industry has always succeeded because of our blue economy.
“We’re opening our blue skies to the cosmopolitan citizens of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. I look forward to our airline’s maiden flight to Durban. We want to welcome more South Africans to come and enjoy our warm hospitality, shopping and tourist hotspots.”
David Germain of the Seychelles Tourism Office has unveiled a model of A320 Airbus to Ndabo Khoza, chief executive of KZN Tourism, saying the airline would fly every Thursday and Saturday to the city’s northern flank. He shattered the myth that the idyllic island, its multicultural melting pot of fun in the sun, no-visa policy, attractive hotel rooms of up to R1 000 and the acceptance of all currencies and credit cards was exclusively for business people and super-rich travellers.
“We can satisfy any budget. People think that Seychelles is for the businessman or the elite, but people can get accommodation for US $50.”
No backpackers or pitching of tents are allowed. On the flipside, Seychellois can experience local hospitality and shopping. Dube Tradeport chief executive Hamish Erskine forecasts educational, shopping and commercial opportunities.
“We would want to move cargo there and consumable goods. There is not much manufacturing on the island, so we would service the hotel markets. On the return flights, you are looking at fresh produce, they have a very strong fresh food industry.”
Added airline chief executive Roy Kinnear: “There is a large Indian community in Durban and Air Seychelles will now be able to provide these travellers with seamless, one-stop connections via Seychelles to Mumbai. Air Seychelles also code-shares with Jet Airways to a further nine domestic destinations in India, providing more options for Indian travellers. Many South Africans visit the Seychelles.”
A festive spirit of la joie de vivre! – the joy of living – may embrace this new partnership between the eastern seaboard and mid-ocean archipelago.