Sherin Naiken, CEO, Seychelles Tourism

Board

February 2014

Tourism As A Key Sector For Development In Island States

Nassau, Bahamas

What is ‘the Vanilla Islands’?

• The Vanilla Islands Organisation started off as a concept under the aegis of the Indian Ocean Commission.

• It gathered momentum when in August 2010, six islands of the region (Mayotte, Comores, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius and Reunion) jointly agreed to set up the organisation.

• At current Seychelles holds the presidency.

• A secretariat has been set up and a Chief Executive Officer appointed.

The vision

“To position the Indian Ocean regions as a quality world-class holiday destination that offers unparalleled diversity and one of the last frontiers of sustainable tourism.”

• The VIO was created : – to better promote and highlight our pristine and diverse region which is vital for the

livelihood of its multicultural population.

– To encourage Sustainable tourism development with the aim of preserving the Indian Ocean Island States for future generations is a key component and raison d’etre of the organization.

– To allow its member states to further their ambitions and aspirations of growth and sustainability into the future.

Main objectives

• To increase the visibility of the Indian Ocean region as a tourism destination of choice.

• Foster multilateral agreements with stakeholders on concrete actions with the prime objective of developing the tourism sector.

What does it do?

• The organisation works in tandem with the respective tourism boards of the member states;

• Analyse tourism trends and setting the long term perspective of tourism growth within the region;

• New, unexplored avenues and markets are being identified and innovative concepts such as a regional carrier;

• Improved cooperation between airlines of the member states and the development of the cruise ship industry to promote fly/cruise products.

Plan of action

• Developing the image and branding

• Reinforcing the competences of tourism offices

• Joint promotional actions

• Monitoring performance

• Marketing drives – • Developing regional connectivity between the islands to facilitate twin and multi-

centre packages and open up the region to a wide market.

– • Developing new products i.e. whale route, Inter island combinations, cultural events, eco-tourism products etc.

– • Developing potential secondary markets i.e. USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile,

– • Develop cruise ship segment to attract cruise ship companies to set up operations in the region and encourage more programs to include the Vanilla Islands

Thank you for your kind attention!