“Seychelles SMART”, aconsegueix cinc adherents més de Reunió

Five more travel agents from Reunion have been certified Seychelles SMART agents.

The programme initiated by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) was launched in Reunion in 2017 is inclusive of three components.

The programme requires the participants to complete a comprehensive training session about the Seychelles Islands, following which they have a period of one year to sell three Seychelles’ holiday packages. A special educational visit in Seychelles is the last step needed for them to be certified Seychelles smart agents.

The cohort certified is the second group of agents for Reunion. The newcomers to the programme are Patricia Lebon from Lebon Voyages, Celine Defosse of Odysee Voyages, Milles Tour represented by Pauline Vionne, Latifah Badat of Air voyages and Rodolphe Grondin from Metisses voyages.

They received their certification in a ceremony held at Tamassa Lounge and Bar – Eden Island Plaza on Saturday 1st September. The event hosted by the STB was conducted in the presence of STB’s Senior Marketing Executive based in Reunion, Bernadette Honore, Marketing Executive for the Indian Ocean, Daphnee Zahary, Stephanie Ernesta, Reservation Consultant at 7 Degree South and Creole Travel Services Junior Sales & Marketing Manager, Melissa Quatre.

7 degrees South and Creole Travel Services are both contracted Destination Management Companies (DMC) working with the Travel agents.

In her address during the event, STB’s Senior Marketing Executive, Bernadette Honore, mentioned her contentment at having another group from Reunion complete the programme.

“It is a good experience for the agents; it is an add-on to their training as a travel professional. Training our Reunion Travel professionals is very important for STB as an organization. It is important that when clients get to any sales point, they be in contact with people who have been to Seychelles and who can sell a great package with confidence,” said Bernadette Honore.

Prior to obtaining their Seychelles Smart certification, the group traveled to Seychelles for a 1-week educational trip in around the three main Island. This is part of the programme to provide the Reunion Travel Trade professionals with first-hand experience of the destination.

Talking about their experience, the participants were unanimous in commending the STB for such an initiative. They also extended their gratitude to Creole travel services and 7degree south whom they work closely with.

They expressed their satisfaction regarding the educational tour in understanding Seychelles as a product. They mentioned that the experience would help them provide advice to their clients.

To date, some 39 agents from  Reunion island have been trained through the Seychelles SMART Certification programme.

Two more groups of Reunion Travel Professionals who completed all phases of their Seychelles smart certification programme are the line-up for Educational in 2019.