TANZANIA (eTN) - The Republic of Seychelles has, in the past few
years, done a remarkable and notable achievement in tourism development
under a very transparent system which so far has attracted global media
attention and raised the profile of this Indian Ocean Island as a modal
example of an African tourist destination worth a visit.
Transparency and openness within the government of Seychelles tourism
departments has also pulled international media to visit this
fast-growing African tourist paradise island to cover various events,
including the famous annual Victoria Carnival with a welcoming hand from
the Seychelles government.
Boastful of rich Indian Ocean tourist resources and diversified
Creole culture, Seychelles stands as a model of an African destination
which every tourist would like to visit.
The Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture has appointed Tourism
Ambassadors in various countries across the world to market the island’s
tourist attractions in their destined tour of duty nations.
The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Seychelles in Tanzania and
Tourism Ambassador of the Seychelles in Tanzania, Hon. Maryvonne Pool,
has availed herself for a special eTN Executive Talk with eTN
Correspondent in Tanzania, Apolinari Tairo. She speaks all about tourism
and other commitments she has been working on in Tanzania.
eTN: Hon. Maryvonne, what is your major role as a Seychelles Consul in Tanzania?
Maryvonne: My major assignment as Seychelles Honorary Consul in
Tanzania entails my responsibility to represent the Seychelles at all
levels. I look after Seychelles’ interest in the country [Tanzania]. I
work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Relations of the United Republic of Tanzania and other international
organizations. I at times represent Seychelles in meetings held whenever
needed.
eTN: What is the secret behind your appointment as Tourism Ambassador here in Tanzania?
Maryvonne: My appointment as the Tourism Ambassador is to promote
Seychelles at its best. I work closely with travel and tour companies to
promote Seychelles as a tourist destination. I keep the travel trade
informed of new developments in my country where tourism is concerned.
We still strive to work on a two-center destination to combine safaris
and our beautiful beaches.
eTN: I remember you had earlier organized a media campaign
to expose Seychelles tourism here in Tanzania. Is there good success
from this a campaign?
Maryvonne: Indeed, I did! Our biggest barrier of success is that we
do not have direct flights from Tanzania to Seychelles. But other than
this we do get the occasional groups, individuals, and couples. One
popular success is that honeymooners from Tanzania do go to Seychelles
as their favorite honeymoon destination.
eTN: What is your response about the annual Carnival in Victoria [Seychelles]?
Maryvonne: I urge the Tanzania Tourism Board and other cultural
tourism organizations or groups to take part in our “Carnivals of
Carnivals” organized and taking place in Seychelles every year.
eTN: Being a partner with Bon Voyage Travel, a tour and
travel company here in Tanzania, how would you rate tourist business in
this country?
Maryvonne: At Bon Voyage we do both inbound and outbound safaris. I
think Tanzania is doing well in its tourism especially the safaris. The
Ministry of Tourism is well focused on its safari promotions, hence the
travel industry is beneficial for all concerned.
eTN: What do you think Tanzania tourist stakeholders could learn or take an experience from the Seychelles?
Maryvonne: Our tourism industry in the Seychelles has been stable
and with more remarkable growth for the past few years. We achieved this
due to our constant tourism marketing and promotions done by a
well-focused Tourism Board. Development of new tourist facilities is of
utmost importance in the Seychelles.
eTN: Zanzibar is an island destination, similar to the
Seychelles. What should this Island, Zanzibar, do to achieve the best in
tourism that Seychelles has achieved?
Maryvonne: The quality of tourism is the utmost answer. Tourists
who bring in more yield is what should be promoted. Again constant
marketing and tourism promotions are very important. Development of new
products should be given the most priority. Zanzibar should promote sea
activities, like fly fishing and game fishing developments, sea safaris,
small islands’ hotel lodges and resorts.
eTN: There are circulating media reports that the Zanzibar
government is looking to learn from Seychelles the best marketing
strategies in selling its products. What is your opinion?
Maryvonne: Seychelles is ready, and we have had many discussions
with the Zanzibar authorities to have joint promotions. For example, we
have the Vanilla group of islands of which our [Seychelles] Minister for
Tourism is the current Chairperson. Zanzibar should definitely look
into joining the group to benefit from its promotions. I welcome the
Zanzibar Minister for Tourism to hold talks with us, as we are ready to
assist.
eTN: What should Tanzania tourist stakeholders learn from the Seychelles on transparency and media cooperation?
Maryvonne: Seychelles has always been media friendly. We are open
when we are doing the right things. If we have any crisis. we are also
open to explain situations when needed. For example, our Carnival in
Victoria is a big example of how many international media comes to
attend. We keep abreast of developments, and we tell the world about
what we do. It is our pride to work very closely with the media.
eTN: There is lacking a friendly cooperation between
Tanzania’s public tourist departments and the media, as compared with
Seychelles. What is your opinion?
Maryvonne: All I know is that having the media work with you is the key to tourism growth in any country.
eTN: Through your rich knowledge in African tourism, what is
your advice to media outlets here in Tanzania on best options in
reporting tourism?
Maryvonne: I feel there is a lack of exposure of many of Tanzania’s
beauty and what it [Tanzania] has to offer to tourists and holiday
makers. There should be more reporting on Tanzania tourism facilities
and more media features on the establishments and tourist attractions.
There should be a better relationship between the media and the Ministry
of Tourism. More press releases, more press meetings to deliberate on
the development of tourism in Tanzania is of utmost importance.
eTN: Compared to the Seychelles, the image of Tanzania on
the global tourism face has been blackened by elephant poaching. What is
your personal opinion about this?
Maryvonne: I may not comment on this one, but countries of the
world should protect natural resources. Many of what you mention above
can affect the tourism in any country, not only Tanzania.
eTN: Any opinion about marine conservation?
Maryvonne: I am totally requesting the government of Tanzania to
intervene to change laws so as to fight against dynamite fishing in the
Tanzania’s Indian Ocean Coast. Dynamite fishing is a big destruction of
the marine ecosystem and a big threat to depletion of fish in the
future.
eTN: You once published a tourist bi-monthly magazine, The
Africa Travel Review. Are you still interested in joining the tourist
media bandwagons?
Maryvonne: Yes, sure. We definitely need more such publications to
promote Tanzania and to tell the world what this country has to offer.
eTN: What are initiatives that attracted you to establish humanitarian support projects to poor families in Tanzania?
Maryvonne: I have traveled to many parts of Tanzania. The lack of
clean water to rural communities urged me to initiate the African
Reflections Foundation. We raise funds to bring clean drinking water to
many villages in Tanzania as well as initiating sustainable income for
women through agriculture. I believe empowering a woman, you empower
families and communities.
eTN: Which projects are currently under your personal support?
Maryvonne: I am supporting local Tanzanian communities with water
wells. I am embarking on a project whereby school children will be given
a three-liter gallon to take water back home after their studies. This
will help them and their family members have clean drinking water at
their homes. This will also teach the young people of their
responsibilities to help at their households.
eTN: Are you proud to be a travel philanthropist?
Maryvonne: Yes! I am really proud to be a philanthropist. I was
taught to give back to those in need from my father who was a great
philanthropist in the Seychelles.
eTN: I am informed that you are running solar energy
projects here in Tanzania. Is it connected to a climate change
initiative?
Maryvonne: I believe the way forward to save our planet is to go
green. I would love to see tourism establishments go solar and utilize
other green energy efficiencies. We in Tanzania should educate the rural
people to use alternate energy to save them from cutting trees for the
use of charcoal. Cutting trees, forest destruction, is the cause of
climate change.
eTN: Any comments from your side?
Maryvonne: Let us save Tanzania from climate change. Let us
establish more environment-friendly tourism products. Tanzania is now my
primary home, and my advice is that tourism education should be taught
in schools.
eTN: Thank you so much Hon. Maryvonne Pool for availing your time for eTN Executive Talk.
Maryvonne: Thank you as well and best regards.
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