Zanzibar, Seychelles plan joint tourism programme

By Correspondent

 

Zanzibar Second Vice President Ali Seif Idd has invited visitors from all over the world to visit Tanzania which is a unique tourist destination with spectacular attractions to offer them.

He made the remarks during a press conference in the outskirt of Mahe Island in Seychelles, graced by many dignitaries including the Minister of Tourism from Zimbabwe Walter Mzembi, Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Tourism Board Alain St. Ange, Dionne Warwick who is the Goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization- FAO.

“As we celebrate the Carnival in Seychelles, I would like to welcome you all to Tanzania to visit Ngorongoro Crater which is one of the wonders of the world, to climb Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa, visit Serengeti National Park which is also among the new Seven Wonders of the World.

I too invite you to the spice island of Zanzibar where among other things, you will be able to enjoy beautiful and unique white sandy beaches to mention just a few" said Ali Seif Idd.

Addressing the public during the official launching of the carnival at the clock tower at the heart of the Seychelles capital Victoria, the President of Seychelles James Michel told the people of Seychelles, guest and visitors from other countries that the Carnaval International de Victoria is a reflection of Seychelles social cohesion, their customs and values, harmony and unity as people of diverse origins, and it perfectly highlights the Seychelles Brand which is a bridge between civilisation and culture.

Other foreign dignitaries besides the Second Vice President of Zanzibar were the Vice President of Zimbabwe J.T Mujuru, Kenyan Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Mauritanian Deputy Minister Pravind Jugnauth, and Zimbabwean Minister for Tourism Walter Mzembi, the Minister for Information, Cultural, Tourism and Sport of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Jihad Hassan.

The three-day Carnival, the first of its kind in Seychelles has been organised by the Seychelles Tourism Board to bring international attention to the archipelago and boost its tourism industry. The event has attracted twenty one countries worldwide.

Meanwhile, Zanzibar and Seychelles have agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation between the two countries including tourism, student exchange programmes at the college and university levels as well as tourism staff exchange between them.

The two sides also agreed to work together to have direct flights from Kilimanjaro to Seychelles via Zanzibar and vice versa, a move that will increase the number of tourists visiting the two countries as well as revenue to both countries.

The agreement was reached during the official talks between tourism expert team from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar lead by the Minister for Information, Culture, Sports and Tourism of Zanzibar Jihad Hassan and the Seychelles Tourism Board experts led the Chief Executive Officer Alain St. Ange. The meeting was also attended by Seychelles’s Civil Aviation Authority boss.

The Second VP of Zanzibar is on a week-long visit to Seychelles accompanied by his wife Asha Ali Seif Idd, Jihad Hassan, the Minister for Information, Cultural, Tourism and Sport from Zanzibar, the Permanent Secretary in the Second Vice President’s office Dr Khalid Salum Mohammed, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Nuru Millao, and other officials from Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland.