The two Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands of Seychelles and La Reunion decided to cooperate to co-host the 2012 “Carnaval International de Victoria” that is held annually in the Seychelles. Today, analysts are assessing the merit of such a partnership, and most agree that it is a win-win for both islands.
Les Seychelles et La Réunion ont su mettre les îles Vanille de l'océan Indien sur la carte touristique, et elles ont toutes deux bénéficié d'une visibilité accrue de leurs îles aux quatre coins du monde.
A dedicated full page carnival advert in full color in the Emirates in-flight magazine for the month of February alone, showing the destination logos of Seychelles and La Reunion, is worth more than anyone can imagine. This is only one such PR coup that these two tropical islands have benefited from. Emirates is the partner airline for the “Carnaval International de Victoria” and they have themselves been actively promoting the Indian Ocean Vanilla islands Carnival through their worldwide network.
The debate last week by analysts on the merit for co-hosting such big events agreed that unity was strength and that the pulling of resources brought more to the individual countries than can be imagined.
The Emirates in-flight magazine is one PR coup where Seychelles and La Reunion have seen their destination logos pushed forward, but this is not all. The massive press reviews that have been seen across the world for weeks announcing the coming of that unique carnival in the mid-ocean islands of the Seychelles has showcased that twinning of Seychelles and La Reunion as twin-center holiday possibilities. One can well imagine the write ups, and radio and TV coverage that will follow the carnival next week, now that both Seychelles and La Reunion will be in the news as tropical island destinations.
A summing up statement aired that RETOSA members, the COI, and the East African Countries, all in the Southern Africa zone, should sit and see how to pull together for different events in that part of the world, which would benefit everyone and the region as a whole.
