Travel Trends

Alain St.Ange responds to President Ramkalawan statements about Seychelles Airport

Published

1 day ago

August 5, 2025

Seychelles

On 31st July 2025, President Wavel Ramkalawan made an unscheduled visit to Seychelles International Airport. According to news reports and the official State House website, the visit was framed as a “technical site inspection” to discuss the Airport Redevelopment Project. During a hastily arranged press conference, the President denied claims that his administration plans to sell the airport and suggested that during my tenure as Minister, foreign media had interpreted my involvement as indicative of a possible sale.

I wish to address this directly.

During discussions with ADAC on possible cooperation for airport redevelopment, I was serving as Minister for Tourism and Culture. I was appointed to represent tourism interests, as the airport is the main gateway to Seychelles. My responsibility was to defend and strengthen tourism – our nation’s economic backbone. I consistently emphasised that a successful airport project depends not only on infrastructure, but also on the treatment and remuneration of its staff, whose dedication makes the facility function.

At no point was I involved in any negotiation to sell Seychelles International Airport. The President’s comments suggest otherwise. I must ask: if I were not a presidential candidate today, would this statement even have been made? What was his motive? What point was he attempting to make?

Watching the press conference, it became clear that the visit served as a staged rebuttal to growing public concern—raised by the opposition—over the airport’s future. The aim was not transparency, but to create an opportunity for the President to publicly refute these concerns and project a sense of strategic control. I leave it to the Seychellois people to judge the timing and intention.

Since the President chose to mention me by name, I will respond further.

According to various news reports, press releases, and Airport Authority staff, this administration “reinitiated” talks with ADAC in 2021. Initial discussions with the Ministry of Transport and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority led to a revised Airport Master Plan. That process moved to project modelling and is now reportedly in the financial structuring phase. From the President’s own words, they are now negotiating funding and cooperation terms.

Yet the public has received no explanation of why ADAC was chosen over other potential partners. No other entities were named. No rationale provided. The people of Seychelles deserve transparency on such matters.

While the President insists there is no sale, he seems to have missed the real concern: “the substance of the deal with ADAC and what it will mean in practice.”

What level of funding is involved?
What conditions and guarantees are being offered?
What collateral is on the table?
What commercial or operational control will ADAC have?
How long will the people of Seychelles be financially tied to this agreement?

The President mentioned a figure of SCR 100 million. I invite the public to reflect: will the final figure – if ever disclosed – confirm or contradict that statement? It is my firm belief that no such figures will be released before the September 2025 elections. Based on recent patterns, we may see a symbolic foundation stone laid instead.

Foreign direct investments like this often include clauses ensuring investor returns – typically by embedding commercial and operational control. These often include scrutiny of staffing levels and performance, and efforts to “streamline” operations. President Ramkalawan stated no jobs will be lost. But the people of Seychelles were told the same thing when Etihad partnered with Air Seychelles. Do those who lost their jobs then believe that promise now? I have my doubts.

The President repeatedly mentioned “high-level technicians” and surrounded himself with staff during the press conference. Yet none were given a platform to speak. Why?

This is now the third visit the President has made to the airport since taking office. The first, in March 2025, was presented as a security inspection – where the President miraculously identified and resolved decades-old security concerns. The second, on 25th July 2025, was to address long-standing issues faced by taxi operators—issues his own administration created by arbitrarily removing parking access. Either these matters were beyond the authority of the Airport CEO, Board, and Transport Ministry – or they were bypassed altogether. I leave that to the public to decide.

What remains clear is this: the truth is known by the staff at the Airport Authority.

The people of Seychelles are not naïve. They will not be swayed by last-minute theatrics, smear campaigns, or political diversions.

In 2020, voters demanded change – perhaps more than they believed in the man who promised it. Ramkalawan was seen as the only one who could end political stagnation. He has now had five years to prove who he is, what he stands for, how he leads, and whether he delivers. As we approach the 2025 elections, the concerns of the people are different. The questions are harder. The expectations are higher.

Let’s ensure we ask the right ones.

The article Alain St.Ange responds to President Ramkalawan statements about Seychelles Airport first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

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Travel Trends

Japan sees surge in summer outbound travel as demand climbs

Published

4 hours ago

August 6, 2025

ABC News

Japan’s travel trade is seeing increased sales of outbound trips this summer, with more consumers choosing to travel overseas compared to last year.

JTB Corp., the country’s largest travel agent, expects some 2.4 million people to travel abroad for at least one night between July 15 and August 31, equating to an increase of 21 per cent over the same period last year. Average traveller spend is estimated at 289,000 yen (US$1,961), six per cent more than in summer 2024.

More Japanese travellers are heading abroad this summer, with Europe, South Korea and Hawaii among the top destinations; Haneda airport, pictured

HIS Group, meanwhile, reports an 8.2 per cent rise in bookings year-on-year for overseas trips between July 19 and August 31, with an average cost increase per booking of seven per cent.

The trend is being driven by increased flight capacity, a stronger yen and larger-than-usual summer bonuses. Public and private sector campaigns to encourage overseas travel – such as gift certificates, discounted fares and subsidies for new passports – are also supporting outbound sales, according to agents.

Among this year’s summer destinations, Europe and South Korea are the most popular with JTB customers, each accounting for 17 per cent of bookings, followed by Taiwan and Southeast Asia at 14 per cent each. The company has also recorded a rise in bookings for Hawaii compared to the same period last year.

Similarly, HIS said Seoul, Taipei and Honolulu remain top choices for its clients this summer. However, strong growth has also been seen in emerging destinations such as Cairo, Shanghai and Barcelona.

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Travel Trends

M2P Consulting is new BARIG business partner

Published

5 hours ago

August 6, 2025

ABC News

BARIG

FRANKFURT AM MAIN – With M2P Consulting the airline association BARIG (Board of Airline Representatives in Germany) welcomes a new business partner that has already supported numerous airlines, airports, railway and logistics companies, and other providers with its consulting services. M2P Consulting stands for innovation and customer focus in long-term partnerships and provides companies with customized, efficient solutions for transformation in the traffic, transport, and logistics sector.

“Air travel faces major challenges in both passenger and air cargo transport. It is therefore crucial for all stakeholders to actively address these challenges in order to set the course for the future and growth,” states BARIG Chairman and Executive Director Michael Hoppe. “M2P Consulting’s international expertise will provide valuable impetus for our members, particularly in the areas of automation and digitalization.”

“We have successfully completed over 500 projects for more than 100 customers from all over the world, also using cloud-based technical solutions that we develop in-house and tailor according to specific needs,” explains Christophe Mostert, Managing Partner at M2P Consulting. “Aviation is a key focus at M2P Consulting. We are happy to contribute our experience to the BARIG community.”

With a team of over 100 employees, M2P Consulting supports international clients from the aviation industry from its locations in Frankfurt am Main, Dubai, Los Angeles, and New York. Its range of services includes digitalization, process optimization, and efficiency improvement in particular. Especially for airlines, M2P Consulting develops strategies for network planning, pricing, and sales, among other things.

The article M2P Consulting is new BARIG business partner first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

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Travel Trends

A New Era for Sustainable and Immersive Tourism

Published

8 hours ago

August 6, 2025

ABC News

The global tourism industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by a confluence of technological innovation, environmental consciousness, and a deepening appetite for culturally rich experiences. At the forefront of this transformation is Trip.com Group, whose 2025 Tourism Innovation Awards have spotlighted projects that redefine travel as a force for sustainability, creativity, and cultural preservation. These awards, which recognize 10 groundbreaking initiatives across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, are not merely accolades—they are blueprints for the future of travel and a signal to investors of the sectors poised for exponential growth.

The Triple Pillars of Modern Tourism: Immersion, Sustainability, and Culture

The 2025 Tourism Innovation Awards underscore three dominant trends reshaping the industry: immersive technology, sustainable infrastructure, and cultural authenticity. Projects like Saudi Arabia’s Shebara Resort, with its floating sphere villas powered by solar energy and reversible construction, exemplify how luxury and environmental stewardship can coexist. Similarly, teamLab Borderless in Tokyo reimagines art as an interactive, boundary-defying experience, while London’s Harry Potter-themed King’s Cross Station merges nostalgia with cutting-edge storytelling. These projects are not isolated experiments but scalable models that align with a $11.39 trillion projected global sustainable tourism market by 2034.

Investors should note that these trends are not speculative. The awards’ evaluation framework—prioritizing innovation, sustainability, and scalability—has already demonstrated tangible impact. For instance, the top 10 winners saw an average 51% increase in destination orders and a 42% rise in search volume within three months of launch. This data underscores the growing consumer demand for travel that is both transformative and responsible.

Technology as the Catalyst: AI, VR/AR, and Hyper-Personalization

Trip.com Group’s strategic investments in AI-driven personalization are a linchpin of its innovation strategy. Tools like TripGenie and Trip.Best leverage artificial intelligence to curate real-time itineraries, while VR/AR platforms enable virtual previews of destinations, reducing the environmental footprint of exploratory travel. These technologies are not just enhancing user experience—they are redefining the economics of travel.

Consider the financial metrics: Trip.com’s AI-powered tools drove a 200% surge in usage in 2024, with 58% of travelers already relying on AI for recommendations. The company’s R&D spending increased by 13% year-over-year in Q1 2025, reflecting a commitment to scalable technologies that reduce per-user acquisition costs. For investors, this signals a shift toward a travel ecosystem where data-driven personalization and immersive tech are not optional but essential.

Sustainable Tourism: From Niche to Mainstream

The awards also highlight a critical pivot toward sustainability. Shebara Resort’s energy recycling systems and DesertxAlUla’s art-nature fusion are emblematic of a broader industry trend: travelers now demand that their experiences align with their values. Trip.com’s carbon transparency tools, which quantify emissions across flights and car rentals, have already driven 100 million sustainable travel orders in 2024—a 34% year-over-year increase.

This shift is not just ethical; it is economic. The Asia-Pacific sustainable tourism market, growing at a 15% CAGR, is projected to reach $42 billion by 2030. Trip.com’s Country Retreat Programme, which expanded to 34 destinations in 2025, has created 40,000 indirect jobs and boosted local incomes by $5,500 per capita in regions like Bali and Costa Rica. Such initiatives align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals while generating long-term value for stakeholders.

Cultural Immersion: The New Travel Checklist

Cultural heritage is another cornerstone of the 2025 awards. Projects like Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum, with its 100,000 artifacts and holographic technology, and Japan’s Nintendo Museum, which blends gaming history with interactive exhibits, cater to a generation of travelers seeking authenticity. These experiences are not passive—they are participatory, fostering deeper connections between visitors and destinations.

For investors, the cultural tourism sector offers a dual opportunity: preserving heritage while monetizing it. The Grand Egyptian Museum, for example, has become a major attraction within months of opening, demonstrating the commercial viability of culturally rich projects. As 70% of Gen Z and Millennials prioritize unique, unexplored experiences, the demand for such offerings will only intensify.

Investment Opportunities: Where to Allocate Capital

The convergence of these trends creates a roadmap for investors. Key areas to consider include:
1. AI-Driven Travel Platforms: Companies developing hyper-personalized itineraries and real-time language tools.
2. Sustainable Infrastructure: Firms specializing in eco-friendly construction, renewable energy integration, and carbon offset programs.
3. Immersive Tech Providers: Developers of VR/AR solutions for virtual travel previews and interactive cultural experiences.
4. Cultural Heritage Projects: Partnerships with destinations that blend historical preservation with modern innovation.

Trip.com Group’s $100 million Tourism Innovation Fund and its 31% EBITDA margin in Q1 2025 position it as a prime beneficiary of these trends. However, investors should also look beyond the platform to niche players in AI, green energy, and cultural tourism. For example, the rise of “last-chance tourism” to endangered destinations could drive demand for conservation-focused travel startups.

Conclusion: The Future of Travel is Here

Trip.com Group’s 2025 Tourism Innovation Awards are more than a celebration—they are a harbinger of the industry’s next phase. As immersive tech, sustainability, and cultural authenticity converge, the travel sector is evolving from a commodity-driven model to a value-driven one. For investors, this means opportunities in sectors that align with both planetary and consumer priorities. The winners of these awards are not just redefining destinations; they are redefining the very purpose of travel.

The time to act is now. With the Asia-Pacific sustainable tourism market growing at 15% annually and AI adoption in travel set to accelerate, the next decade will belong to those who invest in the future of experiential travel.

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