The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has restructured some of its international offices and closed others due to the economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Chinese market, the STB offices in Hong Kong and Beijing will no longer operate and activities will be conducted from the office in Shanghai.

From March, the STB office in France will move to the Seychelles Embassy and the office in Italy has closed following the retirement of the Director for Italy, Turkey, Israel and the Mediterranean, Monette Rose on January 1.

Henceforth, STB will be represented by Rome-based PR and Destination Representation Company, ITA Group, headed by Danielle Di Gianvito.

To ensure continuity and maintain a link with the Seychelles, Yasmine Pocetti, former STB Marketing Executive, will join the team at ITA Group working on the Seychelles account. 

The board’s UK office will cease physical operation by the end of February. Marketing Executive of the UK office, Eloise Vidot, will be working from home and the Director for the UK market, Karen Confait, will be based back at STB headquarters.

STB Director for Russia, CIS & Eastern Europe, Lena Hoareau, will also be based at the STB headquarters. 

STB CEO, Sherin Francis, said the decisions had been based on cost reduction and team retention.

“These are difficult times for the industry and the changes are unavoidable. We have to find creative ways to maintain our operation and operate at minimal cost. We are also mindful that now, more than ever, we have to make sure that we remain even more strategic and targeted and stay focused on our mandate."