From August 25 to August 31, 2024, Tourism Seychelles in collaboration with Kingsbury Hotel Colombo, AirPark, and the Seychelles Tourism Academy, proudly presented the “Soul of Seychelles” culinary event. This week-long celebration of Seychellois culture and cuisine was held at the Kingsbury hotel and was a resounding success, thanks to the invaluable support from Air Seychelles and various partners.
The culinary event commenced on Sunday August 25, with a warm welcome at Kingsbury Hotel and featured a traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony to mark the start of a successful week ahead.
The following day, the visiting Seychellois chefs, Mr. David Hoareau and Mr. Miguel Spivey, along with the talented musician Ruben Larue, took part in a photo session, followed by an engaging interview with Dinushka Chandrasena, editor of TravelTalk Asia, which is Sri Lanka’s premier national travel trade publication.
The “Soul of Seychelles” experience itself was officially launched on Tuesday August 27, with a VIP reception featuring cocktails and canapés. Key attendees included representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Royal Colombo Golf Club and the Honorary Consul of Seychelles, as well as prominent social media influencers such as Travel with Wife, NatiFernando, Natasha Peiriss, Wandering Unicorns and HappeningColombo. The event received extensive coverage from Hi TV, which also conducted interviews with organisers and guests.
During the event, Mrs. Amia Jovanovic-Desir, the Tourism Seychelles Manager the region expressed her gratitude and special thanks to the Seychelles Consul for Sri Lanka, Dr. Udeni, and his wife Lise, as well as the Kingsbury Hotel management team, including Mr. Thimali Perera, the Marketing and Promotions Manager at Kingsbury Hotel, and Chef Manoj, for their exceptional support.
Mrs. Jovanovic-Desir introduced Seychellois chefs Mr. David Hoareau and Mr. Miguel Spivey, who showcased their culinary skills with a selection of Seychelles-inspired canapés and Creole dishes. She also highlighted the contribution of Seychellois musician Ruben Larue, whose performances enriched the event. Additionally, she expressed deep appreciation for the support from Air Seychelles and Mr. Dougie Douglas, the main architect behind the project. The event aimed at providing a glimpse of Seychelles’ diverse offerings, from its natural beauty to its rich cultural and culinary experiences.
From August 27 to 31, the event was open to the public and attracted over 1,000 diners who enjoyed exceptional Seychellois cuisine and had the chance to win a pair of tickets to Seychelles, generously provided by Air Seychelles.
Workshops were also held for travel agents and wedding planners, focusing on promoting Seychelles as a prime destination for holidays, weddings and honeymoons, as well as anniversaries. High-end wedding planners showed notable interest, underscoring Seychelles’ appeal as the “World’s Most Romantic Destination”.
Mrs. Jovanovic-Desir also met with Mr. Danu Innasithamby, TV host and influencer, who expressed interest in visiting Seychelles with a TV crew to create a programme highlighting the destination and its attractions. Discussions also explored the possibility of aligning this visit with the Creole Festival.
Throughout the cocktail receptions and dinners, musician Ruben Larue captivated the audiences with his amazing performances.
On behalf of Tourism Seychelles, Mrs. Jovanovic-Desir extended her heartfelt thanks to all partners, for their strong support in making this event a tremendous success. She also extended her congratulations to the Seychellois chefs who exceeded the expectations of the head chefs at the Kingsbury Hotel.
The “Soul of Seychelles” event not only showcased the island’s rich culinary heritage but also fostered valuable connections and opportunities for future tourism growth. The positive feedback from guests, who suggested hosting similar events more frequently, reinforce that such initiatives are an excellent way to connect with a wider market segment and enhance Seychelles’ visibility.
