AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Diplomacy: Seychelles Ambassador-at-Large Dr. Alain St.Ange told delegates at Oxford that tourism is more than arrivals and money—it’s daily human connection that can challenge prejudice and build peace. Arts & Heritage: “Under One Sun” opened in Victoria with Russian and Seychellois artists creating plein-air works together, with Seychelles tourism officials calling them cultural ambassadors. Education & Human Capital: Seychelles hosted “50 Years of Friendship” with Russia, focusing on education and vocational training to strengthen human capital, including talks by the Education Minister and the Russian ambassador. Local Learning: Grand Anse Praslin teachers visited Mahé to bring real-world landmarks and cross-curricular ideas back into classrooms. Travel Rules Watch: Thailand’s visa-free stay drops from 60 to 30 days from Sept 15, with a possible one-time extension—important for travellers planning longer trips. Seychelles in Global Travel: Expedia’s 2026 island-travel surge highlights Praslin among the fastest-rising destinations. Aviation Links: IndiGo announced daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from Nov 20, and Qatar Airways says it will expand its winter network to 170+ destinations including Seychelles. Culture on Screen: The 3rd China Film Festival launched in Seychelles to deepen film and TV cooperation and cultural exchange. Community & Sports: Seychelles Basketball Federation Cup draw sets up fresh match-ups, with women’s competition decided via round-robin. Health & Skills: A Seychelles-linked international nursing leadership programme is underway in India, bringing senior professionals from 27 countries.

Seychelles–Russia Cultural Ties: “Under One Sun” opened in Victoria with Russian and Seychellois artists painting plein-air scenes around Venn’s Town and Sans Souci, with Seychelles tourism leaders calling the works cultural ambassadors. Education & Skills: Seychelles hosted a conference on “50 Years of Friendship” linking education and vocational training to human capital, with Seychellois and Russian participants discussing cooperation. Local Learning: Grand Anse Praslin teachers visited Mahé for cross-curricular learning and team building, bringing new ideas back to classrooms. Agroecology for Cleaner Seas: A two-year agroecology project is credited with strengthening sustainable farming and cutting pollution and soil erosion from agriculture. Hospitality & Lifestyle: A new “Private Homes” concept lands in Praslin with ultra-private villas, while luxury butler service trends keep spreading across Seychelles and beyond. Travel Rules Watch: Thailand’s visa-free stay drops from 60 to 30 days from Sept 15, with a one-time extension option for longer trips. Connectivity: Qatar Airways plans network growth to 170+ destinations, including expanded Seychelles services, while IndiGo adds daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from Nov 20. Community & Sport: The Seychelles Basketball Federation Cup draw sets up fresh match-ups, with women’s competition decided via round-robin. Health & Care: 50 senior nursing leaders from 27 countries, including Seychelles, join an international public health policy programme in India.

Seychelles–Russia Cultural Ties: “Under One Sun” opened in Victoria on 9 September, bringing Russian and Seychellois artists together for plein-air sessions around Venn’s Town and Sans Souci, with Seychelles tourism officials calling them cultural ambassadors. Local Education & Community: Grand Anse Praslin teachers made a Mahé learning visit to bring real-world landmarks back into classroom lessons, while the Seychelles Basketball Federation Cup draw sets up fresh match-ups and a women’s round-robin. Sustainable Living: A two-year agroecology project—running from Sept 2024 to Aug 2026—aimed to cut agricultural pollution and soil erosion while boosting practical sustainable farming skills. Travel & Lifestyle Signals: Expedia’s 2026 “Island Hot List” shows Praslin searches up 80% year-on-year, and Qatar Airways says it will expand to 170+ destinations this winter, including more Seychelles connectivity. Regional Mobility: IndiGo will add daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from 20 November, linking to its existing direct services from India to Seychelles. Global Policy Watch: New Zealand’s visa waiver list includes only Mauritius and Seychelles in Africa (still requiring NZeTA), while Thailand’s visa-free stay rules tighten from 15 September.

Seychelles Tourism & Culture: A new Victoria exhibition, “Under One Sun,” opened on 9 September at Kenwyn House, bringing together Russian and Seychellois artists who painted plein-air scenes from Venn’s Town and Sans Souci—positioned as cultural and tourism “ambassadors” for the Seychelles–Russia friendship and independence celebrations. Island Travel Buzz: Expedia’s 2026 “Island Hot List” shows Praslin climbing 80% in search interest year over year, as social chatter around island getaways rises too. Education & Human Capital: Seychelles hosted an international conference, “50 Years of Friendship,” linking education and vocational training to shared human-capital development with Russian partners. International Links: IndiGo announced daily Mumbai–Dar es Salaam flights from 20 November, noting it already connects to Nairobi, Mauritius and Seychelles. Travel Rules Watch: New Zealand’s visa waiver list includes only Mauritius and Seychelles in Africa, with travellers still needing an NZeTA. Local Community: Grand Anse Praslin teachers visited Mahé to bring real-world learning back into classrooms. Sports & Community: The Seychelles Basketball Federation Cup draw sets up fresh match-ups, with men’s divisions mixed and women’s cup decided via round-robin. Health & Safety: An Australian tennis coach, Tim Horpinitch, remains in ICU after a scooter crash in the Seychelles. Film & Culture Exchange: The 3rd China Film Festival launched in Seychelles with remarks from the Tourism and Culture minister, framing film as a gentle cultural bridge. Travel Planning: Thailand’s visa-free rules shift from 15 September, cutting many stays to 30 days and tightening entry categories.

Seychelles Tourism & Culture: A new Seychelles NATION piece asks whether visitors truly experience Victoria beyond the Clock Tower and market—urging a slower, fuller day to uncover the capital’s history and culture. Education & Community Learning: Grand Anse Praslin teachers used a trip to Mahé to bring real-world landmarks and cross-curricular ideas back into the classroom. Sports & Youth: Seychelles Basketball Federation’s knockout cup draw sets up fresh match-ups, while Grand Anse Mahé young footballers received equipment from an MNA to keep training going. International Cultural Exchange: Seychelles hosted a Russia-focused conference on education and human capital, and the 3rd China Film Festival launched in Seychelles with hopes of deeper film and TV cooperation. Global Mobility Watch: Thailand’s visa-free rules shift from 60 to 30 days from Sept 15, with Seychelles and Mauritius getting a separate 15-day tier—plus tighter land-border limits. Tourism Industry Update: The Seychelles Tourism Board’s marketing meeting points to recovery momentum in July and August, with Russia leading the rebound and new markets like China and Nigeria supporting 2027 plans. Health & Capacity Building: Seychelles is among 27 countries sending senior nursing leaders to an international policy and management programme in India. Local Spotlight: A beloved Australian tennis coach, Tim Horpinitch, remains in ICU after a scooter crash in Seychelles.

Seychelles Tourism & Culture: Seychelles Tourism Board held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 recovery after Middle East disruptions and mapping a 2027 shift from planning to implementation, with Russia leading the rebound and growth also seen in China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Education & Community: Grand Anse Praslin teachers took learning beyond the classroom with a rainy-day educational visit to Mahé, using real places and landmarks to enrich cross-curricular lessons. Sports & Youth: Seychelles Basketball Federation’s Knockout Cup draw sets up fresh match-ups, while in Grand Anse Mahé young footballers received equipment from MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy. International Cultural Exchange: Seychelles hosted the 3rd China Film Festival launching ceremony, with the Minister for Tourism and Culture calling film a “gentle cultural envoy” to deepen Seychelles–China ties. Health & Skills Building: Seychelles joined a MEA-supported international nursing capacity programme at PGIMER, Chandigarh, focused on public health policy, management and leadership. Global Travel Context: A new Thailand visa framework from 15 September cuts visa-free stays to 30 days for many travellers and limits land-border entries—important for Seychellois planning regional trips.

Education & Community: Grand Anse Praslin teachers used a rainy-day trip to Mahé to learn beyond the classroom, mapping real places and landmarks into future cross-curricular lessons. Sports & Youth: Seychelles Basketball Federation’s Knockout Cup draw sets up fresh match-ups, with Division Two teams getting a shot at Division One sides, while Grand Anse Mahé youngsters received football gear from Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy. Culture & Film: China’s 3rd China Film Festival launched at Deepam Cinema, with Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein calling film a “gentle cultural envoy” for stronger ties. International Links: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles officials on culture and tourism cooperation, and sent SIT students off for EV training in China. Seychelles on the Global Stage: Seychellois chess players competed in the Windhoek Namibia Open, and a Seychelles fan story spotlights how reggae travels far beyond the islands. Tourism Watch: Seychelles Tourism Board’s marketing meeting points to recovery momentum in July and August and a resilience plan for 2027. Travel Rules (Regional): Thailand’s visa-free stay is being cut from 60 to 30 days from 15 September, with Seychelles and Mauritius getting a separate 15-day tier.

Seychelles-Tourism Diplomacy: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on cultural heritage protection, archives management, fashion exchange, tourism promotion and skills training. Film & Cultural Exchange: The 3rd China Film Festival launched at Deepam Cinema, with Ambassador Lin Nan and Minister Bernstein praising film as a gentle cultural envoy to bring the two peoples closer. Local Sports & Youth: In Grand Anse Mahé, MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy handed football equipment to children aged 5–10, backing district training. Seychelles in the Spotlight: A Seychellois tennis coach, Tim Horpinitch, remains in ICU after a serious scooter crash in the islands. Seychelles Tourism Strategy: STB’s marketing meeting at Eden Bleu mapped recovery after a tough first half of 2026, with market diversification driving momentum into 2027. Global Mobility Watch: Thailand’s visa-free rules tighten from Sept 15, with Seychelles getting a separate 15-day tier and land-border entries capped—important for frequent travellers. Green Card Update: A US court ruling reopened DV-2026 paths, with 53,939 prospective applicants across Africa; Seychelles is among the affected. Culture Beyond the Islands: A Pan-African Biennale 2026 architecture guide previews Nairobi’s Sept 7 launch, spotlighting African-built-environment stories.

Seychelles–China Education & Culture: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan sent off six Seychelles Institute of Technology students for EV training in Jining, with air tickets presented alongside education ministry officials—another quiet boost for skills and cultural ties. Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board partners met at Eden Bleu to review 2026 recovery and map 2027 implementation, citing momentum in July–August and growth from markets like China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey after Middle East disruptions. Local Sports & Youth: Grand Anse Mahé children aged 5–10 received football equipment from MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy, keeping district training moving. Global Culture Spotlight: A Seychelles fan’s reggae journey and a profile of Mervin Henriette show how the genre travels—plus a Pan-African Biennale 2026 architecture launch in Nairobi on 7 September. Travel Rules That Hit Islanders: Thailand’s visa-free stays are being cut from 60 to 30 days from 15 September, with Seychelles and Mauritius getting a separate 15-day tier and land-border caps starting too. International Church Life: Vatican formation courses in Rome include bishops from Seychelles, reflecting ongoing global religious exchange. Green Card Deadline Watch: A US court ruling reopened DV-2026 paths as the September 30 deadline nears, with Seychelles among affected applicants.

Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, mapping a 2027 direction after a tough first half of 2026 linked to Middle East disruptions, with visitor momentum building in July and August and Russia leading the rebound while China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey show growth. Diplomacy & Culture: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on cultural heritage protection, archives, fashion exchange, tourism promotion and skills training, while also sending off SIT students for EV training in China. Parliament & People-to-People Links: India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Seychelles’ National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta, highlighting shared democratic values and support for yoga in Seychelles. Sports & Youth: Grand Anse Mahé young footballers received equipment from MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy, boosting district training for ages 5–10. Global Travel Rules Affecting Seychellois: Thailand is tightening visa-free travel from 15 September—cutting many countries from 60 to 30 days, capping land border entries at twice yearly, and keeping Seychelles on a separate 15-day tier. Cruise Culture: Seabourn opened bookings for its 138-day 2029 world cruise, featuring Praslin in Seychelles and overnight port stays across major island and UNESCO sites. Church & Leadership Training: Vatican formation courses in Rome run for 147 newly appointed bishops, including participants from Seychelles, strengthening shared practice across cultures.

Seychelles–China Cultural Links: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on cultural heritage protection, archives, fashion exchange, tourism promotion and skills training. Youth & Learning Exchange: Lin Nan also attended the Panda House opening day and sending-off for Independent School students heading to China for a study tour, with cultural activities and a photo exhibition. Tourism Strategy: The Seychelles Tourism Board held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 recovery momentum and pushing a 2027 shift toward implementation, with diversification helping after Middle East disruptions. Local Sports Boost: In Grand Anse Mahé, young footballers received equipment from MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy, supporting training for ages 5–10. Chess on the Move: Three Seychellois players represented the islands at the Windhoek Namibia Open, competing in a FIDE-rated nine-round event. Global Culture Spotlight: The Pan-African Biennale 2026 launches in Nairobi on 7 September, positioning itself as Africa’s first architecture platform focused on built-environment stories from African and diasporic studios. Visa Rules Affect Travel Plans: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days from 15 September, with Seychelles and Mauritius getting a separate 15-day tier and a cap on land-border entries.

Tourism & Culture Diplomacy: Seychelles Tourism Board’s annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu mapped a 2027 roadmap after a tough first half of 2026, with Russia leading the rebound and growth also seen in China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Local Youth & Sports: In Grand Anse Mahé, MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy handed football equipment to children aged 5–10, backing district training. Arts & Heritage Exchange: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on cultural heritage protection, archives, fashion exchange, tourism promotion and skills training. Education & Learning: Seychelles Tourism Academy hosted Russia’s Knowledge Day lesson, linking school-start traditions and environmental education through student discussions and practical ideas. Community Spotlight: Seychelles fan Mervin Henriette shares how reggae took him from local beginnings to international festivals, and why the music still unites people across borders. Travel Rules That Hit Home: Thailand’s visa-free stay is being cut from 60 to 30 days from 15 September for many nationalities, while Seychelles gets a separate 15-day tier—plus land border entries will be capped twice a year. Wildlife & Conservation Curiosity: Aldabra giant tortoises native to Seychelles’ Aldabra Atoll were introduced to Surabaya Zoo in a first-of-its-kind move for the species there.

Tourism Policy: Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) met partners at Eden Bleu to map a 2027 recovery plan after a tough first half of 2026, citing momentum in July–August and growth from markets like Russia, China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Cultural Diplomacy: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles’ Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on heritage protection, archives, fashion exchange and skills training. Parliament & Spiritual Ties: India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla held talks with Seychelles’ Speaker Azarel Ernesta, highlighting shared democratic values and interest in Yoga and Ma Kali traditions. Church & Community: Vatican formation courses in Rome bring 147 newly appointed bishops, including participants from Seychelles, underscoring cross-cultural exchange in ministry. Travel Rules (Regional Impact): Thailand’s visa-free stay is being cut from 60 to 30 days from Sept 15 for many nationalities, with land border entries capped at twice yearly; Seychelles travellers get a separate 15-day tier. Sports & Youth: Seychelles’ football community received equipment for young players in Grand Anse Mahé, while Seychellois chess players competed at the Windhoek Namibia Open. Wildlife & Learning: Seychelles-linked Aldabra tortoises are making news abroad, and STA hosted Russia’s Knowledge Day lesson for students with an environmental education focus.

Seychelles Tourism: The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, mapping a 2027 shift from planning to delivery after a tough first half of 2026 linked to Middle East disruptions; arrivals picked up in July and August, with Russia leading the rebound and growth also coming from China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Culture & Diplomacy: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on cultural heritage protection, archives, fashion exchange, tourism promotion and skills training. Sports & Youth: Grand Anse Mahé young footballers got a boost with equipment donated by MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy, supporting training for ages 5–10. Chess: Three Seychellois players represented the country at the Windhoek Namibia Open 2026, a FIDE-rated event. Local Life & Identity: An interview profile spotlights Mervin Henriette, whose reggae passion has taken him to international festivals and taught him how music can unite people across borders. International Connections: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Seychelles’ Speaker Azarel Ernesta, praising shared democratic values and highlighting growing interest in India’s Yoga traditions. Travel Watch: Thailand’s visa-free rules are changing from 15 September—most eligible travellers will get 30 days instead of 60, with Seychelles and Mauritius set for separate 15-day exemptions. Wildlife & Learning: Seychelles-linked conservation education continues to ripple outward, with Aldabra giant tortoises highlighted in a new zoo exchange story.

Community Sports: In Grand Anse Mahé, young footballers (ages 5–10) got a boost with training equipment handed over by National Assembly member Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy, backing grassroots sport. Chess & Representation: Three Seychellois players competed at the 2026 Windhoek Namibia Open, a FIDE-rated event in late August, marking another international cultural win for local talent. Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board partners met at Eden Bleu to review 2026 performance and map 2027, citing recovery momentum in July and August and faster growth from markets like Russia, China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Architecture & Culture: The Pan-African Biennale 2026 launches 7 September in Nairobi, spotlighting African-built-environment creativity under “Shifting the Center: From Fragility to Resilience.” Church Formation: Vatican formation courses in Rome run 2–10 September for 147 newly appointed bishops, including participants from Seychelles. Diplomacy & Culture: China’s ambassador to Seychelles Lin Nan met Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on heritage protection, archives, fashion exchange and skills training. Wildlife & Learning: Seychelles-linked Aldabra giant tortoises are now being showcased abroad—Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia welcomed four via a Japan partnership, highlighting conservation education. Travel Policy Watch: Thailand is tightening visa-free stays from 15 September—EU visitors drop from 60 to 30 days, while Seychelles gets a separate 15-day exemption.

Architecture & Identity: The Pan-African Biennale 2026 is set to open in Nairobi on 7 September, spotlighting African and diaspora voices in architecture with the theme “Shifting the Center: From Fragility to Resilience.” Church & Leadership: Vatican formation courses begin in Rome for 147 newly appointed bishops across five continents, including participants from Seychelles, as the Church focuses on practical ministry and shared communion. Seychelles in Focus (Culture & Tourism): Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles’ Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on heritage protection, archives, fashion exchange, and skills training. Seychelles Governance: Seychelles outlines three conditions foreigners must meet for a residence permit, including family/domestic ties and a meaningful contribution to life in Seychelles. Wildlife & Conservation: Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia welcomed four Aldabra giant tortoises from Seychelles’ Aldabra Atoll, marking a first for the century-old institution. Travel & Lifestyle: Seabourn opened bookings for its 2029 world cruise, featuring Praslin in the Seychelles among 58 destinations, plus extended port stays. Community & Learning: Seychelles Tourism Academy hosted a “Knowledge Day” lesson on Russia’s school-year traditions, with an environmental education focus.