AGP Executive Report

Performing Arts & Leadership: North Iowa Area Community College announced its 2026–2027 Performing Arts and Leadership Series, spotlighting “home and heritage” with a packed lineup and ticket sales details. Tourism Governance: Seychelles has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board, with veteran tourism executive Vesna Rakić appointed CEO from 15 May 2026, aiming to strengthen destination marketing and competitiveness. Hospitality Careers: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti appointed Mary as General Manager, highlighting a people-first approach and deep respect for local culture. Sailing & Local Pride: Seychelles is among the teams training for the SSL qualifiers in Switzerland, with preparations underway on Lake Neuchâtel ahead of racing. Travel Deals for the Region: Sri Lanka waived visa fees for visitors from 40 countries (including Seychelles via reciprocity), while still requiring a free ETA for up to 30 days—an easy win for regional tourism. Education Access: SIDOL (Seychelles Institute of Distance and Open Learning) continues its mission of second and third chances for Seychellois learners. Wellness in Hospitality: Club Med Seychelles leans into wellness-focused all-inclusive experiences on Sainte Anne, blending island calm with activity-led wellbeing.

Tourism Policy: Seychelles has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board, restoring a dedicated destination marketing structure after five years under a centralized framework, with veteran tourism executive Vesna Rakić appointed CEO effective 15 May 2026. Hospitality Careers: Mary Bowens has been appointed General Manager at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, following her earlier role as Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. Regional Humanitarian Coordination: The African Union unveiled a new African Humanitarian Coordination Platform in Mahé to tighten crisis response across displacement, hunger, conflict and climate-linked disasters. Sailing & Youth Sport: Seychelles is among the teams preparing for the African and Oceanian Qualifiers in Switzerland, training on Lake Neuchâtel ahead of the first races. Travel Deals: Sri Lanka has waived visa fees for visitors from 40 countries (including India and Seychelles via reciprocal arrangements), offering a free 30-day ETA with double-entry—while travellers still must apply online before arrival. Culture & Travel Experiences: Ponant announced speakers for its 2027 Explorers Club voyages, including an itinerary titled “The Essential Seychelles.” Education Access: SIDOL is spotlighted for giving Seychellois learners second and third chances through distance and open learning.

Culture & Policy: Seychelles’ culture reform is back in focus with the Bill No. 7 of 2026 on Culture, Heritage and Arts, aiming to reshape institutions under the Ministry of Culture. Education & Second Chances: SIDOL is spotlighted for giving Seychellois learners “second and third chances” through distance and open learning. Tourism & Hospitality: Raffles Seychelles appoints Gerrard McNamara as Resort Manager, signalling a push for a refreshed guest experience on Praslin. Diplomacy & Regional Links: A Seychelles National Assembly delegation took part in the Africa‑EU Parliamentary Assembly in Eswatini, working through the OACPS ARPG to align positions. Travel Ease Across Africa: The Republic of Congo announces visa-free entry for all Africans from 1 January 2027, joining a growing list that includes Seychelles and others. Regional Travel Deals: Sri Lanka rolls out free 30-day tourist ETAs for visitors from 40 countries (with Seychelles included via reciprocal arrangements), while still requiring the ETA before arrival. Community & Youth: English River secondary school launches a Young Entrepreneurs Club alongside its first career fair, encouraging students to plan their career journeys.

Culture & Governance: Seychelles’ culture reform bill (Bill No. 7 of 2026) is set to reshape how culture, heritage and arts institutions are organised, moving oversight directly under the Ministry of Culture. Education & Second Chances: SIDOL is spotlighted for giving Seychellois learners “second and third chances,” keeping lifelong learning within reach. Tourism & Leadership: Tourism Seychelles and Small Luxury Hotels of the World hosted a Chinese media familiarisation trip, pushing “Higher Value, Lower Impact” with culture, cuisine and eco experiences; meanwhile, Vesna Rakić is appointed CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board and Raffles Seychelles names Gerrard McNamara as Resort Manager. Regional Mobility: The Republic of the Congo announces visa-free entry for all Africans from 1 Jan 2027, joining a growing African open-borders push that also includes Seychelles. Travel Deals: Sri Lanka rolls out free 30-day tourist ETAs for travellers from 40 countries (with Seychelles, Maldives and Singapore still needing an ETA but processed free). Community & Wellbeing: A World Thyroid Day report flags thyroid disease as a major, neglected health crisis across Africa, noting Seychelles is among the few with national newborn screening.

Tourism Policy Shake-up: Sri Lanka has just made tourist entry cheaper and simpler: from 25 May, visitors from 40 countries can get a free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) on arrival, with double-entry allowed during the validity period (but it doesn’t “reset” the 30 days). The catch stays the same: you still must apply for the ETA online before you travel, and any fees paid before 25 May won’t be refunded. Regional Mobility Trend: The move lands in a wider wave of African border liberalisation—Congo says it will scrap visas for all African citizens from 1 January 2027, joining countries already easing travel rules. Seychelles Angle: Seychelles is named among the nations covered by Sri Lanka’s reciprocal ETA requirement, while locally the Seychelles Tourism Board has a new CEO, Vesna Rakić, as the destination pushes higher-value travel.

Visa Access Watch: Sri Lanka just rolled out a free 30-day on-arrival tourist visa for travellers from 40 countries, including India, but everyone still needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival—double-entry is allowed within the 30 days. Regional Mobility Push: The Republic of the Congo says it will scrap visas for all African citizens from 1 January 2027, joining a growing club that already includes Seychelles, Ghana, Togo, Rwanda, Benin and The Gambia. Seychelles in the Mix: Seychelles continues to position itself as a travel and policy hub—its tourism leadership has a new CEO at the Seychelles Tourism Board (Vesna Rakić), and a Seychelles delegation recently took part in the Africa‑EU parliamentary track in Eswatini. Hospitality & Careers: Raffles Seychelles has appointed Gerrard McNamara as Resort Manager, while Seychelles schools and youth groups are also pushing career and entrepreneurship pathways.

Visa Liberalisation Wave: Sri Lanka has just rolled out a free 30-day on-arrival tourist visa for travellers from 40 countries, including India, but with a catch: everyone still needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival, and the visa allows double entry within the 30 days. Pan-African Mobility Push: The Republic of the Congo joins the growing club of African states scrapping or easing visa rules for African travellers, echoing a wider push to boost intra-African trade and tourism. Seychelles in the Mix: Seychelles is explicitly named among countries tied to Sri Lanka’s ETA rules, while locally the country keeps tightening its tourism leadership—Vesna Rakić is appointed CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board and Air Seychelles board leadership is refreshed. Culture & Governance: Seychelles’ Assembly is also moving on a major culture reform bill (Bill No. 7 of 2026), aimed at reshaping how culture, heritage and arts institutions are run.

Tourism Diplomacy: Seychelles’ National Assembly delegation has been in Ezulwini, Eswatini for the Africa‑EU Parliamentary Assembly and OACPS ARPG talks, aligning African positions under the new institutional framework. Regional Travel Push: Sri Lanka rolled out a free 30‑day tourist Electronic Travel Authorization for travellers from 40 countries, but still requires an ETA for entry—even for Seychelles passport holders under reciprocal arrangements. Public Health Spotlight: A new World Thyroid Day report warns thyroid disease is a major, preventable but neglected crisis across Africa, noting Seychelles is among the few countries with national newborn screening coverage. Local Governance & Culture: Seychelles’ National Assembly approved the Seychelles Culture, Heritage and the Arts Bill 2026, setting up a shake-up that abolishes SNICHA and brings institutions back under the Ministry. Security & Training: Seychelles is also listed among 12 nations taking part in India’s PRAGATI 2026 counter‑terrorism exercise in Meghalaya. Tech & Finance: Bitget added United Stables (U) for spot trading in its stablecoin zone.

Seychelles Tourism Leadership: The Office of the President has appointed Vesna Rakić as CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, effective 15 May 2026, as the country pushes to strengthen global positioning and competitiveness. Culture Reform: The National Assembly approved the Seychelles Culture, Heritage and the Arts Bill 2026, setting up the abolition of SNICHA (2021) and bringing cultural institutions back under direct Ministry control. Tourism Promotion: Tourism Seychelles, with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, hosted a China media familiarisation trip focused on “Higher Value, Lower Impact” experiences—culture, eco-tourism and wellness. Regional Security Training: Seychelles is among 12 nations taking part in India’s PRAGATI 2026 counter-terrorism exercise in Meghalaya, under a joint-operations and coordination theme. Sports Spotlight: In the wider region, Gqeberha swimmer Katie Horne’s four-medal haul at Africa Aquatics is a reminder of rising talent across the Indian Ocean sphere.

Sports Spotlight: Gqeberha swimmer Katie Horne keeps climbing after a four-medal haul at the Africa Aquatics Championships in Algeria, earning bronze in the 400m freestyle and silvers in the 400m IM, 800m freestyle and 4x200m relay—now with two more national selections on the way. Public Health Watch: Italy’s 2024 dengue surge is a reminder that “tropical” diseases can take hold in temperate Europe as tiger mosquitoes and warmer conditions spread. Weather & Travel Strain: UK heatwave alerts and near five-hour ferry delays at Dover are turning a holiday weekend into a logistics test. Regional Security: Somali piracy is reportedly adapting—more attacks, more armed groups, and cruise-ship threats—pushing shipping risk back up. Seychelles Culture & Tourism: Seychelles moves to overhaul culture governance via the Culture, Heritage and the Arts Bill 2026, while tourism leadership gets a boost with Vesna Rakić appointed CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board. Indian Ocean Defence: PRAGATI 2026 is underway in Meghalaya with Seychelles among 12 nations, focused on counter-terrorism coordination.

Weather & Travel Disruption: A UK heatwave is driving bank holiday chaos—Met Office alerts for 30–33C and near five-hour ferry delays at Dover, with holidaymakers caught in sweltering queues. Maritime Security: At the same time, fears are rising over Somali pirate tactics as cruise and luxury vessels face fresh attacks and hostage-taking patterns. Seychelles Tourism Leadership: Locally, Seychelles is pushing ahead with sector momentum: Vesna Rakić appointed CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, while Air Seychelles board leadership is refreshed—signals of a tighter focus on global positioning and connectivity. Culture Policy: The National Assembly also approved the Culture, Heritage and the Arts Bill 2026, setting up the abolition of SNICHA and bringing cultural institutions under direct ministry control. Environment in Action: And on the ground, the Cleanup Marathon returned for a second stage in Victoria, with students and residents tackling Les Mamelles and Plaisance.

Travel Chaos in the Heat: Bank-holiday crowds hit the Port of Dover hard, with ferry queues stretching to nearly five hours as hot weather and suspended EU border checks collide with new processing demands. Piracy Update: Somali pirates are reportedly escalating again, with cruise-ship attacks and larger armed groups pushing a renewed wave of fear across key shipping routes. Seychelles Tourism Power Moves: Vesna Rakić has been appointed CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, as the country also tightens tourism and aviation leadership with Air Seychelles board changes—while Tourism Seychelles runs a China media familiarisation trip and an India roadshow after strong visitor growth. Culture Governance: Seychelles’ Assembly approved a Culture, Heritage and Arts Bill that reshapes institutions under the Ministry, including moving away from SNICHA. Local Environment: Victoria’s second Cleanup Marathon pulled in schoolchildren and adults to clear key districts and public sites. Regional Security: Seychelles joins India’s PRAGATI 2026 counter-terror drill in Meghalaya with 12 partner nations.

Cleanup Momentum in Mahe: Seychelles’ second stage of the Cleanup Marathon rolled through Victoria, with schoolchildren and adults clearing Les Mamelles and Plaisance areas and cleaning near TeleSesel and the Plaisance district administration—an effort framed as more than litter removal, but a push for cleaner streets and continued community action. Tourism & Aviation Leadership: The government named Vesna Rakić as CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board and reshuffled Air Seychelles board leadership, signaling a renewed focus on tourism growth and stronger connectivity. Regional Security Drills: Seychelles is among 12 nations taking part in India’s PRAGATI 2026 counter-terrorism exercise in Meghalaya, aimed at joint coordination and interoperability. Culture Policy Shift: The National Assembly approved the Seychelles Culture, Heritage and the Arts Bill 2026, setting up the abolition of SNICHA and bringing institutions back under the Ministry. Global Spotlight: UN Tourism’s push to define where small island states fit in governance continues to be debated as the agency tackles climate, digital transition, and resilience.

Seychelles Tourism & Aviation Shake-Up: Seychelles has named Vesna Rakić as CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board and confirmed new Air Seychelles board leadership, with Capt. François Jackson re-appointed as Chairperson and Jean Laporte brought in as Vice-Chairperson—moves aimed at tightening tourism strategy and boosting connectivity. Regional Security Drills: India’s PRAGATI 2026 multilateral exercise is underway in Meghalaya, with 12 friendly nations including Seychelles training for counter-terrorism and joint operations, underscoring how the Indian Ocean security agenda keeps drawing island states in. Culture Policy Reset: The National Assembly approved the Seychelles Culture, Heritage and the Arts Bill 2026, setting up the abolition of SNICHA and bringing its institutions back under direct ministry control. Pan-African Governance Spotlight: In Kigali, Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin warned Africa loses about $88.6bn a year to corruption and illicit flows, calling for tougher, coordinated action. Space for Girls Goes Global: Mission ShakthiSAT—an all-girls Moon satellite mission involving 108 countries—continues expanding its international education push.

Botswana Rights Reset: Botswana has formally removed colonial-era clauses that criminalised consensual same-sex relations, aligning the penal code with court rulings from 2019 and 2021—though social pushback is already rising ahead of a major marriage equality case in July. Thailand Travel Tightening: Thailand is rolling back its 60-day visa-free stay for over 90 countries, moving back toward 30 days for most, citing security and administrative concerns. Regional Security Drills: India’s PRAGATI 2026 multilateral counter-terrorism exercise is underway in Meghalaya with 12 partner nations, including Seychelles, focused on joint coordination in tough terrain. Seychelles Culture Policy: The National Assembly has approved a Culture, Heritage and the Arts Bill 2026, setting up the abolition of SNICHA and bringing institutions back under the Ministry. Pan-African Mobility: Togo has introduced visa-free entry for all African passport holders for up to 30 days, with a required travel declaration.

Regional Security: India’s multilateral counter-terror drill PRAGATI 2026 has kicked off at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya with 12 friendly nations, including Seychelles, as troops arrive for a two-week programme built around joint planning, tactical training, and defence-to-defence learning. Culture & Governance: Seychelles’ National Assembly has approved the Culture, Heritage and the Arts Bill 2026, setting up the abolition of SNICHA and bringing its institutions back under the Ministry. Youth Tech & Education: Bitget starts its second year backing UNICEF’s Game Changers Coalition, adding financial literacy and AI modules for hundreds of thousands of young people across eight countries. Tourism Push: Tourism Seychelles is deepening ties with India after nearly 75% growth in 2025 arrivals, using a three-city roadshow to court premium travel, weddings, and MICE. Travel Connectivity: Air Canada launches a new direct summer route between Palma (Mallorca) and Montréal from 18 June.