The tourism board directors of the Indian Ocean islands have agreed an initial marketing plan to help boost the region’s tourism industry. Alain St Ange from Seychelles, Joel Randriamandranto from Madagascar, Pascal Viroleau from Réunion, and Dr Karl Mootoosamy from Mauritius were all present at the meeting.

The objective is to revitalise and boost the Indian Ocean islands’ tourism by opening new tourism markets. This will be done by marketing as a whole to promote the many attractions they share between them, as well as their own unique identities.

To better position the region at the international level, the tourism representatives from the region have agreed on a brand image – the Vanilla Islands – for the Indian Ocean to better sell the islands as a whole.

The process will start with a joint web site, direct promotion to cruise companies and boosting trade awareness.

Alain St Ange, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, said “We all need to be proud of our region and then to push that region to ensure that the strengths and unique selling points of each of our islands are put forward in our bid to bring the Indian Ocean Islands to the minds of potential visitors. Together we are strong, and together we are not an island but part of a whole destination.”