Africa Travel Week
David Germain is a Seychelles national he is a result-driven person who has worked in several challenging managerial positions in the Indian Ocean Islands and on the African continent.
He has vast travelling experience and has travelled to most European, African, Asian, North, and Latin American countries, travelling extensively in Africa as well with a great sense of understanding of Africa and its people, having lived in Africa for the past 18 years.
David is responsible for the implementation of the STBs marketing strategy and activities in the Americas and Africa, an ongoing campaign to actively market and promote Seychelles as a “Choice” exotic islands holidays destination for the America and African Travelers, a responsibility to ensure consistent annual growth in tourism arrivals to Seychelles from those two continents.
Where did your love for travel start?
My Desire for travel started after my first overseas trip which was a holiday in the city of Milan, in June 1978, I stayed with friends and saw a lot of interesting things.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry?
The Tourism Industry is a people’s industry, and allowed me to meet many people of different nationalities, I have the opportunity to travel to different countries, and in doing so, made lots of new friends, explored new cultures & lifestyles, and had an opportunity to develop my social skills and expand my knowledge. The Tourism Industry provides memorable experiences.
What is your favorite destination/place to visit and why?
I love Brazil, the Country and its people, I am a soccer fanatic, currently supporting Liverpool, when it comes to club games, and supporting Brazil when The Soccer World Cup takes place. Brazil is a very diverse and naturally rich country. I love everything about that country.
Tell us about one of your most memorable travel experiences and why it stands out.
I visited the City of San Francisco, in the USA for the first time during the year 2016, and was thrilled and excited to have had the opportunity to visit “Alcatraz” Island, which was a US Maximum Security Prison, a place that I never expected to have the opportunity to visit. I read about it during my early schooling at primary school.
Give us a travel tip you don’t think anyone else gives… or that isn’t given enough…
Pack your suitcase early, the day before, and always have a checklist of the essential items which you need to travel with.
Based on the five senses and thinking about travelling what do you…
Like to see: Different things, unique attractions of foreign countries
Like to taste: I love eating Salmon, and will eat Salmon anywhere, my preferred food.
Like to feel: I always want to feel in good spirit and positive, feeling strong and knowing that I am healthy motivates me.
Like to hear: I like to hear positive news, it makes me feel good, especially news of good deeds and goodwill.
Like to smell: I like the smell of Lemongrass
Do you have any suggestions on resources for other travel and tourism stakeholders? Any websites, publications, podcasts, thought leaders you can recommend or newsletters we should sign up to?
Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows:
I am a Christian, an Anglican. I pray a lot, almost daily.
Lastly, what are your sentiments on the evolution of trade shows being part virtual?
I do not like Virtual, I like meeting people in person and at trade shows. I believe that physical meetings are more beneficial, and allow me to showcase my personality, and have a clear picture and true feeling of the person that I am meeting with.
