In a bid to take its message to the heart of the tourism industry, the U-First Unit this week met with front-line staff from Creole Holidays, all the while spreading the mantra of "Responsible Tourism."

The meeting, held in Creole Holiday's new Orion Mall headquarters, was attended by a wide selection of the Destination Management Company's (DMC) staff, who were called upon to follow through on the 2004 Responsible Tourism theme.

The Ministry of Tourism and Transport's U-First Unit head, Mr John Stravens explained that, of the many elements that make up the national tourism industry, the most important are the tourism businesses themselves, which is why they are being targeted in the latest drive.

Mr Stravens said that the Unit was using such meetings as a venue to inform the tourism workers of their responsibilities within the industry in an effort to increase its success.

The first U-First talk was given recently to future tourism workers at the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Training College (SHTTC) and the Unit is already planning on further visits to tourism trade bodies.

Mr Stravens said that the Unit intends to reach all DMC's, major hotels and to run group sessions for the smaller establishments, by the end of the year.

Asked about the importance of such a meeting Mr Stravens said that it was two fold, "One is to remind (the staff) of their importance in their role and the other is to take from them their critiques of their work, so that in future we can use it to influence our programmes."

Similar U-First industry visits have taken place in previous years, but the Unit has said that it is hoping to place greater emphasis on the scheme in 2004.

Creole Holidays' Public Relations Executive, Guillaume Albert said that the company agreed with the concept of responsible tourism.

"Everyone should work together for the industry. Cooperation between hotels, tour guides, DMC's, it's all very important," he said.

Mr Albert also welcomed the competition element of the U-First programme saying that any ideas which help raise tourism standards would be encouraged.

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