Vanilla Islands

Vanilla Islands (French: Les Îles Vanille) is a new vacation destination brand formed by the islands of Seychelles, Madagascar, Réunion (France), Mauritius, Comoros, and Mayotte (France) in the Indian Ocean. The goal of the cooperation, which was created on August 4, 2010, in La Réunion, is to pool resources and sell the region as a whole, rather than marketing each island separately as was previously done.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE “VANILLA ISLANDS?”

The ‘Vanilla Islands’ are a marketing concept developed in 2010. Tourism specialists realised that the only way to promote Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, and Mayotte as tourist destinations was to share resources and expertise.

This allowed not only for the development of new products (combined destinations and cruises) to complement those previously available but also for the fulfilment of new client expectations (BRICS).

Visiting multiple islands in a single trip lessens environmental impact and aids in the preservation of the region’s spectacular but vulnerable ecosystems.

Vanilla was a common asset employed by the Indian Ocean Islands to start a brand that would help build renown and market these places internationally. Vanilla is a natural commodity and cooking ingredient that attracts a lot of tourists.

THE NOTORIETY OF THE INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS

Building the Indian Ocean Islands’ reputation will surely attract more tourists. This is why each of the islands has its own ‘Vanilla Island’ event:

• International Tourism Fair (ITM) in Madagascar

• Kreol festival in Mauritius

• Seychelles Carnival

• Liberté Métisse Festival in Reunion

• Heritage and Culture festival in Comoros

• Mayotte Lagoon Festival

Because unity is a strength, having all of the islands participate in each of these events might result in a lot of media attention, which can assist promote awareness of the area.

Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)

The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is an intergovernmental organisation that connects the African Indian Ocean states of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion (a French overseas territory), and Seychelles. China, the European Union, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the Sovereign Order of Malta, India, Japan, and the United Nations are among the observers.

The IOC was founded in 1982 in Port-Louis, Mauritius, and was formalised by the Victoria Agreement in 1984. (Seychelles).

Members of ‘Vanilla Islands’

Comoros is made up of three countries. The Grand Comores, Moheli, and Anjouan islands. Mayotte is a Comoros island. Endemism is relatively common in terrestrial and marine animals and flora, including algae. 

Madagascar’s geographical position and isolation have aided the development of extraordinary biodiversity, with the island home to an estimated 90% unique flora and 80% endemic fauna. Apart from serving as habitat for fauna and flora, they also serve as water towers, climate regulators, and silt-prevention barriers.

Mauritius is a 2,040 square kilometre island located 20 degrees south of the equator and 57.5 degrees east of the equator. It is located in the Mascarene Islands off the east coast of Africa, east of Madagascar. The city is rich in cultural and historical resources, such as Aapravasi Ghat, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mayotte, a French island in the Mozambique Channel, is part of the Comoros archipelago. It’s split into two halves. Petite Terre, the smallest island, is home to the airport, while Grande Terre is the largest. A barrier reef encircles the islands, forming the world’s largest confined lagoon.

Reunion Island is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean located 800 kilometres east of Madagascar. The Mascarene Islands are made comprised of the islands of Reunion, Mauritius, and Rodrigues. Reunion Island is a stunningly colourful island, with tropical jungles, volcanic massifs, and sugarcane farms.

The SEYCHELLES ISLANDS, a 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is about a 10-hour flight from Europe. It is made up of granitic and coralline islands and is a great place to visit for a variety of vacations. Its fine sand beaches are lined with lovely and welcoming guesthouses, hotels tucked amid the coconut trees, and immaculate, luxury villas constructed of natural materials.

Conclusion

Representatives from the Indian Ocean’s Tourist Offices and Tourist Authorities have launched a big tourist push. The ‘Vanilla Islands’ project brings together and highlights the islands’ features in a cooperative tourist initiative that is now paying off.

All of these things may be found in the Vanilla Islands, from the most gorgeous beaches to the most stunning surroundings; from mountain excursions to coastal getaways. These gorgeous islands provide the ideal setting for family vacations, hiking trips, and even holidays in France – or at least French territory in the tropics.