Two way talks for TAC |14 May 2005

Drawn from a wide range of tourism related bodies the new committee met at the ICCS, where their early discussions were marked by the need for government to respond to their suggestions, even if the response is negative.

The TAC meeting was opened by Vice President and Minister for Tourism, Joseph Belmont, who restated the importance of tourism to Seychelles economy.

V.P. Belmont said that tourism nets 20 percent of Seychelles GDP, 30 percent of the foreign exchange earnings and directly creates 7,000 jobs, before adding that, "this sector has the potential to contribute even more to the Seychelles economy."

The Vice President spoke of the need for better planning and management, and to address issues of competitiveness, value for money and attitude.

"Gathered here is a wealth of experience and foresight to ensure progress and success of this very important sector for our national economy," he said.

V.P. Belmont also asked the TAC members for their support in reviewing the Vision 21 policy document.

"This blue print which has guided the development of our tourism industry remains as valid today as it was then," he said.

Vision 21 came up early in the TAC discussions with a number of members pointing out that Seychelles is far from meeting the targets set out in the document.

TAC Chair, Transport PS Gerard Lafortune, invited two senior Tourism Department staff to join the discussions in order to pick up on the recommendations made by the TAC.

The committee is made up of 20 members, of whom 17 took part in the opening discussion.

Missing were the SHTA chair Louis D'Offay, Air Seychelles CEO David Savy and Youth Enterprise boss Francis Savy.

STAB axed

A number of the members of TAC have previously served on the now defunct Seychelles Tourism Advisory Board (STAB), but expressed their hope that TAC would have more feed back than its tourism advisory predecessor.

TAC member and Chair of the Marine Charter Association, Marc Hoareau was previously a STAB member.

"I have a lot of background for this after three years on STAB. I made a very strong point about the need for feedback from government. If we advise we expect something to come back."

His sentiments were echoed by Qatar Airways area manager, Rose-Marie Hoareau, who said that the committee would be "more to the point" than STAB, but would in turn expect more responsiveness from government.

Car hire association chair Paul Hodoul that the TAC is, "just here to advise, we cannot change much, it is up to government to listen."

The next TAC meeting is scheduled for June 23.