Cap Ternay hotel project revamped |28 May 2013

The former project, which was for a 453-room development, has now been downsized to around 180 rooms and villas.
A meeting to present the revised project was held between the chief executive of the Emirates Group His Highness Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and his delegation, and the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment Pierre Laporte, Minister for Land Use and Housing Christian Lionnet, Minister for Environment and Energy Rolph Payet, and Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange.

The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Land Use and Housing.

Minister Laporte said that although the project is still a concept, it is much more acceptable now and more in line with the values that the country is asking to be respected in such projects.

“The re-submitted project is still at concept stage for now, although we think that having more direct investment in Seychelles is critical,” he said.

The project was first submitted in 2006, and according to Minister St Ange, the project was asked to be downsized.

“If approved, the project should be completed in a couple of years or so, and Seychelles needs to make sure that it has a bank of hotels to cater for the visitors coming here. I fully support this project, and I think it is important that we have hotel projects which are sustainable to the economy of the country and can sustain the people by giving them jobs, and contribute to the development of the country,” he said.

He added that if approved it will be a win-win situation for both parties and that the developers will soon have a technical team in Seychelles and will work closely with the Planning Authorities in going over the finer points of the project, and a new Environment Impact Assessment will be done.

According to Minister Payet nothing has been finalised yet, and fresh consultations will be held, where the public can express their views and concerns about the project.

He cited some examples where the Emirates Group had built hotels in ‘sensitive’ areas in sync with the natural habitat.
“The developers are very sensitive to the environment, and of the small businesses that live off such areas and have a track record of this. Looking at examples of Fregate, Silhouette, and Denis Island, proceeds from tourism development projects are actually helping with conservation of the environment,” he said.

The project was said to contain specific details that access to such areas by the public would not be prohibited, especially to those who make a living from such areas through activities such as making excursions.

With regard to concerns by some people over such developments being carried out in places of such natural beauty and protected natural reserves, Minister Laporte said that in his opinion this is only the views of a small minority of people and do not necessarily represent the wishes of the government and the entire nation, although the government does respect the views of each Seychellois.

Speaking to the press, His Highness Mr Al Maktoum said they will respect the views of the nation in bringing forward their project, and will work on having a project that will best do that.

“We always respect the environment and promote conservation, and our other projects in other countries show this,” he said.

“We are always ready to sit down with the officials and see how feasible the project is and how best to proceed with it if approved.”