‘Our beaches should be accessible to both visitors and residents’ |01 July 2015

“Our beaches are an attraction that we love and should all have access to for our own wellbeing and for the development of our tourism industry,” Minister Alain St Ange has said.

The Minister for Tourism and Culture reiterated that it is government policy to ensure our beaches are accessible to visitors and Seychellois alike.

Minister St Ange made those remarks in the National Assembly yesterday morning when answering a question by elected member for Grand Anse Praslin Marc Volcère.

Mr Volcère wanted to know what the ministry responsible for tourism is doing to resolve the issue where foreigners are founding it difficult to access the beach at Anse Georgette on Praslin.

Minister St Ange noted that tourism establishments situated near the beach are requested to provide reasonable access to the beach and in this particular case Lemuria Resort was no exception.

Minister St Ange added that the management of the hotel has informed his ministry that they allow all Seychellois access to the beach via the hotel’s golf course, noting though that access for visitors are upon request for security reasons.

Mr Volcère also wanted to know what the tourism ministry is doing to help improve other access routes to the same beach which Mr Volcère described as “difficult and risky”.

Minister St Ange added that it is in the interest of his ministry, who receives all the related complaints from visitors, to continue to engage in discussions with the hotel on the matter to ensure it is more flexibile and that it honours its responsibility in that regard.

But Minister St Ange has advised Mr Volcère and the district’s authorities to find out more from the Ministry of Land Use and Housing as to why a proper access road leading up to the  beach in question has to date not been built.

Meanwhile Minister St Ange said there is a need to put in place security barriers to alternative accesses being used by visitors to get to the beach and again he has called on the district’s authorities to liaise with concerned ministries so that the matter could be looked into.

In another question related to visitors staying on Praslin, Mr Volcère wanted more details on the different facilities the tourism ministry wants to see put in place to encourage visitors to spend more during their holiday.

Minister St Ange said the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) will soon make available on Eve Island facilities for shops and kiosks where artisans from Praslin can promote and sell local products to visitors.

The SPA also has plans to develop the waterfront area near the port and put in place facilities which will be an attraction for both tourists and locals.

“This will also provide an opportunity to sell local products and services all aimed at encouraging visitors to spend more,” Minister St Ange said.

Furthermore he noted that his ministry remains committed in its effort to encourage and support all initiatives which will bring more activities aimed at making visitors discover our islands, culture, way of life and ensure they do not spend their holiday indoors at their hotel.