‘Let’s appreciate the success of the country’s tourism industry,’ says minister |04 July 2015

The Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange has called on the people of Seychelles to appreciate the successes of the country’s tourism industry.

He was speaking during Question Time in the National Assembly this week on the strategies that the ministry that he heads is working on to keep attracting visitors to Seychelles.

Minister St Ange said he sincerely believes that the way forward that Seychelles has adopted is working positively for the tourism industry and that it will stand it in good stead thoughout the coming years.

Talking on the strategies, he said Seychelles will continue to be promoted not only as a luxury destination but as one which is affordable and where establishments are managed by Seychellois families.    

He said this forms part of the long-term strategies that the ministry is adopting, through the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) which is responsible for the marketing of the islands.

He also gave details of the many strategies that the STB is working on, which he said are benefiting the industry as statistics are showing an increase in tourist arrivals to our shores.

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and today when we look at the performance of the Seychelles tourism industry we have to accept that we are on the right track,” Minister St Ange said.

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the STB remain flexible in developing new strategies depending on the trend of the tourism and world economy, he added.

“Today, all the major international conferences are discussing on the need to merge tourism and culture together, but Seychelles has ventured into this avenue long before,” he said.

Minister St Ange said plans and new strategies depend on two main elements -- challenges faced by the tourism sector and secondly financial resources.

He spoke about the need to keep working in close partnership with members of the press, as we are a ‘press-friendly destination’.

“Visibility is the key to marketing a country and we always need to find ways to remain visible,” he added.

Minister St Ange said air connectivity remains a vital aspect which will enable the strategies to work.