Seychelles’ tourism industry mourns passing of longtime hotelier Louis D’Offay |20 July 2017

Seychelles has lost a well-known and respected tourism personality, Louis D’Offay, who passed away at his home on Praslin on Tuesday, at the age of 73.

Mr D’Offay who described himself as a self-taught hotelier, began his journey in the tourism industry with the small beach property at Côte d’Or known as Village du Pêcheur.

Tucked at the end of Côte d’Or bay on Praslin, Hotel L'Archipel, an establishment which he built in the late 1980s, can be described as his greatest success story.

As a businessman, he invested time, money and expertise in several other ventures, especially in tourism properties on Praslin and La Digue.

Mr D’Offay was also the longest serving chairman of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA), stepping down in 2013 after serving as the association’s chairman for 15 years.

He was also a long serving member on the Board of the Seychelles Tourism Board and its predecessor the Seychelles Marketing Authority, up until 2012.

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne has paid homage to Mr D’Offay for his contribution, dedication and long years of service to the industry.

“Our Seychellois tourism family has lost a hard working son. We will celebrate your contribution to Seychelles as we pray for you. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the family,” said Mr Loustau-Lalanne.

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has also joined the tourism ministry in extending sincere sympathy and conveying words of comfort to the families and friends of Mr D’Offay and to the local tourism industry.

The chief executive of the STB, Sherin Francis, said: “The Seychelles’ tourism industry has lost one of its pioneers. I am convinced that Mr D’Offay will be remembered for the great work he has done for the industry and for Seychelles.”

Meanwhile, the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has joined its voice to that of so many tourism establishments in Seychelles to express its sincere sadness as the passing away of Mr D’Offay, a veteran and defender of the tourism industry in Seychelles.

The SCCI said “Mr D’Offay brought the L’Archipel Hotel to a high popularity within the European tourism market, hence opening an avenue for an influx of tourism on Praslin island which is still flowing today to the benefit of the Praslin economy.”

The SCCI has also presented its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr D’Offay.