New chapter opens in management of Seychelles’ cultural assets |10 April 2007

This was said by the chairman of the SHF, Patrick Nanty, when the Foundation’s Board of Directors met recently for their first meeting.

The SHF will be responsible for the management of a number of designated cultural sites which are of significant heritage value as well as being important to the country’s cultural tourism programme.

Four sites have been initially selected to come under the management of the SHF.

They are: Ex-Plantation House (Eco-Musee) at La Plaine, Au Cap; the Creole Village at Val de Pres, also at Au Cap; the Mission Ruins at Sans Souci; and the Bel Ombre Treasure Site.

Mr Nanty noted that these four sites have been chosen because each has its own unique character, hence their potential to contribute even more to cultural tourism.

He said that the aim is to make more people aware of these cultural treasures while promoting the preservation of these sites through sustainable cultural tourism. 
It is hoped that the revenue generated by this type of tourism will help with the upkeep of these sites.

Mr Nanty however stressed that access to all the sites will be allowed in a sustainable manner so as to mitigate damages that could be caused by people frequently visiting them.
One of the immediate projects on the agenda of the SHF is the opening the Ex-Plantation House to visitors once ongoing renovation work on the building is completed.

Another planned project is a historical tour of Victoria by specially trained tour guides that will be organized in conjunction with tour operators.

According to Mr Nanty, the SHF intends to involve more people from different walks of life in the preservation of the country’s cultural assets.

 “We have members on the board who bring with them an assortment of new ideas because they come from diverse sectors in society. In this way we will be able to get more people interested and involved in what we are doing,” Mr Nanty said.

The other members of the Board are Joe Albert, Eddie Belle, Gabriel Essack, Micheline Georges, Father Gustave Lafortune, Odile Jean-Louis, Adrian Skerrett, and Patrick Victor.
The members have been appointed for a period of three years.