Trade and stakeholders get feel of Seychelles Tourism Master Plan |23 July 2011

The presentation was organised by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA) as part of the final consultations with all those who had been part of the exhaustive multi-sectoral meetings that were carried out during the initial phase of the document.

It was economist and consultant Marquise David, who has been designated with the task of developing the document for Seychelles, who presented the draft copy to the delegates, who had come to see the outcome of their contribution in the process.

Mrs David went through the document, sharing the facts and findings, and explained the principles for creating the master plan for the country, which will develop a tourism sector that is economically sound, environmentally cognisant and socio-culturally conscious.

She further outlined the approach that had been taken as well as an overview of the economic notions related to tourism.

Mrs David also elaborated on the level and trends of the country’s various elements of tourism, such as bed capacity, bed occupancy, visitor arrivals, air seat capacity, air seat occupancy, as well as the supply of land-based and marine-based tourism support services.

The set of recommendations for the country’s tourism industry was also presented to the crowd, after which they were able to actively take part by giving their views and providing feedback, as well as raising their points of concerns on the whole document.

Speaking at the presentation, the Seychelles Tourism Board chief executive, Alain St Ange, said that the tourism master plan will chart the way forward for the industry.

“It will help us determine where our tourism industry stands today and the path we should take for the next five years, all the while ensuring economic, environmental and socio-economic sustainability,” he said.

He added: “With this master plan, our strong points and weaknesses are clear. We can now work on them to strengthen our tourism industry so as to maintain the number of visitors to our islands.”

He said that with the announcement of President James Michel last year that Seychelles has to claim back its tourism industry, it is obvious that the country will need to have a tourism master plan so that everyone feel they can contribute to that very important sector.

“Seychelles needs to consolidate its tourism and to do so it is important that the whole country works together with a common goal that will help us claim possession of the industry,“ said Mr St Ange.

Meanwhile, the chairman of SHTA, Louis D’Offay, said that the tourism master plan has come at the right moment for Seychelles.

“Seychelles’ tourism needed to have a tourism master plan that will guide development. The time has come for the country to develop a policy that strongly supports tourism development, which will benefit all Seychellois and Seychelles,” he said.

The final document is expected to be published at the end of November 2011.