Seychelles concludes China mission to strengthen culture and tourism cooperation |14 November 2026

Principal secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis, has concluded an official mission to China focused on integrating cultural heritage into tourism and strengthening cooperation through training and cultural exchanges.

Mrs Francis led a delegation comprising Janice Bristol, manager for product diversification; Petra Savy, standards and monitoring officer; and Francisca Rigodon, customer service officer at the Heritage Foundation.

Speaking about the event, Mrs Francis mentioned that the training and exchanges organised by the Central Academy of Cultural and Tourism Administration (CACTA) were highly informative. 

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and China. Over these five decades, our partnership has grown steadily, founded on mutual respect, equality and practical cooperation. In 2024, during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, our relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership. That decision reflects the maturity and promise of our ties, and events such as today’s cultural exchange bring that partnership to life,” said Mrs Francis.

The mission began with the seminar on the Integrated Development of Culture and Tourism for African Countries, organised by the CACTA in Beijing from October 29 to November 4, 2026. Seychelles participated alongside delegations from Madagascar, Benin, Chad and Cameroon.

During the seminar, the Seychelles delegation presented a cultural tourism case study, highlighting efforts to preserve and share Creole identity. Examples included the Unesco-inscribed Moutya, Domaine de Val des Près and Rendezvous Diguois on La Digue. The presentation also explored how local knowledge, crafts, cuisine and storytelling can contribute to visitor experiences, with an emphasis on community participation and authenticity.

The delegation then travelled to Zhejiang Province, where Mrs Francis delivered opening remarks at the ‘Wood & World: The Art Exhibition of African Wood Sculptures’ at the Zhejiang Art Museum in Hangzhou on November 6. On November 7, she spoke at the opening of the China–Africa Tourism and Cultural Cooperation Forum in Yiwu, Jinhua.

In her remarks, Mrs Francis noted the 50th anniversary of Seychelles-China diplomatic relations and reaffirmed Seychelles’ interest in cooperation with Zhejiang and Jinhua in cultural exchange, tourism promotion, capacity building and sustainable destination development.

"I thank the Chinese government for funding this mission and our hosts in Beijing and Zhejiang for their warm hospitality and for creating these valuable opportunities for learning and cooperation,” said Mrs Francis.

Insights gained during the mission will inform ongoing work to integrate cultural heritage into Seychelles’ tourism offerings and strengthen cooperation with China.

Press release and photos from the tourism department