Geographic Description

Seychelles is an archipelago of approximately 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of southern Africa just north of Madagascar.

Tourism Policy Environment

Tourism development in Seychelles is guided by three documents:

• Vision 21: Tourism Development in Seychelles 2001-2010 (2001);
• Seychelles Ecotourism Strategy for the 21^st Century (SETS-21; 2003); and
• Seychelles Strategy 2017 (2001).

Tourism development in Seychelles is largely guided by Vision 21: Tourism Development in Seychelles 2001-2010 (2001). According to Vision 21, the vision for Seychelles tourism is that “tourism in Seychelles shall continue to be developed to the highest standards for the optimum social and economic benefit of the Seychellois people while maintaining a commitment to the protection and conservation of the natural environment and biodiversity” (Government of Seychelles, 2001: 2). The goals for 2001-2010 are that:

• Tourism in the Seychelles will be expanded gradually, with facilities, services and infrastructure developed to a higher quality level and more activities provided for tourists.
• Tourist markets will be broadened to include more nationalities and both general and special interest tourists, and access will be improved to reach more market areas.
• Expenditures per tourist day will be increased and there will be more value-added in the country, which will enhance economic benefits to the Seychelles.
• Tourism will be developed on a sustainable basis and not exceed carrying capacities, and the unique land and marine environment and cultural heritage of the Seychelles will continue being protected and conserved.
• Seychellois will continue being sensitised to the importance of tourism and providing good service standards to tourists, and given opportunities to work in tourism at all levels.

Seychelles has developed a comprehensive national ecotourism strategy, called SETS-21 (2003) as part of its national tourism strategy. SETS-21 includes natural environment, marine environment, community-based tourism, cultural heritage, handicrafts, beaches, and city redevelopment goals. These various goals are addressed on both policy and management levels. SETS-21 also lays out a plan to develop an ecotourism certification scheme, but this plan has yet to be implemented.

Seychelles Strategy 2017 is the Seychelles government’s plan for developing Seychelles and improving the quality of life for Seychellois through the “focused” expansion of tourism and fisheries (Government of Seychelles, 2007: 9).  The predominance of foreign ownership is recognised as a major threat to the sector’s sustainability, thus increasing local participation in the sector is viewed as an important element of the proposed expansion (Government of Seychelles, 2007).

In 2008, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and the Seychelles Investment Bureau (SIB) developed the Integration Policy in Tourism in order to ensure that the whole economy benefited from tourism. The policy primarily serves to expand the market through competition (Seychelles Nation, 2008).  The STB and SIB aim to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism reach all Seychellois.

Seychelles does, however, have a National Ecotourism Committee, which focuses on the following tasks (Government of Seychelles, 2003):

• Compiling  and reviewing baseline ecotourism information;
• Compiling legislation and reviewing the regulatory framework;
• Fostering Partnerships
• Preparing detailed project appraisal and approval guidelines;
• Establishing a monitoring structure and certification scheme;
• Raising public awareness; and

Organising a national and regional training programme.

Certification / Award Programmes

NA

TFCAs

NA