The Seychelles Tourism Festival 2023: Bridging the Past and the Future

The Seychelles Tourism Festival 2023: Bridging the Past and the Future

The Seychelles Tourism Festival, an annual event that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and natural beauty of the Seychelles islands, was launched at the Heritage Tour at La Plaine St. André, Au Cap. The festival is a significant platform for promoting Seychelles as a premier tourist destination. The theme for this year’s festival, ‘Bridging the Past and the Future’, encapsulates the essence of the event.

The opening ceremony of the festival attracted a mixed crowd, ranging from individuals from the tourism industry to a handful of tourists, despite inclement weather. Speaking at the ceremony, Sherin Francis, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, reminded attendees about the crucial role of the tourism industry in Seychelles and its people-centric nature. She applauded the pioneers of the industry and called for a revival of the spirit of camaraderie and excellent service.

The Driving Force of Seychelles’ Economy

Tourism is the largest industry in Seychelles, contributing over 75% of foreign exchange earnings. The industry provides more than 30% of employment in the country, with at least one or two people from every household depending on it for their livelihood. Francis emphasized the importance of the sector in the country’s economic diversification strategy and urged the youth to consider a career in tourism.

Francis Mondon, the General Manager of Trois Frères Distillery, also spoke at the event. He shared the success story of the distillery, which attracts between 300 to 400 visitors per day and has won 48 international awards. The distillery collaborates with the Tourism department and organises tours for operators.

A Journey Through Seychelles’ Tourism History

The launch included a video presentation about the history of tourism in Seychelles and a fashion show by students from the Lospitalite School Clubs. Attendees were given a tour of the distillery and were treated to locally made mocktails and cocktails, as well as Creole dishes. Entertainment was provided by the Lansiv Band.

As of 2023, Seychelles has 775 tourism establishments with 7,373 rooms. 57% of these are self-catering, guest houses, or small hotel establishments, all of which are locally owned. This rich variety enhances the tourism experience and contributes to the charm of Seychelles as a tourist destination.