From Saint Ange Tourism Report
Seychelles has entered the State of the Nation period and everyone must be saying that it was fascinating listening and watching Seychelles’ President Faure’s State Address last week. A few lines came up about tourism, the industry that is and that will remain the pillar of the Seychelles economy.
The recent developments since the last Budget Address have had many leading private industry players to meeting saying the need is now for the country to acquire a better overall understanding of the Seychelles tourism industry.
Today is everyone really happy with the status quo.
Operating Costs is forever rising and this is today being taken for granted. The cost of food with is way too high and now to compound the problem needed work permits for expatriate staff may be subjected to having a trainee attached if we are all to take for granted the recent declarations. The BIG Question being asked is if Seychelles taking its tourism industry for granted? and this at a time when so many Seychellois are dependant on this very industry.
The cost increases for the industry are seen as challenges being faced at a time when Air France is relooking at the Seychelles run, British Airways reduced rates to fill its seats which now begs the question of viability of this run after their initial exemplary rate management strategy on the Seychelles run.
Recent discussions on applicable salary and employment conditions in this sector caused a lot of debate. Staff benefits are often a consequence of the high operating costs being placed on the industry. The time is appropriate to redo a study on applicable costs in the region and on destinations seen as competing for attention in Tour operator Brochures. The first impact after opening a brochure is the price of packages.
Comparison of Electricity, Water, VAT, Taxes, Work Permit Fees, Transport Costs for Staff, Security and Interests for loans and overdrafts.
The State is the biggest partner for the Seychelles Tourism Industry and needs to be as involved as the private sector trade in looking at ways and means to make the industry work. If cost is troubling the private sector trade, then the State has a duty of care to be by the side of their partner, the Industry’s Private Sector Trade. Encourage the sector to flourish is the responsibility of the country and in return the staff should be better cared for and the island’s economy will be consolidated.
