Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture getting closer to complete his hotel door-to-door visit on the island of Praslin
Almasalla- Arab Travel Portal News – Seychelles vision, that its people should claim back its tourism industry is well set in the business attitudes of its nation. More than ever, Seychellois are taking ownership of their country’s tourism industry and are giving an increased commercial value to the island’s hospitality industry.
Praslin, the second biggest island of the Seychelles with a range of 117 small and large hotels is a perfect example where 90% of the properties are owned by Seychellois, who not only know their island inside out, but are today providing personalize service with a special touch of the Seychellois warmth. In its continued drive to visits all 117 small and large hotels on Praslin, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Anne Lafortune Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Naiken the Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Tourism Board and Nathalie Didon, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Tourism Board headed to Praslin on Thursday 12th of June for a third visit on the island to visit another twenty hotels.
With seventy two hotels visited so far and forty five remaining, this kept Minister St.Ange and his delegation much closer in the undertaking to complete its door-to-door visit on Praslin by the month of July Getting closer to Baie Ste. Anne, Praslin’s down town, it was evident guest houses and Self Catering are owned in this area of Praslin by the islanders who believe that they are today the machine of the island’s economy.
The great bonus for holiday makers booking a room in these properties is its proximity to the Island’s jetty. Only walking distance from the jetty and close to commercial areas, these guesthouses and small hotels are ideal for international and domestic travelers visiting Praslin. Guesthouses and hotels located in Praslin’s centre not only develop the sense of business hospitality but ventured into craft and textile.
The hospitality and tourism industry on Praslin has come to the realization that business can only grow on the Island if holiday makers have places to go to cash in on locally made products. Having a small souvenir shop, with products made in Seychelles, or venturing into an open air museum contributes to add value to their properties.
Guest Houses and small hotels in the Baie Ste. Anne downtown area provide a conducive level of comfort, design and personality at all inclusive prices. They are the gateway to the island of La Digue they all say. With the South East Monsoon and strong wind at this time of the year, beach goers are inconvenienced by some seaweed. Owners of tourism establishments explained to Minister St.Ange and his delegation that they have to be innovative in their approach, so that beaches remain clean at all times. In general on Praslin, the small establishments are receiving positive guest feedbacks.
Jenny’s Self Catering at Grand Anse, Villa Calice at La Pointe, Coco de Mer – Black Parrot Hotel at Anse Bois de Rose, Le Grand Bleu, Pointe Cabris, Chalet Cote Mer and Colibri at Baie Ste. Anne, Cavern Self Catering Apartments at Baie Ste Anne, Le Port Guest House at Baie Ste. Anne, Maison Belle at Baie Ste. Anne, Chez Roro at Baie Ste. Anne all has a feel of belonging to the Praslin tourism industry and have expressed the desire to grow their businesses.
On the second day of the visit, Friday 13th June, which started with an early morning tour of properties located at Anse Gouvernement, it was interesting to observe that hotels in this region of Praslin, are steadily growing their business and continue to strive in their efforts to win a bigger share of the island’s tourism market.
Innovative ideas are surfacing in these establishments to retain their positions in up front market especially in the Cote d’Or region, the prime beach destination of Praslin with a high number of small properties and restaurants.
As some restaurants saw a chance to diversify into new activities such as guesthouses, there’s growing concern of emerging “illegal restaurants’’ on the beach. Such activity is seen as detrimental to legal restaurants positioning in this area. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture condemned this practice saying it should be curbed because it tarnishes the Seychelles image.
Talking with owners and managers of L’Archipel, Villa Milles Etoiles, Sky Blue Guest House, Omusee Self Catering, Les Villas D’Or, Cote d’Or Lodge, Cote d’Or Footprints, Coconut Residence, Cote d’or Self Catering Apartment, Pirogue Lodge and Iles des Palmes and National Heritage Treasure Trail, the same message was echoed, that Seychelles should claim back its tourism industry.
