Seychellois need to venture into other avenues in our tourism industry, says Minister St Ange
ATP- Arab tourism portal- There is a need for the Seychellois people venturing into opening businesses in the tourism sector to move more towards other avenues instead only hotels, guest houses and car hire.
The Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange said this while in the National Assembly during Question Time this week answering a set of questions put forth by the parliamentarians in relation to this ministry.
He was responding to a question from the elected member of the Grand Anse district on Praslin island Marc Volcere in regards to putting up new facilities to encourage visitors to spend more during their stay on Praslin.
Minister St.Ange said the Ministry of Tourism and Culture continues to encourage more people to venture into opening tourism related businesses on Praslin.
This, he said, was the appeal made by the government calling on Seychellois to claim back their tourism industry.
He added that a lot of Seychellois have chosen to open hotels, guest houses and car hire businesses but there is a lack of businesses in the restaurant sector especially those offering local Creole cuisine.
Minister St.Ange said there possibility still exists in sunset cruises and opening of stand-alone bars and these are areas which people need to venture more into.
“The ministry will continue to play its role to bring visitors closer to the communities but there is a need for our people to provide adequate activities which will capture the interest of those visitors, thus getting them to spend more,” he added.
This is why the government has taken the decision to launch the concept of putting our culture in the centre of our tourism development.
Minister St.Ange said the Praslin Culinary and Arts Fiesta organised for the first time last year was a true success and it was a chance for the island to showcase the Creole culture and to bring forth what it has to offer.
He also spoke about the hotel grading programme which the ministry is working on whereby one of the elements will be for hotels to showcase the local culture.
