The meeting, chaired by Mr Michel in his capacity as minister for tourism – which post he recently assumed – was held at State House and was initiated by the tourism and trade leaders themselves.

In his welcoming remarks, he said the meeting aimed to examine all issues that keep troubling the tourism industry.

“Creating such opportunities for discussions ensures that critical and timely decisions can be taken and the trappings of bureaucracy can be avoided, especially given the importance of the tourism industry as the pillar of the Seychelles economy.

"The tourism industry is the motor of the economy, the creator of national wealth. The government's role is to ensure that the best possible environment is created to enable the industry to unleash its potential," said Mr Michel.

"My Government will do everything to continue to develop a dynamic, smart, and result-orientated synergy with the private sector," he added.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) chief executive Alain St Ange said following the launch by Mr Michel of the Seychelles Brand of tourism a few weeks ago, it was important to discuss how to make it a reality.

He said Mr Michel stressed the fact that the STB is in the driving seat to make the brand a reality. However, the STB cannot do this alone, and it needs others to be involved such as those in the tourism trade themselves.

The meeting was a great opportunity to put to the President and ministers different views on the brand, and how the various obstacles preventing it from developing can be overcome, he added.

“The most important thing is that the country will develop a true master plan for tourism; before that happens it is necessary to have a consultation process, and today’s meeting was the first step,” said Mr St Ange.

He said it was an opportunity to analyse all existing barriers, and to seek ways to remove them before we can move forward.

At the end of the day, the aim is to make Seychelles more business-friendly for the benefit of the economy and the people.
 
Mr St Ange said that now all the problems the industry faces have come out, the STB will go back to all important stakeholders and, through a series of meetings, seek their input and points of view to prepare the plan.

Also speaking to the media after the meeting, Louis d’Offay – chairman of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association – said he was satisfied with the outcome of this first consultative meeting.

He noted various obstacles that are hindering development in the tourism sector, and which the meeting addressed:

- Seeking ways to encourage business in Seychelles, remove barriers and make the country more competitive as a destination.

- High operational costs. The government has been asked to review planning procedures which slow business development, especially for small hoteliers.

- The state of our infrastructure such as the ports where visitors disembark, both on Mahe and on Praslin. These include the Baie Ste Anne jetty, which needs refurbishment, and the international airport at Point Larue, which is no longer of a high enough standard and is becoming congested on certain days.

- The state of our roads, which are deteriorating with the increase in traffic, especially now with more hotel developments. Taxi operators, car hire firms and other operators in the industry are spending a lot on repairs and maintenance.
 
Mr d’Offay said the meeting was a chance to address the main issues affecting the tourism industry in general now, and which may be a bigger problem in future if not tackled promptly.

He said Mr Michel took note of all the problems and concerns brought to his attention. He promised that they will be addressed and all suggestions studied to see what can be done in the shortest possible time.

“The tourism industry is the pillar of our economy, and if we fail to make it succeed the whole nation will suffer,” said Mr d’Offay.

Asked about the timing of the meeting, he said all the issues raised have previously been discussed and taken up through various channels, but because Mr Michel has recently taken on the portfolio for tourism it was a chance to put him in the picture concerning the problems that have been facing the industry for several years.

Mr d’Offay said he was very impressed by the talks that took place, especially the presence of key figures such as several ministers, principal secretaries and representatives of airlines.

He added that he is confident the industry will move forward.

“We feel confident that the problems which have been discussed today will be looked into, because all the issues and problems raised have been heard by all and we welcome this in the hope that solutions will be found,” he said.

Mr St Ange said the Seychelles tourism industry will be celebrating 40 years next year, so it will be a fitting time to have a true tourism master plan.

He welcomed the suggestions that came up at this first meeting, adding that important announcements made included the fact that land will be made available for Seychellois, and for Seychellois in partnership with foreigners, to develop tourism projects.

Large investment projects will now be broken down into smaller ones to benefit smaller investors, he said.
“This, I believe, is the Seychelles Brand we want to develop,” said Mr St Ange.

“It will be a brand of tourism that will be ours, in which we will all have a part and where all Seychellois will reclaim the industry and work to protect it.”