Seychelles Tourism is engaging partners to adopt a uniform grading system for the country’s tourism industry from September.

The national classification programme, which has been in the works since 2016, aims to increase industry standards and professionalism while improving the destination’s market value.

The programme features a well-established grading system that will inform guests about accommodation standards and what to expect from the product offering prior to making a purchase.

Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary for Tourism, announced the national classification programme during a press briefing at the end of last month.

The new law containing the ‘Tourism Development Standard Regulations’ was due to be published in an Official Gazette on July 1, but Sinha Levkovic, Director for the Industry Planning and Development Unit at Tourism Seychelles, informed Tourism Update that the regulations are undergoing final amendments and at this point there is no fixed date for its publication.

Francis stated in the press conference that the national classification programme would feature two categories and the grade would be valid for two years from the date of issuing unless cancelled by the department.

The first category is the Star Grading, which applies to hotels of 15 rooms and more, as well as island resorts of all sizes.

This programme is mandatory for hotels of 51 rooms and more, while it remains voluntary for hotels of 50 rooms to 16 rooms.

The second category is the Seychelles Secret brand, for hotels of 15 rooms or less, as well as self-catering and guest houses of all sizes.

“This initiative has been in the works for quite some time. Our industry’s survival will be determined by our ability to compete. It is critical to remember that one of the major factors influencing a visitor’s choice of a destination is the standard of facilities and services on offer, and this programme will allow us to exert some control over the products available in Seychelles,” said Francis.

Seychelles Secrets

There will be three levels of awards for the Seychelles Secrets brand based on the available facilities and services.

Establishments will be classed as Seychelles Secrets Gold, Seychelles Secrets Silver, or Seychelles Secrets Bronze.

Each establishment will receive a plaque displaying the attained rating, as well as an official letter.

During the two-year term, the Tourism Department will conduct monitoring visits to ensure that standards are maintained. Regrading will be subject to a formal assessment prior to the expiry of the certification.

Establishments will be notified if their standards decline and a grace period will be granted to correct deficiencies. The department may suspend or cancel an award if the establishment no longer meets the qualifying standards of the grading system.

Levkovic also stated that the industry planning and development team would begin contacting partners in the coming weeks to begin basic preparations for implementation in September.