Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Foreign Affairs, Sylvestre Radegonde, revealed that the Indian Ocean island’s tourism performance for 2023 had shown an impressive rise in the number of visiting tourists.
In 2023, the island recorded 350 879 visitors entering the country – a rise of close to 20 000 visitors compared with 2022.
Germany contributed the highest number of visitors, with 54 925, followed by France with 42 410, and Russia with 38 172.
To elaborate on the progress of the previous year, the Director of Strategic Planning, Chris Matombe, presented a detailed overview of Seychelles’ tourism performance, shedding light on the factors that influence tourist arrivals, such as geo-global impacts, air connectivity, and market limitations.
Radegonde then addressed the impact of global events on Seychelles’ tourism, emphasising the resilience and adaptability of the sector in response to challenges.
“Seychelles has demonstrated remarkable resilience amidst global challenges, and our commitment to sustainable tourism remains unwavering,” said Radegonde.
The Minister further shared insights into the proactive initiatives undertaken by the government to boost tourism, including policy measures, promotional strategies and product development. He also spoke on the importance of yield and the quality of visitors, acknowledging the need to consider the carrying capacity of the islands.
The discussion also touched on the economic influence on tourism and measures taken to ensure sustainability, aligning tourism growth with aspects such as environmental and cultural conservation.
Radegonde emphasised the necessity for a collaborative effort in maintaining the sustainability of the sector and improving the quality of both service and the destination. “Government initiatives, coupled with community involvement, are pivotal in ensuring Seychelles remains a premier tourist destination,” he explained.
To conclude, Radegonde and Matombe gave an optimistic outlook, outlining their projections and strategic initiatives for 2024.
The Department of Tourism anticipates a 5% upswing in visitor arrivals, aiming to reach 368 500 visitors by the end of the year.
