Sustainability has become integral to Seychelles. This was the consensus reached at the recent Experience Seychelles Mega Fam event hosted by Seychelles Tourism Board and attended by more than 65 travel industry participants from around the world.
The granite islands of Seychelles are rich in natural resources, including about 75 endemic plant species. Visitors can see such curiosities as the tiny Seychelles frog (about the size of a little finger) and the giant beetle, the world's largest flying insect. Approximately 335,000 visitors visit the Seychelles every year, particularly attracted by these special ecological treasures, which the Seychelles government is working hard to protect and preserve.
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Last August, the government introduced an environmental sustainability levy for travellers, which would help protect the natural beauty of destinations for future generations. The levy is part of the Seychelles government's wider strategy to encourage responsible travel. Through this approach, Seychelles not only preserves its rich environmental heritage, but also provides travelers with the opportunity to participate in larger global conservation efforts.
“Fifty per cent of our land and 30 per cent of our sea territory are protected,” said Tourism Commissioner Sherin Francis. “Because not only are we protecting the island for future generations, we are also taking care of our bread and butter.” “Our strategy going forward is to build a better kind of tourism for Seychelles: high value but low impact.”
It is not just the government that understands the importance of investing in sustainability, but the country's hotels and other stakeholders are also actively contributing.
Commitment to community, conservation
Located on Silhouette Island, the goal of Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort and Spa is not only to provide stunning beaches and unforgettable luxury experiences, but also to empower the local island community. Our on-site hotel training college allows Seychellois youth to develop their careers in tourism while working at Hilton resorts around the world. Hilton says investing in local talent fosters economic mobility and pride in the tourism industry, which it says is important for preserving the island.
When Hilton built the resort at Silhouette, he decided to keep the original farmhouse on the land. The hotel mainly manages the farmhouse for the original owners who work on the island of Mahe, so they can return for weekend stays or holidays. Hilton now helps its owners manage and maintain their properties and provides free ferries for local residents to travel to and from Mahe.
coral reef reconstruction
Club Med Seychelles is located on Saint Anne Island, the first island in Seychelles to be settled. It became a marine national park in 1973, making it the first national park in the Indian Ocean to protect wildlife.
Club Med has taken important steps to preserve the environment. Recognizing the dire state of the coral reefs around the island, Club Med began a program working with marine biologists and local experts to restore damaged coral reefs and restore the fragile ecosystem that protects the marine life that depends on them.
Rehabilitation of coral reefs will not only contribute to the health of the Seychelles' ecosystem, but will also ensure the long-term sustainability of the snorkeling and diving experiences that are vital to the tourism industry.
Another eco-friendly decision: You won't see private watercraft plying the waters at Club Med. The activities menu only includes non-motorized sports.
Choose a nature reserve over a resort
At Cap Lazare Nature Reserve, sustainability shapes everything. The 150-acre family-owned refuge is located in the Baie Lazare wilderness in Mahe. Despite considerable interest in the resort (there were many offers to purchase land), the Albert family instead invested in more land. They acquired nearby land to establish a nature reserve focused on preserving biodiversity and celebrating Seychellois culture.
Cap Lazare now offers a sanctuary where giant Seychelles tortoises can roam free. It also hosts a variety of events, from private functions to yoga retreats and weddings, and its UNESCO-listed Moutya dance and Creole restaurant allows visitors to experience conservation and culture in one place.
A sustainable success story
Seychelles has achieved an innovative balance of conservation and business through sustainable harvesting of the iconic Coco de Mer fruit. Weighing up to 80 pounds, this rare palm fruit grows only on two protected islands in the Seychelles. According to local legend, the strange shapes of the male and female nuts originate from the forbidden love between ancient gods, immortalized in the palms of their hands. Due to strict government supervision, low harvests do not affect future yields. Selected female nuts can be replanted or left alone and only certified nuts can be sold, supporting the regenerative processes that are important for the survival of this endemic species.
Nothing goes to waste. The kernels are processed for culinary and health products, and artisans create perfumes in an on-site factory that subtly capture the essence of the nut. This creative enterprise highlights Seychelles' pioneering green model linking tourism, heritage and ecology. It also enables income for local residents while respecting biodiversity.
Broader efforts to support these kinds of conservation efforts, empower local communities and promote cultural heritage will undoubtedly help preserve the Seychelles' incomparable beauty.
