Africa-Press – Seychelles. Being exposed, our tourism sector has been extensively affected by several global issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic, while the recent incident between Russia and Ukraine has raised a cloud of uncertainty, requiring the effort and urgency from everyone involved to protect the fragile industry.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde stressed on the point yesterday during the first Tourism Sectoral Meeting for 2022, gathering all state and private stakeholders and partners to discuss and propose solutions to challenges affecting the tourism industry.
The meeting, held at the auditorium of the Seychelles Trading Company (STC), also provided a platform for the stakeholders to take stock of the current state of the tourism industry and address recurrent and emerging issues.
Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Rose-Marie Hoareau, principal secretary for Tourism Sherin Francis, director general for Destination Marketing Bernadette Willemin, director general for Destination Planning and Development Paul Lebon, Commissioner of Police Ted Barbe, chairperson of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA) Sybille Cardon, along with representatives of various entities, including the department of Environment, Enterprise Seychelles Agency (Esa), planning authority, Ministry of Health, as well as the department of investment among others were in attendance.
Minister Radegonde noted that there should be a combined effort to ensure that the remaining tourists that come to our shore enjoy their holiday in peace and tranquillity, without being attacked, robbed, ripped-off, harassed or disturbed in any way.
The above-mentioned threats, he said, if not prevented, will directly lead to the demise of our tourism industry, thus the downfall of our economy.
The tourism minister further noted at present, the needed urgency to protect the fragile industry is not apparent.
He said, collectively, we all have our fair share of responsibility, contributing in addressing the negative factors once and for all.
Among the issues discussed at yesterday’s meeting were those related to beach vendors, commission agents and erection of structures on the seashore, following observations over the last few years by the government where there has been an increase in the number of vendors, kiosks, tables, stalls and other set ups which have sprouted on beaches and beach fronts for commercial activities.
These set-ups cover a range of activities, including fruit stalls and tables, coconut and juice vendors, makeshift BBQ grills, bars, offering both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, beach bed rentals, sun umbrellas and shades from coconut leaves.
It was noted that the majority of these activities or operators are not licensed or possess an approval to conduct their activities.
Although the Beach Control Act governs all activities on the seashore and specifies under section 19 (2) (b) that permission must be sought from the Commissioner of Police before engaging in commercial activities and placing of any of the above structures or set-ups, it is noted that in practice this regulation is not being respected.
It has been noticed that these sales outlets are often placed in inappropriate locations leading to conflicts between the users, especially when unlicensed commission agents come to compete with licensed ones, while un-licensed commission agents are often reported to have sold excursions to visitors which are never delivered leading to visitor complaints.
Additionally, a number of individuals use the pretext of such sales outlets to conduct illicit activities or traffic in illegal substances.
The conflicts between the above activities often end in physical altercations between parties, with visitors often threatened when they attempt to get their money back, while those hawking are often disturbing and aggressive to visitors.
There is also a general disregard for environmental preservation from some of these operators, who litter or leave wastes from their activities on the beach and this has the potential to deface the seashores while it also attracts rodents creating greater opportunities for the spread of diseases.
Another point on the agenda was regarding beach access. It is to note that the beach up to the high water mark is public domain, and access to beaches is considered as a right by many.
From a tourism perspective, it is important that visitors, regardless of where their accommodation is located, can have access to the beaches which is our unique selling point.
While government advocates for access to the beach to be maintained by property owners, this is as yet not covered by any law, and meanwhile, there is continued complaints that certain beaches are not accessible to all visitors because reasonable access is not being made available by the owners who are usually large hotel operators or certain island resorts.
The issue of safety and security is often cited as one of the reasons why access to certain beaches is controlled, while the agreement on what is considered reasonable access by all parties is a subject that merits further discussions.
Loud music from picnickers and cars, as well as the issue of stray dogs were also on the agenda for discussion.
The tourism department has received several complaints over the years relating to picnickers or groups of people sitting in the cars playing loud music, which disturbs the peaceful enjoyment of beaches by other users.
These activities often go late into the evening with total disregard of residences or tourism accommodation in the vicinity, while littering from picnickers is also an issue that has raised several complaints from visitors, neighbouring tourism accommodations and the community at large.
As for stray dogs, most of the time malnourished, sick and aggressive, there has been an increase in incidents involving them biting visitors on the beaches.
It was highlighted that these matters have serious implications on the image of the destination, our safety label and community life.
Appropriate use of beaches should be encouraged through continuous education, the laws on noise nuisance and public disturbance should be enforced and clear plan to remove strays from beaches should be initiated.
Thefts and other incidents involving visitors which have been an ongoing concern for years were also discussed at yesterday’s meeting.
It was noted that the number of incidents had drastically reduced due to the Covid-19 restrictions on movement.
However, with a growing recovery from the pandemic and increased number of visitor arrivals, resurgence in incidents involving visitors has been experienced.
According to a report from the Police Statistics Bureau, dated December 2021, in general, the overall total percentage of crimes against tourists for the fourth quarter of 2021 – October to December –, compared to the third quarter – July to September – decreased by 100 percent, with the only categories of crime where there have been an increase of 15 percent being beach theft and also theft at other locations outside tourism establishments that has increased by 25 percent.
The police gave their reassurance in ensuring the safety of our visitors and their belongings which is key to maintaining our image as an attractive destination.
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