TOURISM - Seychelles

Question 1

About the Seychelles

Answer 1

• Group of 115 islands approx.
• In 2007, 161,000 tourists visited the Seychelles - a record high.
• Around 300,000 visit each year.
• 80% visitors are European.

Question 2

What are the attractions of Seychelles?

Answer 2

• Climate:
  
  • August, just 60mm rainfall.
  • August, temperatures reach 27 degrees.
• Facilities:
  
  • Since independence in 1976, government encouraged foreign investment - hotels restaurante etc.
  • Popular wedding destination.
• Biodiversity:
  
  • Advertised as untouched ‘paradise’.
  • Has 2/3 world’s giant tortoises.
  • Giant Aldabra tortoise is one of world’s largest, with a 122 cm long carapace.
  • Whale shark tourism also popular - in itself worth 4.99 million USD for just a 14-week season.

Question 3

How has tourism benefitted Seychelles?

Answer 3

• Economy:
  
  • Brings in 70% foreign exchange.
  • Provides 70% island’s income.
  • Employs 30% of the workforce.
• Conservation:
  
  • Raises awareness of biodiversity.
  • Raises awareness of need to conserve animals.

Question 4

What are the negative impacts of tourism in Seychelles?

Answer 4

• Little benefit to locals:
  
  • Most hotel owners foreign.
  • Migrant workers - often boomerang migrants who send money back to own country.
  • Local business owners invest money aborad.
  • Most tourist goods are imported from the US - not local.
• Water shortages:
  
  • Around 2006, Seychelles took out loan of $25 million for a water desalinisation plant. This had little effect on water shortages because 75% caused by leaking pipes.
  • Tourism increases water demand through hotels and recreational facilities.
  • Local water needs dismissed in favour of tourists’.
• Damage to coral reef:
  
  • Coral atoll damaged due to construction, which increases sediment in water.

Question 5

What are the solutions of this?

Answer 5

• Standards:
  
  • Islands must meet ISO 4001 standards and follow code of practice.
• Littering:
  
  • Higher fines
  • Raise awareness through signs
• Fund conservation:
  
  • On Cousin Island, there is a $25 entry fee for tourists.
  • This money covers costs of management of conservation.
  • Increase funding through sales of T-shirts.