Seychelles launches sports tourism programme   |19 February 2022

NSC chief executive Jean Larue (photo) invited investors to “a new sports page and new sports atmosphere in Seychelles”

Seychelles has launched its first ever sports tourism programme.

The programme, which aims at offering investment opportunities in sports tourism and related activities, was launched in Dubai, during a ceremony at the 2020 Expo site by the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry Devika Vidot on Friday February 11, 2022.

The Seychelles delegation also included the country’s ambassador in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Jean-Claude Adrienne; principal secretary in the department of blue economy Kenneth Racombo; chief executive (CEO) of the National Sports Council (NSC) Jean Larue; CEO of the Seychelles Investment Bureau (SIB) Anne Rosette; director general for tourism marketing in the tourism department Bernadette Willemin; chief strategist in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family David Vidot and NSC’s corporate affairs officer Michel Savy.

All the above-named entities had joined forces with the Seychelles team at the Expo 2020 in order to organise the event which attracted an array of international potential investors and high dignitaries. Among them was the deputy Minister for Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Alexey Gruzdev and Dubai-based promotion initiatives ‘Danube’ and ‘SeaYouDubai’. Through different presentations, they had the opportunity to discover Seychelles’ investment landscape, the ease of doing business in the country and the steps to investment, particularly in sports tourism.

In her launch speech, Minister Vidot said Seychelles is currently offering a clean slate in terms of investment, with value addition through its unique value chain. She stressed on the potential for Seychelles to be regarded as an adventure and fun destination, with particular emphasis on the development of the blue economy sector.

“Many opportunities lie in the depts of our pristine ocean,” she said.

Inviting guests to come to Seychelles not only as tourists but investors, Minister Vidot underlined what she called the opportunity for fresh investment which Seychelles offers in all sports sectors, especially water sports.

She concluded that her presence at the event was proof of the government’s commitment in attracting partnerships in this new endeavour.

CEO Larue presented sports’ investment opportunities in traditional as well as emerging sports, especially ocean opportunities in water sports like sports fishing, skydiving, canoe-kayak and swimming.

He also unveiled opportunities for sports infrastructure investment such as plans for the construction of a sports and leisure centre and a sports arena which will give access to sports, leisure, recreation and entertainment activities. Facilities could include a water park and bowling alley. With skydiving becoming a major attraction, Mr Larue invited investors to “a new sports page and new sports atmosphere in Seychelles”.

On her part, Mrs Willemin described Seychelles as an excellent investment and business opportunity destination, both on land and at sea.

“A great place to do business,” she added, with the country very well located geographically in the middle of the Indian Ocean and outside the cyclonic belt. She reminded that the country offers excellent accommodation for all budget, good air connectivity with the outside world as well as good infrastructure.

“The environment is conducive for business, including in the sports sector. Seychelles offers unique and memorable consumer experience,” she concluded.

SIB CEO Anne Rosette briefed the invitees on Seychelles’ investment framework and the steps to be taken in order to invest in Seychelles. Among the different good reasons she gave to invest in Seychelles are the country’s national beauty, a young population, a ninety percent literacy rate, a good tax regime and its second position in Africa on the human development index.

She invited the potential investors to come along with their business plan and benefit from SIB’s free support, advice, service as well as match-making with creditors.

Closing the session, the PS for blue economy Kenneth Racombo noted that sports tourism has a strong link with the blue economy, as it englobes many ocean activities.

Sports tourism, he added, gives the opportunity for lucrative investment and partnerships in Seychelles; a country which he described as the ideal location for hybrid industry.

The ceremony was followed by a networking session whereby potential investors had the opportunity to interact with the panellists and other members of the Seychellois delegation and present and discuss their investment proposals with them.

As a direct result of the forum, some projects are already on the table. These include the possible construction of a sports arena, the creation of a water sports academy as well as cooperation proposals in the fields of sports management, consultancy and training.

Text and photos Michel Savy