Tourism: |08 January 2024

Minister Radegonde during the press briefing on Friday

Self-caterings account for more rooms

There are presently 780 licensed tourism accommodations across the Seychelles islands, 77 percent of which are self-caterings.

According to the latest figures released by the Tourism department, as at December 29, self-caterings account for 43 percent of the total rooms, with 3190 of 7459 rooms.

The department estimates that the occupancy of self-caterings, guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation options was at 53 percent over the year 2023, an improvement from 2022.

This is despite an increase of three percent in the average daily rates in comparison to 2022. Over the past year, rates were 12 percent higher than the benchmark year, 2019.

The department is committed towards encouraging Seychellois to participate in the tourism industry, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, asserted during a press briefing on Friday.

“The figures indicate that there are many more Seychellois in the tourism business. In most cases, the proprietors are running their businesses themselves. It is clear, the majority of our rooms are in the hands of Seychellois,” Minister Radegonde stated.

Having visited some 300 establishments since his appointment, Minister Radegonde commended their high standards, also stating that he believes they are underpricing their products.

As such, Minister Radegonde advised that these establishments continuously add value to their products, and expand to play an even greater role in the industry.

Director of Strategic Planning, Chris Matombe, noted that the department is anticipating an increase of 15 percent in revenues generated by the smaller establishments over the past year, compared to 2022.

Average daily rates are expected to increase again this year, increasing by around 13 percent.

As for large hotels, they comprise 34 percent of total rooms, with 2561 rooms.

During 2023, average daily rates charged by hotels were 7 percent higher than 2022 rates. There was however a slight decrease in hotel occupancy levels, from 72 percent in 2022, to 68 percent in 2023.

On the revenue side, the average revenue per available room was up by 2 percent compared to 2022.

“In comparison to our competitors, especially those in the region, we will find that Seychelles occupancy is quite high as compared to other destinations.”

“Only Mauritius has an occupancy level of around 71 percent. But in terms of revenue per available room, Seychelles’ rate is 12 percent above that of Mauritius,” Mr Matombe stated.

Average daily rates in Seychelles are higher than those of Mauritius and other destinations such as Costa Rica, nearing those of neighbouring island state, the Maldives.

With regard to the construction of new tourism accommodation establishments, Minister Radegonde said the department also remains conscious it may in future propose to government policies to possibly cap construction, and cap the number of tourists arriving within a year.

The accompanying photos show Minister Radegonde and a tourism delegation visiting several small tourism establishments last year.

Laura Pillay