Thursday, 05 February 2009 20:00   
Address to Tourism Marketing Sub-Committee

Partners and friends of the Tourism industry,

Every meeting that I have had with you, watching your efforts to take this industry forward, has been a pleasure and a discovery for me and my team.

It re-emphasises the conviction and wisdom that to take the tourism industry forward requires the harmony we are building between Government and you the players in the industry.

It reinforces even more the importance and difficulty for the Board and its Chairman to steer delicately and prudently the way forward by coordinating the work of its two key sub-committees of Marketing and Human Resources, without of course neglecting the third vital component – that of Tourism (Product) Development.


All these components have to work hand in hand if Seychelles is to secure and enhance its position in the market, and we all know what a difficult task that is in the current global economic climate.

As you are all aware, we have entered a new stage in our economic development which requires new thinking, new mindset and new approaches.

In the short time that I have been listening to you and discussing with you, I have gained a better understanding of your aspirations and needs, of your motivations and challenges.

Last Friday, we met with the Marketing Fund Committee.  All of its members are highly motivated and want to succeed in their mission.  We were informed that the Fund will require 5 million USD for this year.

I am therefore happy to inform you today that Government, has decided to increase its contribution to the Marketing Fund from 1.5 million  to 2 million USD.

Partners, as we work out how to market better and how to plan our human resources better, we also need to pay close attention to what I believe are equally fundamental elements for the success of our industry – how we price ourselves, and how we retain the unique identity of Seychelles.  

In ending, may I seize this opportunity to thank all of you who have decided to contribute towards the Marketing Fund and would like to encourage other partners to engage themselves in this new process.

Thank-you