President of the Republic of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, joined several other world leaders at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024 in Dubai last week where he delivered his main address, focusing on Seychelles’ initiatives and approaches to ensure sustainable tourism and balancing preservation.
In his address to world leaders at the event, he underlined the pivotal role that Seychelles was playing in conservation, implementing various initiatives to promote sustainable tourism and safeguarding the nation’s ecological balance and economic well-being.
He touched on the Blue Economy, Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL), renewable energy sources and community involvement, among other important initiatives.
“Central to Seychelles’ approach is its commitment to the Blue Economy, which includes designating a significant portion of the country’s marine territory as protected areas, including marine parks and reserves. These efforts are crucial in preserving biodiversity and safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations. Furthermore, Seychelles has established the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label, a certification programme that recognises tourism accommodations, operators, and services adhering to sustainable practices such as efficient waste management, energy conservation, and community engagement,” said Ramkalawan.
“In its endeavour to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impacts, Seychelles has invested in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. These initiatives not only contribute to reducing carbon emissions but also promote a more sustainable approach to tourism activities. Seychelles also emphasises community involvement and empowerment in tourism development, encouraging local participation in decision-making processes and implementing community-based tourism projects to ensure that communities benefit from tourism revenue.”
The President also spoke about the significant strides that had been made in protecting its unique biodiversity through habitat restoration, invasive species control, and species protection programmes.
“Through such conservation efforts, Seychelles has achieved an enviable record of protecting 30% of its marine territory and 50% of its landmass. The nation has also implemented environmentally conscious policies such as banning single-use plastics and plastic straws, promoting glass recycling, and conducting regular beach cleaning exercises.”
Ramkalawan added that the Seychelles Government had imposed moratoriums on large hotel developments and temporary restrictions on room numbers on certain islands to ensure that future developments aligned with sustainability goals.
Cultural tourism
Relating to cultural tourism, President Ramkalawan spoke about Seychelles’ initiative through the Creole Rendezvous brand, which offers visitors immersive experiences to appreciate the local culture.
“Preserving and promoting Seychellois culture and heritage are integral to future development plans. Incorporating vernacular architectural styles, supporting local arts and crafts, and integrating cultural activities into urban planning are key components of sustainable development. Furthermore, environmental education and awareness among tourists and locals are key priorities for Seychelles, fostering a culture of sustainability and responsible tourism.”
In its pursuit of sustainable development, Ramkalawan said Seychelles was investing in green projects across the islands, including eco-friendly buildings, renewable energy systems, waste management facilities, and smart technology solutions for infrastructure management and resource efficiency.
He also spoke about the islands’ collaboration with UN Tourism on the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) project, which has been instrumental in understanding the industry’s contribution to GDP, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. He noted that through this collaboration, Seychelles’ objectives were to align tourism strategies with sustainable development goals and accurately assess the economic benefits of tourism.
“Seychelles remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring sustainable tourism practices that balance the preservation of natural resources with the economic benefits of tourism. Through international co-operation, community involvement, and innovative initiatives, Seychelles aims to advance its island development objectives, build resilience against environmental challenges, and foster inclusive and equitable economic growth,” Ramkalawan concluded.
