The Islands Development Company (IDC) in Seychelles has released a request for proposal (RFP) for interested investors in a luxury eco-tourism resort at Grand Barbe on Silhouette Island.
The island is 20km north of Mahé and is the third-largest island of the granitic group and the fifth-largest in Seychelles at 1 995ha, according to the IDC website. The second-highest summit, Mount Dauban, is located on Silhouette, standing at 740m.
The island supports an exceptional biodiversity and has been classified as an Important Bird Area due to endemic species such as the Seychelles kestrel. In 1987 the waters around Silhouette were declared a Marine National Park, and Silhouette National Park, which was opened in August 2010, protects 93% of the island.
The Island Conservation Society runs a Conservation Centre on Silhouette, and programmes are approved by Silhouette Foundation, which brings together ICS, IDC, Hilton Labriz, Seychelles National Parks Authority and the Ministry of Environment.
In terms of the RFP, a number of requirements for potential investors will ensure the sustainability and protection of the island. These include a resort concept that focuses on sustainability, conservation, green energy, and is in keeping with the natural environment, a development that is low impact, and a natural design concept with preservation of local landmark buildings.
According to CEO of IDC, Glenny Savy, the development should have a maximum of 25 rooms, a solar facility to produce electricity, and an excellent sewage and waste system.
Investors are not required to build 25 rooms but it is anticipated that an investment of US$500 000 per room will be required, says Savy. “People wanting such a product are ready to pay US$10 000 to US$15 000 per week to visit such a place."
Depending on the completion of necessary processes and the number of rooms that are constructed, the resort should be operational by the second half of 2024, according to Seychelles News Agency.
The deadline for proposal submission is October 9.
