Seychelles Tourist Board Launches Adventure Holidays Initiative

The Seychelles is well renowned as a luxury holiday destination, thanks to the archipelago’s 115 granite and coral tropical islands set in the warm, crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. And whilst this popular destination continues to deliver on its promise as a dream paradise getaway, the Seychelles Tourism Board has plans to entice holidaymakers to explore the breathtaking natural beauty beyond the country’s tranquil and pristine beaches.

But this month, the Seychelles Tourism Board will be launching the promotion of a number of niche adventure activities. Whilst luxury tourism remains the primary industry of the Seychelles, the Board is looking to capitalise on the many opportunities presented by the copious natural geographical features of the country’s islands and surrounding waters. The Board’s Chief Executive Alain St. Ange has recently listed a number of targeted adventure holiday activities as sailing, rock climbing, abseiling, mountain walking, bone fishing and snorkelling to name but a few.

As a luxury holiday destination, in the past the Seychelles has been subject to a rise and fall in tourism growth according to world events. The short, sharp drop in growth during the Gulf War of 1991-1992 is one such example of its vulnerability.

So the move by the Seychelles Tourism Board could be construed as a solicitous step in the face of the current unstable economic climate. Diversifying and actively seeking a broader tourism market and additional foreign investment beyond its luxury holiday industry is a shrewd economic survival tactic. But if adventure holidays are to become an established aspect of the Seychelles’ tourism industry, another question that should be asked is whether the country’s fragile ecological systems can cope.

At present the Seychelles is considered a forerunner in sustainable tourism and sustainable development thanks in part to strict environmental legislation. So it seems that the answer to this question should be ‘yes’.  Almost half of the total land area of the Seychelles is subject to natural conservation, and with strictly controlled integration of an adventure tourism programme, this is one accolade that is sure to attract many more visitors to this beautiful African paradise.