2013年-世界发展银行全球_Seychelles_Tourism_Sector_Review___Sustaining_Growth_in_a_Successful_Tourism_Destination_29页_1mb

Summary of Seychelles Tourism Sector Review

Core Content

The Seychelles tourism sector is a major contributor to the national economy, with tourism accounting for 24.8% of GDP directly and 60.8% when including indirect and induced effects. It also represents 25.8% of employment directly and 59.9% overall. Despite its economic importance, the sector faces challenges in sustaining long-term competitiveness and managing growth in a way that balances economic benefits with environmental and social impacts.

Main Points

Economic Contribution

• Tourism contributes significantly to Seychelles' GDP and employment.
• The country's tourism industry is highly dependent on foreign investment, with 60% of hotel rooms being foreign-owned.
• High leakage is a concern, as a large portion of tourism spending is directed toward imports, and a significant amount of revenue is repatriated abroad.

Tourism Growth

• International arrivals increased from 122,038 in 2003 to 208,034 in 2012, representing a 6.3% average annual growth rate.
• The sector showed resilience during the global economic downturn, with a rebound in 2010 and 2011.
• The average length of stay is 10.0 days, which is high compared to other destinations like the Maldives (7.0 days) and Singapore (3.7 days).

Market Trends

• Europe was traditionally the largest source market, but its share has decreased to 69.5% in 2012, while the Middle East and Asia have gained prominence.
• The UAE and Russia saw the most significant growth in 2012, with increases of 51.7% and 52.4%, respectively.
• China had the highest growth rate at 110.7%, though it started from a low base.

Infrastructure and Access

• Air access has been affected by the 40% stake purchase by Etihad Airways in Air Seychelles, leading to the loss of direct flights to Europe and the opening of new routes through Abu Dhabi.
• Seychelles is directly connected to eight international destinations, including Dubai, Doha, and Nairobi.
• Cruise tourism has declined due to piracy in the Indian Ocean, with ship calls dropping from 60 in 2004 to 20 in 2010. However, with the decline in piracy, there is renewed interest in promoting cruise tourism.

Tourism Products

• Beaches are the primary attraction, with Anse Source d'Argent and Vallee de Mai being notable sites.
• Other attractions include snorkeling/diving, hiking, and sightseeing tours.
• Cruise tourism and cruise passenger spending have the potential to significantly boost the economy, but require strategic development.

Accommodations

• There are an estimated 4,066 rooms and 8,132 beds in land-based accommodations.
• 59% of beds are on Mahé, 26% on Praslin, and 8% on La Digue.
• Average occupancy rate in 2011 was 61%, up from 57% in 2010.
• 332 accommodations are locally owned, with legal requirements for local ownership based on the number of rooms.
• There is no internationally recognized classification system for accommodations, which limits standardization and marketing effectiveness.

Institutional Framework

• The Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MTC) and Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) oversee the sector.
• The Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) was established in 2007 and focuses on training for the tourism industry.
• The Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism Association (SHTA) represents private sector interests and is closely integrated with public institutions.

Regional Integration

• Seychelles is an active participant in the Vanilla Islands Cooperation (VIC), which aims to promote regional tourism through joint marketing, improved air connectivity, and cruise tourism development.
• While public sector stakeholders support regional integration, some private sector players express skepticism about the benefits for Seychelles.

Key Issues

• Lack of a specific accommodations growth plan leads to concerns about overdevelopment and its negative impacts.
• Absence of a cruise tourism strategy limits the potential for growth in this sector.
• No internationally recognized classification system for hotels hinders standardization and marketing.
• High turnover and limited local labor supply pose challenges for service quality and sustainability.
• Limited air connectivity and dependence on foreign-owned hotels reduce the economic benefits of tourism.

Key Recommendations

• Develop a comprehensive accommodations growth plan with a focus on sustainable development and carrying capacity studies.
• Implement an international classification system for hotels to improve quality standards and marketing.
• Create a cruise tourism strategy that includes infrastructure development and environmental safeguards.
• Enhance local human resource development through training programs and incentives to retain Seychellois workers.
• Strengthen regional integration efforts to improve marketing, air connectivity, and tourism product diversification.

Conclusion

The Seychelles tourism sector has been a success story, driven by natural beauty, good governance, and strategic marketing. However, to ensure long-term sustainability, the country must address key challenges related to policy, infrastructure, human resources, and regional integration. These efforts are crucial to maintaining the exclusive brand image and ensuring the economic and environmental well-being of the nation.