VICTORIA, Seychelles — Representatives of tourism-related businesses on Praslin learned more about the economic and environmental impacts of cruise tourism on Seychelles’ inner islands during a workshop organised yesterday by the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF) at the Baie Sainte Anne district administration office. The session was part of a comprehensive ‘Direct Economic and Specific Environmental Impact Assessment of Cruise Activities in Seychelles’ Inner Islands and Marine Protected Areas’, which started in 2024 and will run until October this year, and aims to address critical data gaps on cruise tourism.
The foundation conducted the study with funding from the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust. Speaking to the media, SSTF’s co-founder and project manager, Diana Körner, said the study had two parts: interviews with diverse partners and a representative survey of cruise passengers at Port Victoria. ‘There is a huge growth in cruise tourism so last year we had 37 cruise ships that came to the inner islands, and next season it will be 50. So this sector is really growing, but what we have realised is that the smaller vessels are bringing more positive impact to the environment and the economy.’
According to the data, cruise passengers spend an average of $116 on organised excursions and $63 on individual visits, but the majority have no additional spending and are willing to spend more in support of environment and conservation in Seychelles. The chairperson of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association, Sybille Cardon, said the study shows the way forward and what steps can be taken to enhance cruise passengers’ experience. The SSTF team will be at the La Digue district administration office today to conduct a similar session, starting at 9am, with the foundation planning to do the same for the two other islands, after which a final report will be compiled and published on the foundation’s website.
