02.26.07
Seychelles welcomes up to 200 thousand tourists
In 2006, the Seychelles received a record number of tourists – 140 627. Further on, the country hopes the numbers to increase. However, in accordance with the authorities, it is not likely to welcome more than 200 000 visitors as far as in case of mass tourism risk of environmental degradation is possible, and safeguarding an environment is a highly essential value for the country.
It is worth reminding that the Seychelles’ population is 82 000 people. Nevertheless, the country got used to welcoming more tourists than its population. In 2002, for example, the Seychelles welcomed 132 246. Then, it saw a slight decline in visitors’ number, however in 2005 the figures started to increase.
Joseph Belmont, the Seychellois vice-president and the Minister for Tourism, worries about too large figures on the islands with exclusive beaches, and informs that the tourism policy provides for a maximum number of 200 000 visitors by 2010.
The chief executive officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne expressed the pleasure to get such result of growth in visitor arrivals.
Mr Lousteau-Lalanne also shared his expectations suggesting more visits in 2007 and trying to increase figures with a target of 10% growth in overall arrivals.