President Danny Faure has assented to the Tourism Development Act, 2019, which was approved by the National Assembly on 25th June 2019.

This Act will ensure that the primary activities of tourism are governed by legal instrument and have the required force of law for its implementation.

The Tourism Development Act, 2019, is an essential part of a three tool package. These are the existing set of policies, the tourism master plan that was approved in 2018 and the Tourism Strategy and action plan.

These documents provide clarity to professionals in both the public and private sectors. For the investors, they can now have the confidence and comfort to invest their money where all policies, laws and strategic plans are spelt out in documents that are their disposal.

As its main objective, the Tourism Development Act, 2019, is to develop and implement policies, to guide the sustainable development and growth of the industry, to develop and establish minimum standards for the different tourism operations and to raise and improve quality standards and services with the accommodation sector through a hotel grading programme.

During his remarks, delivered before the signing of the Act, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, said that with a major shift in the socio-economic situation in the country, it has become necessary to have a comprehensive legislative framework for this sector. He said, “The objective here is not to restrict, limit and control the tourism industry but as its name imply, to create an enabling environment to facilitate the development of the sector by providing clear guidance and setting clear parameters for all those involved or have intentions in joining the industry.”

The signing was witnessed by Minister Didier Dogley, Secretary of State for Cabinet Affairs, Mr Mohammed Afif, Deputy Attorney General, Mr David Esparon, Principal Secretary Tourism Department, Mrs Anne Lafortune and CEO for Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Sherin Francis.