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In a recent edition of the 'Today' Newspaper of
Seychelles, the respected financial personality, Malika Jivan, took the
trouble to address the situation on hand. She was quoted stating,
"…our economy has been contracting. A slowdown in various sectors,
no FDI, has had a domino effect on the economy. In text book terms, we
are in a recession. Consumers cut spending, business cut payroll to
cope with falling earnings."
No Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the country is a serious
problem. Construction companies have confirmed the lack of big projects
at the moment in Seychelles. At the same time, our cost of living has
not been adjusted to improve the lives of those in the lower wage
bracket. On the contrary, the cost of living is increasing.
This year our Nation’s budget was approved by the National Assembly,
after a series of drawn-out and exhaustive debates. For the first time
in Seychelles’ political history, the majority of seats in the Assembly
is held by members of the Opposition. The budget for 2017, therefore,
has had the blessing of our elected representatives. We are now midyear
and patiently waiting to see results.
Malika Jivan proposes a series of measures, including a commitment to
business, to stimulate FDIs, and for Government to be a facilitator of
business. She notes that FOREX earning businesses and exports should be
encouraged. One such FOREX earning business in Seychelles is
undoubtedly tourism. Are we ensuring they have their needed staffing
contingent? Are we running to ensure the marketing of the islands is
receiving all the budgetary assistance required? The goose that lays
the golden egg needs to be nurtured with care and attention. Negative
political agendas must be left out of tourism if we want this vital
industry to succeed.
Last week we saluted the youth of Seychelles for being committed to
saving Seychelles from itself. The positive feedback we have since
obtained from the youth has been overwhelming. You are a force to be
reckoned with and must continue to make your voices heard. We also need
to acknowledge the efforts of those who have launched campaigns to
collect accumulated rubbish from Grand Police and the beaches. You are
not just talking, which is easy to do, but you are actively striving to
protect and preserve our environment, and to keep our beaches as
pristine as the holiday brochures say they are.
The tourism trade fair season is just around the corner once again, and
as visitor arrival figures show, Italy and France need special
attention. The tourism industry’s survival in Seychelles largely
depends on air connectivity, but it also depends on our efforts in
tapping into key markets. We may find ourselves witnessing sporadic
cancellations of flights or discontinuation of air services if our
target markets start fading away. The French Tourism Trade Fair will
need a special push with private sector participation now that French
elections are over and done with. The ball is very much in our court.
Finally, we once again say thank you to all who are reposting the Saint
Ange Tourism Report. Our humble Report has travelled Africa-wide, to
the Americas, to Australasia and to the Middle East. It is very clear
that our direct mail-out is being really strengthened by the reposting
being done by all the online NewsWires. Together, we are doing a real
service for the tourism industry.
This week Saint Ange Consultancy has been taken to new heights; this
Issue is coming to you from beautiful Indonesia.
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