Seychelles is facing a difficult situation in its need for hotel rooms.
According to Alain St Ange, the former Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, the shortage of hotel rooms will impact on airlines because contracted rooms for Tour Operators are seen as not being sufficient.
“The need for contracted rooms gives the necessary guarantee to airlines that scheduled routes can work and will be profitable,” says St Ange in his recent Saint Ange Tourism Report. “The Seychellois owned and managed ‘homegrown’ properties will continue to make a difference in their niche market, though more marketing effort will need to be initiated.“
A recent discovery, says St Ange, is the Tropical Residence – a ‘home away from home’ villa at Au Cap in Mahe, owned and managed by Marie Josee Woodcock.
Tropical Residence is a popular pick for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel is not too far from the city center: just 6 km away, and it normally takes about 5 minutes to reach the airport. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city’s must-see destinations.
“Such small properties remain community assets and are facilities that showcase Seychelles as a cultural tourism destination. They buy fruits from a farmer next door, bread and milk from the roadside shop, get maintenance or general helper assistance from a neighbour, and a local taxi does their airport pick-up or drop-off,” concludes St Ange.
