Table of contents THE VISION ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 MISSION STATEMENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 The Tourism Master Plan ......................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Structure .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Part I - The tourism sector: International and regional context and importance to the economy Part I - The tourism sector: International and regional context and importance to the economy ........................... 4 2 The tourism sector .................................................................................................................................................. 5 3 Regional and international context ................................................................................................................ 10 3.1 Global and regional trends in international tourism ..................................................................... 10 3.2 Global sustainable tourism frameworks ........................................................................................ 13 3.3 Regional tourism frameworks ........................................................................................................ 14 4 Socio-economic importance of the tourism sector .............................................................................................. 16 4.1 Visitor arrivals ................................................................................................................................ 16 4.2 Tourism earnings ............................................................................................................................ 16 4.3 Contribution to output ................................................................................................................... 19 4.4 Government revenue ..................................................................................................................... 20 4.5 Employment and other contributions ........................................................................................... 21 4.6 Comparative performance ............................................................................................................. 21 5 The profile of the tourism sector in Seychelles .................................................................................................... 23 5.1 Source of visitors ............................................................................................................................ 23 5.2 Visitors length of stay .................................................................................................................... 29 5 . 3 S easonality .................................................................................................................................. 30 5.4 Domestic tourism ........................................................................................................................... 32 5.5 Cruise ship tourism ........................................................................................................................ 34 5.6 Visitor profiles ................................................................................................................................ 35 5.7 Seychelles competiveness as a tourism destination: Overview .................................................... 37 6 Sustainable tourism ........................................................................................................................................ 40 6.1 Sustainable tourism segments ....................................................................................................... 42 6.2.1 Ecotourism .............................................................................................................................. 42 6.2.2 Cultural tourism ...................................................................................................................... 43 6.2.3 The Blue Economy ................................................................................................................... 45 6.2 Adequacy of utility services ........................................................................................................... 46 6.3 Carrying capacity analyses ............................................................................................................. 47 6.4 Other strategic issues ..................................................................................................................... 49 6.5 Developments and emerging issues since the last update ............................................................ 51 7 Tourism assets ................................................................................................................................................ 54 7.1 Natural heritage ............................................................................................................................. 55 7.2 Cultural heritage ............................................................................................................................ 57 7.2.1 Events ...................................................................................................................................... 58 7.3 Visits to natural and cultural heritage sites ................................................................................... 59 7.4 Legal and regulatory environment................................................................................................. 60 7.5 Management issues ................................................................................................................. 60 7.5.1 Management of natural and cultural heritage sites ............................................................... 60 7.5.2 Financing ................................................................................................................................. 61 7.6 Other strategic issues ..................................................................................................................... 63 7.7 Developments and emerging issues since the last update ............................................................ 64 7.7.1 Management and financing of natural heritage assets .......................................................... 64 7.7.2 Management and financing of cultural heritage assets ......................................................... 65 8 Development, institutional, policy, and regulatory frameworks .................................................................... 67 8.1 Tourism in national sustainable development frameworks .......................................................... 67 8.2 Institutional arrangements ............................................................................................................ 68 8.3 Tourism operators.......................................................................................................................... 70 8.4 Incentives for the tourism sector ................................................................................................... 72 8.4.1 Income and Non-Monetary Benefits Tax Act, 2010 ................................................................ 72 8.4.2 Business Tax (Amendment) Act, 2010 .................................................................................... 72 8.5 Policy and regulatory framework ................................................................................................... 73 8.5.1 Integration in tourism ............................................................................................................. 75 8.6 Seychellois participation and ownership ....................................................................................... 76 8.7 Strategic issues raised by stakeholders ......................................................................................... 77 8.8 Developments and emerging issues since the last update ............................................................ 79 9 Marine-based tourism .................................................................................................................................... 81 9.1 Yachting .......................................................................................................................................... 82 9.2 Boat charters .................................................................................................................................. 87 9.3 Recreational diving......................................................................................................................... 89 9.4 Water sports .................................................................................................................................