Walking the talk of safe tourism for the destination, the tourism taskforce has developed a consortium-based certification system to ensure ‘safe’ experience for visitors while on holiday in Seychelles.
The specially designed stamp, immediately recognisable by the green-ticked badge, will allow guests to recognise businesses in Seychelles, which have adopted the health and hygiene standardised protocols set by the local public health authority.
The safe tourism certificates, which are being issued by the Department of Tourism and endorsed by the Public Health Authority, provides the seal of approval for service providers for operation.
Mrs Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary for Tourism pointed out that the certification is an important component of the operations of the industry providers today.
“Our local businesses have been very forthcoming in helping us implement the new sanitary regulations the industry will have to abide by for operations. We are satisfied to see their interest to comply with this new component of tourism,” said PS. Lafortune.
The requirements for certification, meticulously discussed by the representatives of the tourism industry, incorporates strict sanitary norms requested by the local public health authority and important industry etiquette compulsory for operations under the ‘new normal’.
The certification assures visitors and guests that local service providers operating within the tourism industry and other related businesses are providing the best possible practices to ensure their comfort and safety.
Speaking about the safety certification label, Mrs Sherin Francis Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive Officer mentioned that the certification label is founded on the significant elements people are looking for before making plans to travel.
“Safety has become an even more important prerequisite for travel. As a destination restarting its tourism industry, our responsibilities vis-à-vis our guests and local service providers are immense. We have been advocating for standard practices to be adopted across the globe and we are proud to see the implementations of these practices locally,” said Mrs Francis.
Visitors planning on a holiday in Seychelles are encouraged to book their accommodation and leisure activities through safe tourism certified service providers.
To date, 204 accommodation establishments have been certified under the Safe Tourism Certification label; service providers including restaurants, tour operators, tour guides, and transportation providers will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene requirements defined by Public Health Authority have been implemented.