The People Experience Growth is here to collaborate in promoting and setting up the authentic Seychellois experience within the tourism and hospitality industry, rather than competing, chairman Kenneth Nalletamby has said.

Mr Nalletamby was speaking during the official launch of the People Experience Growth (PEG), a non-governmental organisation working group which promotes Seychellois transformation through restoration of the Seychelles touch that has been forgotten by the importation of foreign culture in the tourism industry, to the extent that the local market, economy and the culture has become vulnerable.

Its objective is to provide a holistic transformation of the Seychellois people by offering training, empowerment, and exposure to life-changing innovation and experience.

The launch, held at the Maison Marengo, at the Craft Village, Au Cap, attended by the group’s partners and members was graced by the presence of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde.

Mr Nalletamby said the group and mission was initiated two years ago when a group of people, all with the same vision to see locals as the face of tourism in Seychelles, sat down to discuss on a common approach to make it happen.

He explained that the vision includes not only hotels, but other local services provided, including arts and culture.

Mr Nalletamby added that many years have gone by and generations have passed, without the promise of tourism being fulfilled.

He noted that the PEG is targeting that in seven years, Seychellois will be the face of tourism in Seychelles, through more careers, which is not really presently the case, despite the fact that Seychelles keeps breaking records in tourism arrivals year after year.

He however noted that it will not be an easy path, while things will not change overnight.

He said the main problem is that we, as Seychellois, do not believe in, and are not convinced about the richness of our culture, thus keep bringing foreign ingredients which dilute, and will eventually destroy our local culture.

Mr Nalletamby described the actual situation as cup of coffee in which water is kept being poured, and sooner, or later will be filled with water only.

Encouraging the initiative, Minister Radegonde pledged his personal, as well as his ministry’s support towards any projects, or ideas that promotes Seychellois talents, both in their personal and cultural life.

He noted that since his appointment as minister, he never misses the opportunity at any given chance to spread the message, promoting the tourism industry in such a way that it becomes Seychellois, and be owned by Seychellois.

This, Minister Radegonde said, should be at all level of the industry, from hotel managers to all other positions down the ranks, as well as the experiences provided to the visitors.

He further noted that the best way to do this is through community tourism whereby visitors should not only come to Seychelles for hotels, beaches and sea, but also to experience the Creole life and culture.

This, he said, will provide them with another experience, aside from the environment and natural beauty of the country.

Minister Radegonde also encouraged everyone who thinks that they are far from the industry to come closer and join in through their various talents, including art and craft, traditional food and dances, Creole cuisine, among others.

He added that through the introduction of tourism clubs in the schools, the foundation is being laid for the change of mind-set towards the industry, beginning with younger generation which holds the key to the future of the country.

To achieve its goals, the PEG has set up several specific objectives, including mobilising resources, representing and establishing opportunities to create growth for the Seychellois in the tourism industry, protecting and promoting the talents, skills and values of the Seychellois, becoming the undertaker that drives research to enhance policy-making within the sector, supporting, facilitating and influencing the development of human capital in the tourism sector, transforming the Seychellois tourism work force into experience creators, and also ensuring that workers have a voice and are represented for effective functioning, not only for labour markets but also of the overall governance structure of the country.

Source: Seychelles Nation