塞舌尔游客人数已经超过30.3万。中国是其第六大游客来源国，2016年中国游客总数达到14549人
文I 塞舌尔共和国旅游部 翻译I 李丛 图片提供I 塞舌尔共和国旅游部
旅游业是推动塞舌尔经济增长的主要因素，约占其GDP的30%。2016年，塞舌尔游客数量增加了10％，超过30.3万人。其中大部分游客来自法国、德国、阿联酋、意大利和英国，占总数的49％。2015年，塞舌尔的国际旅游收入为3.93亿美元，2016年增加到了4.07亿美元，相当于每位游客消费了1342美元。旅游相关行业从业人数达到11714人，占2016年全国就业总人口的25％。其中，住宿业和餐饮业从业人数为8716人，占总就业人口的18.63％。截至2016年底，超过1550家运营商在塞舌尔从事旅游业，其中约有1200家由本国人经营。
塞舌尔得天独厚的自然风光和人文景观是其最宝贵的旅游资源。塞舌尔拥有众多纯净洁白的沙滩，其中一些屡次被选为世界最佳。这里还有大量独特的动植物，为保护环境和生物多样性，塞舌尔将近47％的土地被划为保护区。2010年，塞舌尔总统承诺将该国50％以上的土地划为保护区。然而彼时，塞舌尔海洋保护区的总面积尚不及塞舌尔专属经济区（EEZ）的1％。到2012年，政府宣布将专属经济区30％的区域划为海洋保护区，使其成为印度洋上的第二大海洋保护区，其中一半区域将严格实行禁渔政策。塞舌尔拥有丰富的自然遗产，其中，阿尔达布拉环礁和五月谷自然保护区被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产。
塞舌尔游客人数已经超过30.3万。中国是第六大游客来源国。2016年中国游客总数达到14549人。塞舌尔有19家旅游服务公司提供假日旅游定制服务。
按照规定，塞舌尔的旅游服务公司必须保证本国人持有至少51％的股份，外国人持有至多49％的股份。值得一提的是，近三年来，旅游服务业一直保持了稳步的增长。
塞舌尔旅游业重点行业现状
住宿业
目前，塞舌尔共有571家旅游住宿服务商，分布在马埃岛、普拉兰岛和拉迪格岛（三个主要内岛）和其它岛屿上。塞舌尔全国有35家大型酒店、54家小型酒店、62家招待所和420家自助公寓，总计12026张床位、6013个房间，大部分酒店都位于马埃岛上。
塞舌尔现已暂停大型酒店开发计划。酒店最多只能设置24个房间，外国人最多可持有酒店80%的股份（塞舌尔人需至少持有20%股份）。
然而以上规定并不适用于塞舌尔的外岛。外岛依然有很多包括精品酒店和生态旅馆等投资和开发的机会。
餐饮业
如上所述，尽管大型酒店的发展受到了限制，但是其他行业仍有一定的发展潜力，例如特色餐厅目前就供不应求。
塞舌尔共有63家餐馆，总计3059个座位。特色餐馆的市场需求依旧存在。需要注意的是，塞舌尔人和外国人都可投资和拥有餐馆，但在外国人经营的餐馆座位数不得超过21个。
游艇及相关设施
游艇和豪华游船为旅客和本国人提供了探索岛屿的机会，也是一个潜在的投资领域。政府鼓励在外岛的游艇码头和加油设施开发计划，以满足日益增长的游艇、游船和游轮业务的需求。
目前，塞舌尔有159艘游艇和豪华游船。值得注意的是，游艇业务虽然对外开放，但海外投资者须满足特定的政策要求。
游艇和豪华游船业务的要求如下：
●4-5艘游艇——塞舌尔人需持有至少51％的股份；
●6艘及6艘以上——外国人可持有51％以上的股份；
●如果船舶长度为50英尺或以上且投资额为50万美元，外资可通过单条船只开展业务，但须由船主亲自经营。
塞舌尔还有一些其他旅游业务/项目，但都严格规定只有塞舌尔本地人可以经营。这些业务是：
●租船
●水上运动
●潜水中心或潜水业务
旅行社代理业务
旅行社代理业务仅限塞舌尔人经营。
⬆塞舌尔首都维多利亚标志性建筑物钟塔
塞舌尔外岛上的投资机会
塞舌尔外岛的生态旅馆和精品酒店
投资住宿业目前只限于外岛。值得一提的是，在115个岛屿中，只有10％的岛屿建有酒店设施。
特色餐馆
塞舌尔需要更多提供各式特色美食的餐馆。我们欢迎外国美食，以丰富游客的就餐体验、为人们提供更多选择。
50英尺以上的豪华游艇
塞舌尔共有115个岛屿，游艇、潜水、钓鱼和乘船游览等项目能为海洋爱好者带来独特的体验。增加豪华游艇和游船的数量对推进旅游业的发展十分必要。
迷你邮轮和区域间邮轮
除了游艇，投资者也可以考虑迷你邮轮，在塞舌尔的115个岛屿间开发旅游项目。
码头
如上所述，随着塞舌尔海域日益频繁的游艇、游船和邮轮业务，在外岛建设码头十分必要。
水疗
塞舌尔目前几个度假酒店能提供水疗服务，因此这一领域的发展和投资潜力也会与日俱增。
其它领域
塞舌尔有意引进能提供液晶显示、节水等清洁能源设备的供应商，以及针对废旧金属、塑料、玻璃和纸张的管理和回收机构。
为增加其产品和服务的多样性，塞舌尔同样欢迎新颖的商业模式和理念，以改善游客体验，带动游客消费。
塞舌尔与中国的旅游合作
塞舌尔与中国建立了非常紧密的双边合作关系，且近年来发展势头良好。双方已经成功开展了多个旅游业合作项目。塞舌尔期待继续发展双边人文交流，在未来的项目中深化合作关系，扩大两国在旅游业实践经验、理念，尤其是相关政策及行业统计数据等信息的交流。
2017年9月11日，两国在成都签署了《塞舌尔与中国旅游合作谅解备忘录》，随后制定了相关培训计划，以提高两国旅游业从业人员的能力和技巧、改善旅游业服务质量。
谅解备忘录中提到的目标还包括通过旅游和数据交换，支持市场营销和推广计划、培训计划，促进旅游产品开发交流和旅游协会之间的合作，这些目标为双方合作开发旅游业提供了更广泛的框架支持。
此外，塞舌尔与中国签署的双边航空服务协定将有助于促进两国间航空业的发展。塞舌尔期待来自中国航空公司的飞机能够飞往其海岸。(编辑：常浩)
Island Tourism in Seychelles
By the Ministry responsible for Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles; Photo by Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles
The tourism industry is the main contributor driving the Seychelles economic growth, contributing to approximately 30% of GDP. The number of visitors to Seychelles increased by 10% in 2016 to reach just over 303,000. France, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Italy and UK were the main tourism markets for Seychelles in 2016 accounting for 49% of total visitor arrivals. Receipts from international tourism grew from USD 393 million in 2015 to USD 407 million in 2016 equivalent to USD 1, 342 per visitor. The average number of employed persons in tourism related industries stood at 11,714. This represents 25% of total employment in 2016. Of these, 8,716 or 18.63% of total employment were in the Accommodation and Food Service Activities industry. At the end of 2016, there were more than 1,550 operators in the Seychelles tourism sector of which an estimated 1,200 were Seychellois.
The most valuable assets for tourism development that Seychelles is endowed with are natural and cultural attractions. Seychelles is blessed with pristine white beaches some of which are regularly voted among the best in the world and a large number of endemic plants and animals. Almost 47% of Seychelles land area is designated as protected areas for environmental and biodiversity purposes. In 2010, the President committed the country to the target of protecting more than 50% of its land area for conservation. However, the total marine protected areas amounts to less than 1% of the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In 2012, the Government of Seychellesannounced plans to designate 30% of the Seychelles EEZ as Marine Protected Areas, which will make it the second largest marine reserve in the Indian Ocean, half of which will be strict no-take zones. The rich natural heritage of Seychelles is reflected in its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Aldabra Atoll and Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.
Seychelles visitor’s arrival has reached over 303,000and China is our 6th leading market with a total of 14,549 visitors recorded in 2016. Seychelles has a total of 19 tour operators who offer holiday packages to these visitors.
Tour Operators in Seychellesare governed by an approved policy which allows for a minimum of 51% shares held by Seychellois and 49% shares by foreigners. It should be noted that there has been a steady growth in this sector over the last 3 years.
Key industry status quo
Accommodations
Seychelles currently has 571 tourism accommodations businesses which are spread across Mahé, Praslin, La Digue (the three main inner islands) and other islands. There are currently 35 large hotels, 54 small hotels, 62 guest houses and 420 self-caterings in operation in Seychelles. This represents a total of 12,026 beds or 6013 rooms. The majority of hotels are located on the main island of Mahé.
Currently there is a moratorium on the development of large hotels in Seychelles. Hotel development is allowed up to only 24 rooms where a foreigner may own up to 80% of the shareholding (minimum of 20% Seychellois shareholding).
The moratorium is however not applicable to the outer islands of the Seychelles. There are scopes for investment and development on the outer islands of the Seychelles and this includesinvestment opportunities in small boutique hotels and eco lodges.
Restaurants
As mentioned above there is a moratorium on the development of large hotels however minimal development still exists in other areas such as restaurants where there is currently a gap in specialty restaurants offerings.
There is a total of 63 restaurants available which amounts to 3059 covers. There is still a demand for more specialty restaurants in the country. It should be noted that investment and ownership of restaurants is open to locals and non-Seychellois alike however for non-Seychellois it is restricted to 21 covers.
Yachts
Yachts and live aboard charters are also a prospective area for investment to provide the opportunity for tourists and locals to discovery of all the islands. Seychelles also welcomes the development of marinas and refueling facilities on the outer islands in order to accommodate the increase in yachting, boat charters and cruise ship activities.
There are currently 159 yachts and live aboard charters operating in Seychelles. It should be noted that yachting operations are open to foreign investors however there are specific policy requirements that needs to be met in order to invest in this sector.
The requirements for yachting and live aboard are as follow:
● 4-5 yachts – requiring a minimum of 51% Seychellois share
● 6& above – Open to foreigners
● If the boat is 50ft or above and investment of $500,000 a foreigner may start with one boat on an owner operated basis.
There are also other tourism businesses/activities available but these are strictly reserved to Seychellois. These activities are:
● Boat charter businesses
● Water sports businesses
● Dive Centres or dive operatorsbusinesses.
Travel agent businesses
Travel agent businesses is strictly reserved for Seychellois only.
Potential areas for foreign investment in the tourism sector
Eco lodges and Boutique hotels on the outer islands of Seychelles
Investment opportunities in the accommodation sector is available specifically on the outer islands. It should be noted that out of 115 islands only 10% are developed with a hotel facility.
Specialty restaurants
There is a demand for more specialty restaurants offering different cuisines in the country. Foreign cuisines are encouraged in order to give more diversity to the experience and improve the choices available.
Luxury yachts over 50ft.
Seychelles has a total of 115 islands to visit and the yachting, diving, fishing and cruise industry has the potential to offer a special experience to sea lovers. There is a need to increase the number of quality yachts/live aboard to further develop this sector of the tourism industry.
Mini Cruise ships and regional cruises
Aside from yachting activities there exists the potential for investment in mini cruise ships to allow the discovery of the 115 islands.
Marinas
As mentioned above the development of marinas on outer islands is important in order to accommodate the increase in yachts, boat charter and cruise ships operating in the Seychelles waters.
Spas
There is a growing potential for development and investment opportunities in this area as Seychelles only has a few resorts which offer this product.
Other areas
Seychelles is interested to attract suppliers of alternative energy equipment such as LED devices, water saving devices and equipment, as well as attracting management and recycling agencies which would recycle scrap metals, plastics, glass, and paper on commercial scale.
Seychelles also welcomes any new innovative ideas to increase product diversification in order to increase visitors experience and spending.
Tourism cooperation between Seychelles and China
Seychelles has very strong and close bilateral cooperation with China which has further developed over the last few years. Over these years there has been many successful projectsthat have been jointly accomplished in the tourism sector. Seychelles looks forward to continue developing excellent people to people relations with China and hopes toexpand the cooperation ties through increased collaboration on a number of future joint projects. This will hopefully include additionala ccomplishments in areas such as exchange of best practices, exchange of ideas and information specifically on tourism policies and statistics.
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism Cooperation between Seychelles and China, which took place on 11th September 2017, in Chengdu, there has been the new provision to establish training programmes in the field of the tourism industry in order to enhance skills and techniques in specific areas with the aim of improving each other’s tourism sector.
The other objectives of the MoU is to provide a broader framework for cooperation in the tourism sector through tourism and data exchange, support for marketing and promotion programmes, training programmes, exchange on tourism product development and collaboration between tourism associations.
Furthermore, the Bilateral Air Service Agreement in place between Seychelles and China will assist to improve the air links between the two countries. Hence Seychelles looks forward to having Chinese airlines flying to its shores.