Seychelles
Preserving iconic sceneries, biodiversity hotspots and embracing Creole culture
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ZH It’s no exaggeration to say that Seychelles ecotravel takes you to one of the most stunning destinations in the world, due to its unique granitic formations, white sandy beaches and clear waters, high biodiversity, lush landscapes, large areas of protected marine and terrestrial spaces and the lively Creole culture, that brings about flavourful recipes, rhythmic songs and dance. Although renowned for its paradise beaches, Seychelles ecotravel offers much more in terms of spectacular hikes, a growing selection of eco-activities in cooperation with local conservation NGOs and cultural monuments that trace back the history of this archipelago.
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Getting there
As an ecotravel island destination, the majority of travellers reach Seychelles by air. There are around 13 different airlines flying to Seychelles internationally, such as Air Seychelles, Air Austral, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Condor, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
Don’t forget to offset your carbon footprint by participating in your trusted projects.
Getting there
Many travellers opt for rental cars, however the public buses in Seychelles are part of the experience of getting around the islands. For 7 Seychelles rupees for any ride, this eco-friendly option is affordable and fun! Ferries operate between the main inner islands of Seychelles on a daily basis and can be booked online or via one of the offices at the jetties.
Make sure to sit on the upper deck to enjoy the views and the breeze!
Sustainability
The Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF) actively pushes the sustainable tourism agenda in Seychelles. It is a locally registered NGO which acts as a connecting platform for tourism stakeholders in Seychelles, facilitating partnerships and joint initiatives for sustainable tourism between public, private sector, academia and NGOs.
SSTF’s action plan is based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, pursuing a five-year goal for Seychelles to be certified as a sustainable tourism destination by one of the GSTC-recognised bodies, which has also been recognized by the Seychelles Tourism Master Plan
Travel Tips from our Editors
Pristine Seychelles
Pristine Seychelles aims to raise awareness amongst visitors and encourage positive action to foster eco-friendly, responsible and meaningful tourism experiences in Seychelles, whilst actively building the skills of local cultural and ecotourism service providers and support them to increase their visibility and engagement in the tourism market. The campaign is based around storytelling and inspirational, educational content on social media, as well as a series of targeted public events and capacity building workshops for local small businesses and entrepreneurs. Follow the campaign on Instagram @pristineseychelles and tag your efforts towards a #pristineseychelles.
Sustainable Travel
SSTF published a detailed list of sustainability tips for your visit to Seychelles. One of the recommended activities is to support local tree planting and reforestation programmes. The Terrestrial Restoration Action Society of Seychelles (TRASS) offers you the opportunity to do so during your stay in Seychelles.
Redeem, Recycle
Most of the waste in ecotravel Seychelles ends up in the landfill, but there are still ways you can help diverge away some of this litter: PET bottles with labels removed and metal drink cans can be redeemed for 0.50 rupees each at designated Redeem Centres around Mahe (specifically Providence, AnseRoyale and St. Louis), Praslin and La Digue. These are then prepared for overseas recycling companies. You can also simply sort them into a separate clear bag and place it next to a public bin.
Tourism & People
Tourism arrivals to Seychelles have more than doubled over the last twenty years. Tourism contributed to the fact that Seychelles was classified as high-income country in 2015 and is the sub Saharan Africa’s and the continent’s only top earner in terms of gross national income per capita (World Bank (2019). There is increasing pressure on the natural environment and communities, which the government is taking seriously. Carrying capacity studies are being conducted regularly.
Historically Seychelles is a melting pot of different cultures and people. It is a safe and tolerant destination, which respects universal human rights.
Sustainability Recognitions
Seychelles Sustainable Development Strategy 2012 – 2020
“The Vision reflects the determination of a nation to embrace modernity with a penchant on maintaining a high quality of life based upon a green economy, low pollution and a rich biodiversity environment.”
GSTC-recognized Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) is a sustainable tourism management and certification program designed specifically for use in Seychelles. It is voluntary, user-friendly, and designed to inspire more efficient and sustainable ways of doing business.