Training for small tourism establishment owners and managers on La Digue

The Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA) has organised a third training for Small Tourism Establishment Owners and Managers on La Digue following training’s held on Mahé in November 2018 and Praslin in December 2018. The aim of these training is to assist small tourism establishments in developing skills and competencies in the hospitality sector in order to operate successfully.

18 proud participants received their Certificate of Attendance in a small ceremony on Thursday 24th January 2019 at the La Digue Community Centre after completing a four day training which took place from 21st -24th January 2019. Speaking at the certificate presentation ceremony, Mrs. Anne Lafortune, the Principal Secretary for Tourism emphasised on the fact that 67% of the tourism establishments in Seychelles are Seychellois owned with a majority operating a small establishments. Therefore the role of locally owned establishments is of utmost importance to ensure the continued growth and success of our tourism industry.

The representative of the SHTA, Mrs. Natalie Dubuisson also congratulated the participants and took this opportunity to send a general invitation for small establishments to become a member of the SHTA. Mrs. Dubuisson also highlighted on the benefits of the association which include more exposure to training opportunities as well as an available platform for networking and discussing the different concerns that they might encounter in their businesses.

During the four day training, the participants benefitted from a range of topics including Basic Bookkeeping; Basic Marketing; Adding the Creole touch to food and drinks; Reservation Techniques; Basic Housekeeping and Bed Making Techniques; Customer Care and Etiquette; Managing Guests Expectations and Intercultural Awareness; Advantages of the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL); the Seychelles Secrets; Waste Management and Sustainability practices and Safety Awareness for small establishments. These topics were delivered by professionals from the tourism industry, Seychelles Tourism Academy, Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF) and staff of the Department of Tourism.

To date, 62 participants have benefitted from this training across the three main islands. The aim is to ensure that the majority, if not all small tourism establishment owners and managers partake in a form of training that will develop them further and also improve the service delivery across the tourism industry.

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