Tourism in the Seychelles - History and the First Hotels

The Seychelles Islands were not always a tourist mecca. Elite hotels appeared on the archipelago relatively recently. How did tourism originate on the islands and where to find historic hotels?

Surprisingly, the Seychelles, with their incredible landscapes and giant tortoises, had to fight for the emergence of mass tourism. This is due to the remote location of the archipelago. Before the advent of air traffic, only a few cruise ships visited here. And only in the 70s of the 20th century on the tropical coast came the tourist boom.

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History of tourism in the Seychelles

In the 30s of the 20th century, cruise ships touring the Indian Ocean made the Seychelles a mandatory point of their route. But they could not become a source of mass tourism. Therefore, the tourism sector developed poorly. On the islands in small numbers were guest houses and modest hotels. Guests were also accommodated in colonial clubs.

Among the first famous hotels were the De Palm and the Raffles. The latter offered furnished rooms and organized leisure activities for its wealthy guests, including fishing, picnics, and excursions to remote islands to see giant tortoises. However, the hotel was not located where the prestigious Raffles Seychelles stands today.

Mail steamers of the British Steam Navigation Company called at Victoria Harbor once a month, sailing from Bombay to Mombasa. Steamers of the Royal Dutch Mail Line called once a month, sailing from Mombasa to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Jakarta. Steamers of the Scandinavian and East African Line called even less frequently: once every two months, sailing from Madagascar to Europe. The few visitors who stayed on the island until the next ship arrived, typically spending at least six weeks in the Seychelles.

Until the 1960s, the Seychelles had eight hotels with 150 beds. A little later, nearly 500 people visited the islands—an unprecedented tourist influx for the time. Popular resorts of the time included the Hotel des Seychelles and Beau Vallon Beach Hotel in Beau Vallon, and Fairhaven in Glacis. Distance remained the main challenge: the lack of regular connections with mainland Africa and the remoteness were the main obstacles to progress.

Raffles Seychelles

First boom: more tourists than locals

Seychelles owes the appearance of mass tourism to the British, who proposed to develop this direction so that the archipelago could become economically independent. In 1971, the Seychelles International Airport was opened and a tourism boom hit the islands. The government faced a dilemma as demand outstripped supply given the limited hotel spaces. Throughout the 1970s, there was a continuous wave of hotel construction.

In 1972, Seychelles airline Air Mahe began flying between Mahe and Praslin, allowing guests to explore the islands. In 1974 there was an air connection with Paris. And in a few years, the number of tourists has already exceeded the population.

Since then, tourism has gradually become the backbone of the Seychelles economy. This led to a complete reorientation in the labor market. The emergence of vacancies in Mahe led to the active migration of residents from remote islands, who were previously engaged in agriculture. As a result, there was a shortage of food and housing on the islands. While in 1947 80% of the population was employed in agriculture and forestry, by 1977 these sectors accounted for only 17% of total employment. Hotel competition for products led to food imports. As a result, prices increased, which led to the economic dependence of Seychelles on tourism.

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La Digue Island Lodge

One of the oldest hotels in the Seychelles is La Digue Island Lodge, the first on the island of La Digue, opened in 1973. The hotel is located among lush tropical gardens and the beautiful sandy beach of Ans Reunion, where the national monument of the Seychelles - Colonial Yellow House. It is well known for its A-shaped chalet.

• Creole-style rooms are scattered among tropical gardens. The houses have balconies or terraces overlooking the white sandy beach.
• A sunbathing terrace overlooking the ocean is located by the pool with a bar. Wi-Fi is available at the reception.
• Breakfast and dinner are served at the main restaurant. The menu features Creole cuisine and seafood. The restaurant by the pool serves snacks, and the bar has cocktails.
• La Digue Island Lodge has its own diving center on Anse Reunion Beach.
• Fishing, snorkeling and bicycle rental are available. The hotel can organize boat tours and provide information about walking routes.
• La Digue Island Lodge is 500 metres from the inter-island ferry and less than 3 km from Nid Aegle, a hill with panoramic views of La Digue and other islands.

La Digue Island Lodge

Fisherman's Cove Resort

On Mahé Island, on the edge of the famous Beau Vallon resort, stands the five-star Fisherman's Cove Hotel, built in 1943. Situated in the heart of the Seychelles archipelago, overlooking the famous bay, the hotel remains in operation. It has been completely renovated, preserving its traditional architecture.

• Spacious rooms and suites, elegantly decorated, modern and comfortable. Each room has a balcony or terrace with panoramic ocean views.
• Zen Spa offers a wide range of massages and treatments, hammams and Jacuzzi. A fitness center, tennis court and various non-motorized water activities are available for guests.
• Fisherman's Cove has two restaurants and two bars.
• Room service around the clock.
• Guests can swim on the best beach of Seychelles - Beau Vallon.

Fisherman’s Cove Resort

Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Beach

Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Beach Resort is one of the first major resorts built in the Seychelles in the 1970s. The hotel now has 232 comfortable rooms and suites.

• The 3-star Berjaya Hotel is located right in the heart of Beau Vallon Beach.
• The rooms have double beds, TV, safe, mini-bar and refrigerator.
• 5 restaurants offering dishes of different cuisines of the world: Italian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese on the menu, grill.
• Round-the-clock registration of departure, currency exchange.
• Children's playground and cafe.
• Conference rooms, laundry and parking are available.

Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Beach