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To achieve a greater degree of standardisation and professionalism within Seychelles’ tourism industry, the Department of Tourism aims to adopt a standardised grading system for tourism establishments. It is important for tourists to be able to learn about each establishment’s standards before making a purchase, allowing them to know what to expect. The grade of facilities and services available influences a visitor’s choice of destination.
To achieve a greater degree of standardisation and professionalism within Seychelles’ tourism industry, the Department of Tourism aims to adopt a standardised grading system for tourism establishments. It is important for tourists to be able to learn about each establishment’s standard before making a purchase, allowing them to know what to expect. The grade of facilities and services available influences a visitor’s choice of destination.
The grading system will consist of two programmes – the Star Rating System and the Seychelles Secrets programme – and will better showcase the product diversity, and allow establishments to better market and sell their products. Establishments with 51 rooms or more will automatically fall under the Star Rating System and will be provided with a star rating between three to five stars. There are 21 hotels that fall under this category and their participation in this grading programme is compulsory. It is optional for establishments with 50 rooms or less to partake in this grading programme.
The Seychelles Secret programme is geared towards smaller establishments like self-catering establishments, guesthouses and small hotels. Here establishments will receive one of three grades – Bronze, Silver, and Gold, following the assessment.
A set of criteria for evaluation has been developed by the Department of Tourism and comprises physical, comfort, service, universal accessibility, and sustainability assessment areas. Currently, there are over 730 tourism establishments in the country, 75 per cent of which are self-catering. The Department of Tourism will commence this process with a sensitisation programme with the establishment owners, where the purpose and benefits of the grading system will be detailed. In September, the department will start assessing establishments. The full roll-out of the programme is anticipated to take place about a year from this month.
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The Cabinet of Ministers approved the Tourism Development Standards Regulations. Once the regulations come into force and the tourism department launches the grading programme officially, the establishment will no longer be able to publish any other rating system currently being used unless it is one provided by the department. Once graded, establishments will be issued a plaque, with the grading, which they will be able to showcase in a visible area of the establishment.
