The Seychelles Tourism Department has launched a series of training sessions to help small tourism operators optimise revenue during low seasons. Running from November 18th to December 6th, the 11 sessions across Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue target operators looking to enhance their business strategies for managing both high and low tourist seasons, ensuring year-round sustainability.
The initiative has attracted strong participation, with around 90 candidates taking part. With the Praslin and La Digue sessions already completed, the remaining sessions for Mahé will conclude shortly. Feedback will be collected to assess the sessions’ effectiveness and plans are already underway to organise further sessions next year to extend the benefits of this programme.
Seychelles’ low seasons, particularly in May and June, pose a significant challenge for many small operators due to a sharp drop in visitor numbers. Other low-season periods include the post-Christmas and New Year’s period, as well as September, following the European school holidays.
According to the Principal Secretary for the Tourism Department, Mrs. Sherin Francis, the low season of May/June was particularly difficult for small operators. “We noticed that this year, the low season was more pronounced, especially in May and June,” she said. “Some small operators are still struggling to adjust and optimise their revenue. When demand is high, they need to capitalise on that demand, and when demand is low, they need to adjust prices and offer special promotions to ensure consistent revenue.”
Mrs Francis added, “We want our small operators to optimise their revenue so that they are prepared for both the high and low tourist seasons. This training is an opportunity for them to seize strategies that will benefit their businesses and ensure that, when the next low season arrives, they are fully prepared.”
Making up the bigger share of rooms in Seychelles, these small operators including small hotels, guesthouses, self-caterings are a vital component of Seychelles’ tourism economy, accounting for 57.36% of the total number of rooms across the islands.
Mrs Francis emphasised that given their significant share in the Seychelles tourism landscape, it is even more crucial to support and encourage their performance, as their success directly impacts the country’s overall economic health.
The training sessions are free, requiring only one-days’ time and commitment from participants. Each session is designed to provide practical, actionable insights into revenue optimisation and how to better manage business operations during varying tourist seasons.
“We are confident this initiative will offer lasting advantages,” Mrs. Francis said. “By equipping our small operators to navigate off-peak seasons, we are empowering them with the facilities to better manage their income and secure their long-term sustainability.”
The Tourism Department is committed to continuing and expanding the programme in the future. As Seychelles prepares to tackle the low-season revenue challenges for 2025, these sessions provide an important step toward building resilience in the small tourism sector, enabling them to thrive throughout the year.
