The Ministry of Tourism and Culture of the Republic of Seychelles and the Académie de La Réunion have officially signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at reinforcing bilateral cooperation in education and professional training, particularly within the tourism, hospitality, and restaurant sectors.
The memorandum of understanding was officially signed on 19 May 2026 at the Résidence de France in Seychelles by the Minister for Tourism and Culture of the Republic of Seychelles, Mrs Amanda Bernstein and the French Ambassador of France to Seychelles, H.E. Anne Tallineau. The MoU establishes a strategic framework to support skills development, educational excellence, and the long-term attractiveness of professional training pathways across both territories.
The partnership further builds on the successful collaboration between Seychelles and La Réunion through the joint preparation and implementation of the Semaine de l’Excellence, dedicated to healthy and sustainable gastronomy, held in May 2026 in collaboration with the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA). The initiative highlighted the shared commitment of all partners to promoting excellence in tourism and hospitality training through structured and sustainable educational cooperation.
The newly signed agreement identifies several common priorities, including strengthening the attractiveness of vocational education, enhancing competencies to meet international standards of excellence, supporting lifelong learning opportunities, and anticipating the evolution of professions within the tourism, hospitality, and restaurant industries through innovation, circular economy practices, sovereignty, and digital transformation.
Speaking of the significance of the partnership, both parties highlighted the importance of regional collaboration.
“Our partnership with the Académie de La Réunion reflects our shared commitment to investing in people and preparing the next generation of tourism and hospitality professionals for the future. By strengthening regional collaboration, we are creating valuable opportunities for skills development, knowledge exchange, and professional excellence that will not only benefit Seychelles and La Réunion but also contribute to enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Indian Ocean tourism industry as a whole,” said Minister Bernstein.
On her part the French Ambassador, Ms. Anne Tallineau said; ” La convention entre la Seychelles Tourism Academy et le lycée hôtelier Christian Antou donnera un visage très concret à cette coopération, au plus près des jeunes et des équipes pédagogiques. Ces signatures sont importantes, parce qu’entre nos îles, la coopération ne doit pas être seulement institutionnelle ; elle doit être vivante, incarnée et humaine.”
To oversee the partnership, a joint steering committee will be created to coordinate programmes, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes. The committee will meet at least once annually and will work closely with educational institutions, industry operators, professionals, and associations involved in the cooperation of initiatives.
The signing of this MoU marks a new chapter in Seychelles–La Réunion cooperation, reinforcing a shared vision for educational excellence, professional mobility, and sustainable development across the region.
The ceremony was followed by the renewal of a separate Memorandum of Understanding between the Seychelles Tourism Academy and the Lycée Hôtelier Christian Antou, further strengthening educational and professional ties between Seychelles and La Réunion.
