As promised by President Danny Faure in his State-of-the-Nation Address on February 14, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Maurice Loustau-Lalanne has revealed the list of projects not concerned by the moratorium imposed on the construction of large hotels.
The moratorium was announced by former president James Michel on June 29, 2015 for projects not yet approved as of this date. On February 14, President Faure extended the freeze up to 2020.
The list and location of projects previously approved and of which construction work may start are as follows: Anse Boudin Hotel (Anse Boudin, Praslin), Bayview Estate (Beau Vallon), KRG Resort and Spa (Anse Forbans), Police Bay Hotel (Police Bay), Epitome Family Resort (Anse Forbans), Beau Vallon Eco friendly Hotel (Beau Vallon), 5* Hotel Bel Ombre (Bel Ombre), Waterfront Development (Roche Caïman), Downtown Properties (Roche Caïman), Four Seasons (Platte Island), Sunset Beach Hotel (Glacis), Zilwa (Ste Anne Island), Grand Barbe (Grand Barbe, Silhouette), Sea View Resort and Spa (Sail Fish Estate, Baie Lazare), Anse à la Mouche (Anse à la Mouche, Anse Boileau/Baie Lazare), Takamaka Resort (Takamaka), le Privilége (Anse Lazio, Praslin).
Work on one other hotel, the Long Island Resort and SPA, is currently on hold due to a change of use which has to be approved by government.
If realised, the new projects will add nearly 2,500 rooms to Seychelles’ tourism capacity. Minister Loustau-Lalanne has commented that as tourism arrivals continually increase, “we have to be proactive, think now and plan for the future, as if we have more tourists than adequate infrastructure we will not be able to cater for them”. In this same vein, he has added that it is the duty of the tourism department to help the developers in the conception of their projects.
The Tourism Minister has said with Austrian Airlines coming in as from October and Air Seychelles introducing new flights to Dusseldorf and Durban, he feels that there is currently enough air connectivity in order to fly in the needed tourists.
He has however explained that as some of the hotel projects are still subject to environment assessment impact (EIA), it is not sure if they will follow their original plan as they can be reduced in character or in size, or even if they will be built at all.
“We want to make sure that we apply the regulations to the letter,” he said, adding that some projects, like the Police Bay Hotel, would not kick off before 2020.
Asked why this project could not be called off due to public outcry and the cultural value of the site as has been the case for Cap Ternay, the minister replied that it was too early to suggest what could happen. He however added that the plan has already been reduced in size and that negotiations with the owners are ongoing.
On the proposal made by the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Pillay to build houses for Baie Lazare and Anse Boileau families on the plot bought by UAE Investment and destined for hotel building at Anse à La Mouche, Minister Loustau-Lalanne suggested that the two needs of hotel construction and housing can be combined.
“We must choose good areas for housing, where people will benefit, and not areas where construction costs will be higher. Maybe we can combine the two possibilities as people need housing too,” he proposed.
Called to explain why permission is granted to hotel projects before EIA is done, he replied that this is only a “permission in principle” before the assessment is done and planning permission is obtained with all the conditions that the government finds suitable to impose. From then, the projects must be completed within a three-year period, with the possibility of a further two-year extension.
The minister responsible for tourism has meanwhile confirmed that there is for the moment no new hotel project planned for the Beau Vallon water front. He has added that his ministry would rather like the ‘Bazar Labrin’ which is held every Wednesday in the area to continue, as he says activities have to be organised for tourists and Seychellois alike and many people earn their living from those activities. He has consequently stressed on the necessity to negotiate with the property owners.
For the same reasons, Mr Loustau-Lalanne has said the Anse Royale Beach Park must also be redeveloped.
Source : Seychelles NATION