The heart of Seychellois hospitality shone brightly on Saturday, 22 September 2025, as the Tourism Department hosted the 4th annual Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel Service Excellence Awards. The ceremony celebrated the individuals and businesses setting the highest standards in Seychelles’ tourism industry.
Held at Savoy Resort & Spa, the event was attended by President Dr. Patrick Herminie, First Lady Mrs. Veronique Herminie, Principal Minister Mr. Wallace Cosgrow, Minister for Tourism and Culture Mrs. Amanda Bernstein, Principal Secretary for Tourism Mrs. Sherin Francis, among other distinguished guests, sponsors, and industry leaders.
The awards recognise those who go above and beyond to deliver memorable experiences, embodying the true spirit of Lospitalite—service from the heart. Winners in the Tourism Businesses and Tourism Employees categories received handcrafted trophies by local sculptor Joseph Norah, each symbolising dedication, passion, and pride in Seychellois hospitality.
This year, three establishments stood out with third consecutive wins: Mason’s Travel (Large Tour Operator), Constance Ephelia Resort (Large Hotel), and La Cigale (Small Hotel). Strong repeat performers, such as Le Duc de Praslin (Medium Hotel) and Treasure Villa (Self-Catering), also secured second consecutive wins, highlighting consistency and excellence across the sector.
For the second consecutive year, the prestigious Minister’s Award was presented to a business that demonstrated exceptional performance in service delivery, innovation, and overall contribution to elevating the visitor experience. This special award, uniquely designed to symbolise excellence, leadership, and innovation in the tourism sector, was bestowed upon HH Farm, recognised for their remarkable dedication to quality, creativity, and championing Seychelles agritourism. Their continued efforts to enhance their offerings and set new benchmarks in the industry earned them this distinguished honour.
More than 125 businesses registered for this year’s awards, with participants assessed multiple times, combining planned and mystery evaluations. At the end of the evening, the PS for Tourism officially launched the 5th edition of the Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel Awards. The programme continues to encourage wider participation from businesses across the sector, reflecting a commitment to recognising excellence throughout Seychelles’ tourism industry.
Efforts will be made to expand and adapt award categories where needed, ensuring that the programme remains relevant and inclusive. Through ongoing development and engagement, the awards aim to support the continuous growth of service standards and foster a culture of excellence across all tourism establishments.
