Tourism Seychelles and the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) are set to launch the Tourism Expenditure Survey in an effort to better understand and optimise Seychelles’ potential as a tourist destination.
Previously, the National Bureau of Statistics conducted manual surveys on a quarterly basis, but the practice was halted in 2018. Building on the existing exercise, as of June 7th, 2023, visitors departing from Seychelles will now be able to complete the survey online following their trip.
The survey was designed with the assistance of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) experts, who guided Seychelles through the development of the Tourism Satellite Account.
To participate, visitors must click the ‘opt-in’ button when completing the Digital Travel Authorization form on the Seychelles Electronic Border System before arriving in the country. A link to the survey will be sent through email at the end of the trip, and the data will be gathered and analysed by the NBS.
All respondents can be assured that the information they submit will be used for statistical purposes and that all collected responses will be anonymous, resulting in no personal information being shared with any third party.
The survey marks a crucial milestone in the destination’s plan to elevate the visitor experience. It aims to collect data on visitor spending and experiences in Seychelles, whether on vacation, business trips or for other reasons.
Speaking about the project, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs Sherin Francis, emphasised the importance of the exercise for the destination.
“One of the things we struggle with as a small destination is intelligence. As we address our strategic objectives and keep working on growing the demand for our destination, we need to have relevant information that will allow us to not only market ourselves better but also increase the value of our product,”
Scattered off the East coast of Africa, the Seychelles Islands is a small touristic destination boasting its uniqueness in the Indian Ocean region. With the tourism industry as a pillar of the Seychelles economy, Tourism Seychelles is dedicated to developing and maintaining an authentic, dynamic, and sustainable tourism product on its shores, ensuring that the country continues to captivate visitors with its unparalleled offerings.
