PANAJI: The High Commissioner of Republic of Seychelles, Mr Dick Patrick Esparon, has called for a new beginning of joint promotion of tourism by different countries by pulling together all resources and offering best product to tourists from different parts of the world and reaping best benefits from it.

Stating that Goa and Seychelles have many things in common which could be exploited for mutual benefits, the Seychelles High Commissioner further said that Goa and his country could ink a new beginning by joint promotion with other countries in the India Ocean and Africa, like Mauritius, Kenya, etc. He had a word of praise for the tourism sector and beauty of the state and its people, whom he described as warm.

He also said that direct flights from his country to Chennai (India) would help promote tourism activities in both the countries and Goa could benefit from it. He also agreed to consider a proposal to start direct flights to Goa, even as he said that his country was now in a position to offer tourism-related activities at an affordable rate.

Mr Esparon told a gathering of government officials and members of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, International Centre of Excellence and others that involving locals in tourism-related activities would also go a long way in attracting tourists, even as he said that Seychelles has embarked on creating its own brand by engaging people in tourism promotion and the private sector in a big way.

He said that since over 80 per cent of the consumables and other items needed to cater the tourists in his country have to be imported the rates were on the higher side but with "reforms" undertaken by the Seychelles authorities tourism would not be expensive any more in Seychelles and it would become a destination for all, adding that the tourism grew by six per cent last year and was expected to be up by 12 per cent during this year.

The Seychelles envoy to India, however, said that while promoting tourism the country’s authorities have ensured that the environmental laws were strictly adhered to by the tourism industry and were not violated. He also said that his country has engaged private sector in promotion of tourism and its marketing.

"My country has not compromised on environmental issues," he said adding that no building could be above the tree height in Seychelles and that 50 per cent of the country’s total land was declared as natural reserve where no activity of any sort was allowed. He went on to add that activities of hotels were strictly being monitored so also the disposal of waste.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary, Mr Sanjay Kumar Shrivastava said Goa and Seychelles could learn from one another’s experience and use their expertise in the tourism field for mutual benefit of both the tourist destinations. He also said that promotion of safe and healthy tourism was the main agenda before Goa. He also said that Goa would undertake promotion of hinterland, rural and health tourism in near future.

A brief presentation on Goa’s tourism scenario was given by the director of tourism, Mr Swapnil Naik. He said that since the tourists want to enjoy variety of experience while on holidays the proposal for tie-up between Goa and Seychelles could go a long way in offering different "items" to tourists. He also said that given the setting up of top class health facilities in Goa, the state could emerge as top class health tourism destination.

The tourism secretary, Dr M Modassir while summing up the proceedings said that Goa and Seychelles could work together for promotion of tourism, even as he made a plea for direct flight from Seychelles to Goa.