Tourists flock back to laid-back La Digue |17 November 2021
Tourism establishments on La Digue are once again thriving, enjoying high occupancy rates over the last two weeks as tourists flock back to the laid-back island.
Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, Sylvestre Radegonde, got this information during talks held with business owners in the tourism sector on La Digue on Friday November 12 and Saturday November 13, during his regular familiarisation visits to hotel establishments.
Minister Radegonde was accompanied by principal secretary for tourism Sherin Francis, director general for destination planning and development Paul Lebon and director general for destination marketing Bernadette Willemin, from the tourism department.
During his previous visit to the island in August this year, Minister Radegonde found the tourism establishments on the island struggling with less than half of their rooms booked. This situation has now changed and high occupancy is expected over the coming weeks.
In keeping with the ministry's mandate to diversify and increase the range of tourism product offerings, Minister Radegonde is encouraging the Diguois to venture into other businesses and not just remain in accommodation especially now that the industry is picking up.
During the two-day visit, Minister Radegonde visited 15 hotels, villas, self-caterings and guesthouses in the Anse Sevère and surrounding areas. He is extremely satisfied with the occupancy rate of these tourism establishments and the fact that other tourism-related businesses are also benefiting from the increase in tourists spending more than three days on La Digue.
As was the case for previous visits, this visit was also an opportunity for Minister Radegonde and his delegation to familiarise themselves with the various products and services being offered on the island.
But some of the main challenges the hoteliers are facing include lack of employment, nuisances such as stray dogs and illegal activities on some beaches.
On his last day on La Digue, Minister Radegonde and his delegation visited the Grand Anse, Petit Anse and Anse Coco beaches to see some of the activities taking place there.
Minister Radegonde and his delegation will continue to conduct these regular visits to better understand and support the industry.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of Minister Radegonde’s visit on La Digue.
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Press release from Tourism 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
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