On the east coast of Africa, an island nation of less than a hundred thousand people that relies on tourism, COVID-19 has devastated its primary industry. The tourism industry is slowly emerging from lockdowns with over $ 240 million worth of new developments.

IN countries where tourism dominates the economy, the global Covid-19 pandemic has dealt lethal blows to businesses, citizens and governments. Seychelles opened to tourism in the 1970s but closed its borders last year and slowly opened them earlier this year. 

The country now has $ 81 million in upcoming tourism-related projects and the ongoing construction of the $ 100 million Waldorf Astoria Platte Island resort.

However, it has halted the $20 million Mahe Island floating solar initiative to install 5.8 megawatts of floating solar capacity in a saltwater lagoon on the main island. This project would have been the first floating PV array in Africa and the first solar array spearheaded by an independent power producer.

The Seychelles Port Authority is currently designing the $41 million upgrade and expansion of the Port of Victoria, which will bring to market a new 650m quay wall and the capacity to handle up to 6,000 TEUs per year. The European Investment Bank, the French Development Agency and the European Union are providing financing for the project.

Developer Otjomuise Holdings is designing the $40 million Seychelles Ademola Villas complex to boost tourism with 75 holiday villas, a restaurant, a sports area and a small commercial facility on 124 hectares.

The Islands Development Company is halfway through construction of the luxury Waldorf Astoria Hotel complex. To be operated by Hilton Worldwide, the facility features 59 beachfront villas with private pools, six restaurants and bars, a spa, kids' club, observatory, tennis courts and an aquatic conservation discovery center.

Source: ABIConsulting