AGP Executive Report

Seychelles Tourism Strategy at ATM 2026: The Seychelles Tourism Board is putting the GCC at the centre of its high-value, sustainable tourism push, with plans for a new Emirates MoU and deeper travel-trade engagement—aimed at shifting from volume to value and encouraging longer stays and wider local spending. Marine Protection Tech: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority has expanded an AI-assisted camera network across Sainte Anne Marine National Park to better monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time for rangers. Aride Island Conservation Lessons: New reflections from University of Exeter students highlight Aride Island’s role as a “living laboratory,” home to massive seabird colonies and reintroduced Aldabra giant tortoises. Agroecology for Cleaner Water: A two-year Seychelles agroecology project is credited with strengthening sustainable farming practices while targeting pollution and soil erosion from agriculture. Tourism Messaging for Recovery: Industry voices say destinations need credible, on-the-ground communication—especially as social media drives traveller decisions during uncertainty. Island Demand Signals: Expedia reports rising interest in island getaways, with Praslin (Seychelles) among the fastest-growing search destinations.

Tourism & Connectivity: Seychelles is putting the GCC at the centre of its high-value, sustainable tourism push at ATM 2026, with around six in 10 visitors reaching the islands via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, and plans for a new Emirates MoU to deepen regional travel trade and move beyond the “luxury beach” image. Aviation Partnerships: Emirates is also renewing and expanding island partnerships at ATM 2026, including strengthened commitments tied to Seychelles’ access through Dubai, as Emirates currently runs multiple weekly flights to Mahé. Marine Conservation Tech: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority has expanded an AI-assisted camera network across Sainte Anne Marine National Park to better monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time. Island Conservation & Learning: Students from the University of Exeter spent time on Aride Island, a living laboratory managed by the Island Conservation Society, highlighting hands-on lessons from a reserve with major seabird populations and reintroduced giant tortoises. Sustainable Farming: A Seychelles agroecology project (Sept 2024–Aug 2026) says it helped farmers adopt practices aimed at reducing pollution and soil erosion from agriculture.

AI & Marine Protection: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority has expanded an AI-assisted camera network across Sainte Anne Marine National Park, adding new cameras on Sainte Anne and Moyenne islands to better monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time via EarthRanger. Conservation & Education: Students from the University of Exeter spent time on Aride Island, a living laboratory managed by the Island Conservation Society, learning from a reserve that hosts half a million seabirds and reintroduced Aldabra giant tortoises. Agroecology for Cleaner Seas: A two-year Seychelles agroecology project (Sept 2024–Aug 2026) focused on helping farmers adopt sustainable practices to cut pollution and soil erosion linked to agriculture. Tourism & Wellness: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island rolled out refreshed spa and wellness medical screenings, using non-invasive biomarker analysis to shape personalised multi-day programmes. Wildlife History: A new look at introduced goats highlights how conservationists eradicated them on Aride decades after their arrival to protect the island’s native ecosystem. Seychelles in Global Talks: Seychelles’ finance minister praised China’s services trade growth at CIFTIS, pointing to AI and digital innovation opportunities for smaller economies like Seychelles.

Marine Protection Tech: Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority has expanded its AI-assisted camera network across Sainte Anne Marine National Park, adding new cameras on Sainte Anne and Moyenne islands to better monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time. Conservation Education: Exeter Master’s students spent time on Aride Island, describing hands-on lessons from the “living laboratory” of a reserve managed by the Island Conservation Society, home to seabirds and reintroduced Aldabra giant tortoises. Wildlife Longevity Spotlight: A feature compares the extreme lifespans of the Seychelles giant tortoise Jonathan and the bowhead whale, while noting the health trade-offs that come with age. Agroecology for Cleaner Waters: A two-year Seychelles agroecology project (Sept 2024–Aug 2026) focused on more sustainable farming to reduce pollution and soil erosion from agriculture. Tourism & Climate Context: A travel piece highlights rising interest in island getaways, with Praslin (Seychelles) among destinations seeing big search growth. Tourism Diplomacy: Seychelles Ambassador at Large Alain St.Ange urged delegates to measure tourism beyond arrivals, framing it as a bridge between nations.

Tourism & Health: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island refreshed its spa and wellness menu with a 60-minute Wellness Medical Screening using non-invasive tech to analyse 30+ biomarkers, then build personalised 3-, 5- or 7-day programmes focused on recovery, detoxification, sleep, stress and wellbeing. Agroecology & Water Protection: A Seychelles agroecology project (“Diffusion of Agroecology to Reduce the Risk of Pollution and Erosion from Agricultural Origin on Seychelles Waters”) ran from Sept 2024 to Aug 2026, training farmers and partners to cut agricultural pollution and soil erosion while boosting sustainable farming practices. Wildlife & Conservation History: A new look at Western Indian Ocean island conservation highlights how introduced goats became a long-term problem in Seychelles, with Aride Island’s early eradication effort in 1920 later becoming one of the region’s first mammal removals. Renewables Cooperation: Seychelles met the International Solar Alliance to strengthen collaboration on solar PV and renewable energy priorities, supporting the move toward wider adoption of clean power. Maritime & Tourism Infrastructure: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal to explore passenger facilities and maritime connectivity, including sustainability efforts and the proposed Mumbai Marina project. Island Travel Demand: Expedia’s 2026 “Island Hot List” shows Praslin searches up 80% year over year, pointing to rising interest in Seychelles island getaways.

Agroecology for cleaner Seychelles waters: A two-year Seychelles project, “Diffusion of Agroecology to Reduce the Risk of Pollution and Erosion from Agricultural Origin on Seychelles Waters,” ran from Sept 2024 to Aug 2026, bringing farmers and extension partners together to boost sustainable practices and cut farm-linked pollution and soil erosion. Conservation lesson from goats on Aride: A new look at introduced mammals in the Western Indian Ocean highlights how goats on Seychelles’ Aride Island—introduced decades earlier—eventually triggered major conservation action, with eradication efforts recorded as among the earliest in the region. Renewables push with ISA: Seychelles met the International Solar Alliance to strengthen cooperation on solar PV and renewable energy priorities, supporting the country’s transition to wider solar adoption. Tourism beyond arrivals: Seychelles Ambassador-at-Large Alain St.Ange urged delegates to measure tourism by more than visitor numbers, framing it as a bridge for peace and human connection. Wellness with biometric screening: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island launched refreshed spa wellness medical screenings using non-invasive biomarker analysis to shape personalised multi-day programmes. Seychelles-Russia cultural ties: “Under One Sun” opened in Victoria, featuring Russian and Seychellois artists who painted outdoors around the islands. Fisheries monitoring upgrade (regional): Mauritius approved amendments to its fisheries electronic reporting system to curb IUU fishing, tightening repair and verification rules for vessel ERS units.

Child Health: South Africa’s childhood vaccination coverage has dropped sharply, with the share of infants recorded as receiving no vaccinations rising from 12.1% (2017) to 36.3% (Jan–Apr 2026), alongside measles and diphtheria outbreaks—fuelled by low parent demand and missed health-system opportunities. Tourism & Diplomacy: Seychelles tourism veteran Dr. Alain St.Ange urged the world to measure tourism beyond arrivals, framing it as a bridge for peace and human connection at Oxford’s Global Diplomat Summit. Clean Water & Farming: A Seychelles agroecology project (Sept 2024–Aug 2026) helped farmers adopt practices aimed at cutting pollution and soil erosion from agriculture. Renewables: Seychelles renewed cooperation with the International Solar Alliance to speed up solar PV adoption and support the country’s renewable energy transition. Wildlife Conservation: A study revisits how goats introduced to Seychelles islands caused long-term ecosystem damage, with Aride Island’s eradication effort starting decades later. Seychelles in the Region: Seychelles hosted a conference on 50 years of friendship with Russia, focusing on education and building human capital. Island Travel Demand: Expedia reports Praslin searches up 80% year over year, highlighting growing interest in Seychelles island getaways.

Tourism Diplomacy: Seychelles Ambassador at Large Dr. Alain St.Ange urged delegates at Oxford to measure tourism beyond arrivals, framing it as a bridge that can reduce prejudice and strengthen peace. Sustainable Farming: A two-year agroecology project in Seychelles is credited with boosting practical sustainable farming while targeting pollution and soil erosion from agriculture. Renewables Cooperation: Seychelles reaffirmed its partnership with the International Solar Alliance, discussing how to accelerate solar PV adoption and align with national renewable energy priorities. Wildlife Conservation Lesson: A new look at introduced goats highlights how long-term damage to island ecosystems forced conservationists to eradicate goats on Aride after decades—an early case from Seychelles with wider lessons for the Western Indian Ocean. Maritime & Tourism Links: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal, exploring passenger facilities and sustainability efforts, with interest in marine tourism and waterfront development. Eco-Tourism Rankings: Seychelles is cited as the global leader for eco-tourism in a U.S. News & World Report ranking, with Cambodia topping Southeast Asia. Wellness Tourism: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island rolled out refreshed spa and wellness medical screenings using non-invasive biometric checks to tailor multi-day programmes.

Agroecology for cleaner Seychelles waters: A two-year project, “Diffusion of Agroecology to Reduce the Risk of Pollution and Erosion from Agricultural Origin on Seychelles Waters,” ran from Sept 2024 to Aug 2026, bringing farmers and educators together to push sustainable farming and cut farm-linked pollution and soil erosion. Renewables push: Seychelles met the International Solar Alliance to strengthen cooperation on solar PV and renewable energy adoption, aligning with the country’s transition priorities. Solar and energy cooperation: The same ISA partnership talks focused on practical ways to speed up solar PV uptake in Seychelles. Seychelles–Russia ties via culture: “Under One Sun” opened in Victoria, with Russian and Seychellois artists creating plein-air works around Venn’s Town and Sans Souci, spotlighting local nature and landscapes for international audiences. Tourism demand signal: Expedia reports Praslin (Seychelles) searches up 80% year over year, showing growing interest in island getaways. Eco-tourism rankings: U.S. News & World Report lists Seychelles as the top global eco-tourism destination, reinforcing the islands’ conservation-and-nature appeal. Maritime sustainability interest: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal and discussed port infrastructure, including sustainability initiatives. Wildlife and climate note: Warming seas are linked to octopus moving into British waters, a reminder of how climate shifts can reshape marine ecosystems. Local learning visit: Grand Anse Praslin teachers travelled to Mahé for professional development and cross-curricular learning activities.

Agroecology for cleaner seas: A Seychelles agroecology project (“Diffusion of Agroecology to Reduce the Risk of Pollution and Erosion from Agricultural Origin on Seychelles Waters”) ran from Sept 2024 to Aug 2026, training farmers and extension teams to cut agricultural pollution and soil erosion while boosting sustainable farming practices. Renewables cooperation: Seychelles met the International Solar Alliance to push forward solar PV adoption and align on renewable energy priorities. Wildlife under pressure: A new Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcase highlights nature’s beauty and vulnerability, with winners announced in October. Climate impacts on marine life: Warming seas are linked to octopus surges in British waters, with knock-on effects for shellfish and local fisheries. Fisheries monitoring push (region): Mauritius approved tighter rules for its fisheries electronic reporting system to curb IUU fishing and improve data integrity. Tourism demand signal: Expedia reports Praslin (Seychelles) among the fastest-rising island destinations for 2026 travel searches.

Wellness & Health Tech: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island has refreshed its spa menu with a 60-minute Wellness Medical Screening using non-invasive tech to analyse 30+ biomarkers, then build personalised 3-, 5- or 7-day programmes focused on recovery or detox. Seychelles-Russia Cultural Diplomacy: The “Under One Sun” plein-air exhibition opened in Victoria, featuring Russian and Seychellois artists and highlighting Seychelles’ nature and way of life for an international audience. Tourism Demand Signals: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List shows Praslin (Seychelles) searches up 80% year over year, pointing to rising interest in island getaways beyond classic beach trips. Marine & Fisheries Governance (Region): Mauritius approved amendments to its fisheries electronic reporting system to curb IUU fishing, tightening repair timelines and verification for ERS units. Solar & Renewables Cooperation: Seychelles reaffirmed its partnership with the International Solar Alliance to boost solar PV adoption and renewable energy development. Wildlife & Climate Impacts (Global): A report on warming seas shows octopus numbers surging in British waters, with knock-on effects for local shellfish and fisheries. Eco-tourism Rankings (Global): U.S. News & World Report ranks Seychelles No. 1 globally for eco-tourism, with rankings tied to protected areas, species richness and sustainable trade. Heat & Cooling Debate (Global): New research warns air conditioning saves lives but also drives emissions as cooling demand rises with climate change.

Renewables & Energy Transition: Seychelles reaffirmed its push for solar PV and renewable energy with a meeting between the Environment, Climate, Energy & Natural Resources minister and the International Solar Alliance, aiming to deepen support for the country’s solar rollout. Solar & Climate Resilience: A separate energy-storage discussion in Hong Kong stressed the need for scenario-based, integrated power systems—linking solar and storage—to handle flexibility across seconds to seasons. Fisheries Monitoring & IUU Control: Mauritius approved amended rules for its fisheries electronic reporting system, tightening ERS repair timelines and verification to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Blue Economy Skills: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute is scaling up training for ship design and shipbuilding as blue economy investment grows. Wildlife & Climate Impacts: A report from the UK highlights warming seas driving an octopus boom, with knock-on effects for shellfish and local catches. Nature & Conservation Spotlight: Wildlife Photographer of the Year released a preview of striking images from a record 65,403 entries, underscoring biodiversity and vulnerability. Tourism & Environment: Seychelles was named the top global eco-tourism destination in a U.S. News & World Report ranking, ahead of Slovenia and Croatia, with eco-protection and protected areas among the factors. Maritime Tourism Infrastructure: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal to explore passenger facilities and sustainability efforts, including interest in marine tourism and waterfront development. Cooling vs Emissions: A new study warns that while air conditioning saves lives, rising cooling demand could sharply increase heat-trapping emissions—raising the stakes for climate-smart cooling.

Seychelles Tourism & Nature: A fresh look at why the Seychelles still feels “otherworldly” to first-time visitors—fruit bats at eye level, La Digue’s granite beaches, and rare interior plants—while welcoming about 350,000 travellers a year, mostly from Europe. Fisheries & Ocean Protection: Mauritius has approved amended rules for its fisheries electronic reporting system to curb IUU fishing, including mandatory repairs of ERS units within 30 days and restrictions on starting trips until verified. Renewables & Energy Storage: Sungrow says the next phase of the renewable energy transition will rely on flexibility and integrated, scenario-based systems—pairing solar with storage and coordinating multiple clean resources. Solar Cooperation: Seychelles met the International Solar Alliance to push solar PV adoption and strengthen renewable energy partnership. Maritime Infrastructure: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal, exploring passenger facilities and sustainability efforts tied to marine tourism. Wildlife & Climate Signals: A report from the UK links warming seas to a surge in octopus numbers, with knock-on impacts for local shellfish fisheries. Quiet Tourism Trend: A new “Unspoilt Index” ranks islands by peaceful soundscapes—less roads, less air traffic, more nature—fueling demand for “quietcations.”

Renewables & Energy Security: Seychelles and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) agreed to deepen cooperation on solar PV and renewable energy as the country pushes its transition to cleaner power. Parliament & Maritime Sustainability: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal to study passenger facilities and maritime infrastructure, with officials also discussing the port’s sustainability and environmental initiatives. Blue Economy & Skills: Seychelles is also linked to wider regional momentum as maritime training expands across the Indian Ocean, with Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute scaling up blue-economy courses. Wildlife & Conservation: Aldabra giant tortoises native to Seychelles’ Aldabra Atoll have been added to Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia, marking a new phase of an exchange programme aimed at education and conservation awareness. Climate Impacts at Sea: Warming seas are driving an octopus surge in British waters, reshaping local fisheries and shellfish populations—another reminder of how climate change is altering marine life. Tourism & Learning: Grand Anse Praslin teachers took learning beyond the classroom with an educational visit to Mahé, while Seychelles’ eco-tourism leadership was highlighted in a regional ranking.

Eco-Tourism Spotlight: Seychelles is ranked No.1 for eco-tourism globally in a U.S. News & World Report list, with the ranking factoring deforestation, protected areas, species richness and sustainable trade. Climate Impacts on Wildlife: Warming seas are driving a surge of octopuses into British waters, with reports of major knock-on effects for local shellfish and fisheries. Solar & Renewables Cooperation: Seychelles met the International Solar Alliance to strengthen solar PV and renewable energy development, aligning on priorities for faster adoption. Blue Economy & Skills: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute is scaling up ship design and shipbuilding training as blue economy investment grows, aiming to build local capacity. Wildlife Conservation News: Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia has welcomed four Aldabra giant tortoises from Japan, marking the first time the species has been housed there and boosting public conservation awareness. Tourism, Ports & Sustainability: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal, exploring maritime infrastructure and sustainability initiatives tied to cleaner port operations. Energy Security Deal: Seychelles’ wider region sees fuel supply moves—Mauritius signed a long-term agreement with IndianOil—highlighting how stable energy sourcing supports island economies. Quiet Tourism Trend: A new “quietcation” push is ranking islands by peaceful soundscapes, dark skies and low development—an angle that could resonate with Seychelles’ nature-led tourism.

Renewables & Energy: Seychelles reaffirmed its push for solar PV with the International Solar Alliance, discussing how to speed up adoption of photovoltaic technologies. Blue Economy & Skills: Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute is scaling up training for ship design and shipbuilding as blue economy investment grows. Wildlife & Conservation: Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia welcomed four Aldabra giant tortoises in a first-of-its-kind exchange, boosting public awareness of the Seychelles’ iconic species. Maritime Tourism & Infrastructure: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal to explore passenger facilities and sustainability efforts, including the proposed Mumbai Marina project. Digital Trade for Africa: AfCFTA signed an agreement with QUEST Ghana to set up and run a digital trade corridor hosted in Seychelles to facilitate cross-border commerce. Climate & Health: A new study highlights how air conditioning saves lives, while warning it can worsen climate change—an issue that matters as heat risks rise. Environmental Education: Seychelles Tourism Academy held Russia’s Knowledge Day lesson, focusing on environmental education and practical waste-reduction habits.