| Tourists can now visit State House

| Tourists can now visit State House - 29.09.2011 Tourists will now be able to visit State House every Wednesday starting next week, secretary of state Barry Faure announced yesterday when managers from the tourism industry went there for a tour. He was addressing the guests after they toured the gardens and saw the monuments in the grounds and in State House, which is celebrating 100 years since its foundation stone was laid. Also present was chief executive Alain St Ange of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB). The visitors will be expected to pay R150 per head which will be used mainly to maintain the gardens. Mr Faure, who is also the chairman of the STB, said representatives of the industry have been requesting that tourists get the chance to see State House. “Today’s visit is in response to the demands made by the industry to offer more in terms of events for the tourists. “We are very happy that President James Michel – who holds the portfolio for tourism – has approved the idea of opening State House grounds as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone, not only to the public but also to our visitors. Mr St Ange said State House is “one of the unique selling points of Seychelles which is part of our history and the most important house as it has the offices of the President and of the Vice-President”.     “When the President– about a year ago – said we were going to claim back our tourism industry and launch the Seychelles brand of tourism, he was also looking at all the natural assets that we have; all the unique selling points we have in the country which make up Seychelles, and this is why today it is fitting that the tourism trade sees one of the unique selling points that we were not able to use for many years for different reasons,” he said. He said the office has many functions, but as tourism is the pillar of the country’s economy it was opportune for the President to decide that for one day a week we will be able to open the grounds for the tourism trade for visitors to come here. Chief press secretary Srdjana Janosevic said since State House opened its doors to public in February, 5,000 Seychellois have been there. She said yesterday’s visitors were main stakeholders of the industry, including heads of tour operators, and hotel managers. “We would like those from the industry who have not visited to come because we want everybody who works in the industry to promote this tourists’ day,” she said. Seychellois will still be able to visit State House on Fridays free of charge but the few tourists who may opt to go there on that day can be accommodated, but will need to pay the R150 contribution for maintenance. Visitors were able to see the unique flora of State House, giant tortoises and the mausoleums in which colonial administrators were buried, among other places of interest.

Posted in: