Category Archives: Seychelles

16 February 2021 | Education

The President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan received the new vice-chancellor of the University of Seychelles (UniSey), Miss Jolle Perreau at State House yesterday.

Miss Perreau is the fifth vice-chancellor of the University of Seychelles (UniSey) and she has been employed with UniSey since its inception in 2010. She has made a significant contribution to the development of programmes, teaching, and quality assurance of the university. She joined the UniSey leadership cadre in 2015, as the head of programme, which she was then later promoted to dean of faculty.

President Ramkalawan congratulated Miss Perreau in her new post and hoped that this brings new impetus to the University of Seychelles. The President conveyed his continued support and that of the government towards the university where he conveyed his appreciation to all staff for their hard work and dedication.

I would like to congratulate you and the UniSey team for the amazing work you are doing. I have no doubt that you will continue to work hard to bring the University of Seychelles to greater heights. Today, I would like to reiterate the support of the Government to the University in ensuring capacity building remains a priority for our nation, said the President.

The discussion centred on the role of the university in the country and how it can undergo greater transformation in offering more programmes based on the needs of the country as well as venture in research, innovation and technology.

In an interview with the local press, on behalf of the UniSey Council and staff of the University, Miss Perreau expressed her gratitude to have been granted an audience with the President, where she shared with the Head of State how the University can further support Seychelles to develop its people intellectually, professionally and engage in practical research for the betterment particularly in the decision-making process in all sectors.

See original here:

President receives the newly appointed Unisey Vice-Chancellor - Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles

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Air Seychelles would be ahead of schedule on transformation plan if 2020 was a normal year: CEO | CAPA - CAPA - Centre for Aviation

(CNN) There are few places in the world as beautiful, or as vulnerable as the Outer Islands of Seychelles.

While the archipelago in the western Indian Ocean is made up of 115 islands, its 72 Outer Islands are undoubtedly its most remote and preserved locations.

Situated at distances ranging from 60 minutes to two and half hours away from the main island of Mah, the islands and atolls feature an abundance of marine life, pristine coastline and exotic birdlife.

Among them are UNESCO World Heritage site Aldabra, home to the largest giant tortoise population in the world, Alphonse, the first Seychelles island to become reliant on solar power and the uninhabited Cosmoledo, known for its spectacularly pristine coral reefs.

"The most unique thing about the Outer Islands is they've been frozen in time," environmentalist Keith Rose-Innes tells CNN Travel. "These islands are so inaccessible by humans and so far out that they've been left alone.

"The coral's still intact, because the atolls have very sharp drop offs and the cool water circles around them. So there's very little coral bleaching.

"The biomass of fish underneath the sea is incredible. At times if you swim 10 meters apart you can't see each other because there's so many fish. So it is really an amazing place. There's been very little human pressure over the years."

Under threat

Alphonse Atoll is one of the best preserved locations in the Outer Islands of the Seychelles.

Fiona Ayerst

But while the Outer Islands have been spared some of the "human pressure" problems faced by destinations such as Thailand, they, along with the rest of the Seychelles, are under threat nonetheless.

At present, the most significant dangers to the islands are plastic pollution, overfishing and climate change.

The money has been channeled into projects aimed at protecting marine life and tackling the impact of climate change and promised to make 30% of its national waters protected areas by the close of 2020.

After spending many years exploring the Outer Islands as a fly-fisherman, Rose-Innes says he's witnessed the effects first hand.

"Climate change is a big issue," he says. "I can see it [the difference]. For instance, we get bigger storms. The island of Farquhar experienced the most vicious cyclone ever recorded in the Indian Ocean in 2016.

"And an increase of one degree in sea temperature will mean 80% of our coral will die. Now is the time to protect these places, and use them in the right way so they can stay around for longer."

Protecting paradise

Alphonse has recorded more than 130 species of bird.

Anthony Grote

He's turned his attention to conservation in recent years as a way of "giving back" after becoming concerned about the future of the Outer Islands.

"I was known as the 'fly fisherman,'" he says. "That was my passion. But when you're walking around the islands or sitting in the boat, you're noticing all of the amazing things these atolls have to offer.

"I thought 'how do we create enough revenue to protect these places? How do we reduce the amount of fly fishing we do? The only way to do that was through ecotourism."

Blue Safari offers a number of activities and programs, such snorkeling with and photographing manta rays, birdwatching walks, turtle patrols, scuba diving, tree planting, beach cleanups, and a scuba diving excursion to collect debris from the ocean.

The accommodation available includes lodges, eco-camps, as well as eco-pods made from shipping containers.

"Every year we've seen amazing growth and more people coming," he says. "It's important to allow people to experience and see these amazing places," he adds. "This also opens up the possibility of raising funds."

While the Islands Development Company (IDC) manages 13 of the 72 Outer Islands, Blue Safari looks after four of these -- Alphonse, Astove, Cosmoledo and Farquhar.

Travelers who visit any of the islands are required to pay a $25 a day conservation charge, which is donated to its designated foundation and put towards ecological and environmental programs and initiatives.

While those who take part in the activities provided by Blue Safari are offered a unique insight into the Outer Islands through unique experiences, Rose-Innes says he and his team of over 150 also gain a lot from meeting travelers and educating them on the work that's being done.

Plastic problem

The uninhabited Cosmoledo atoll is the furthest from the mainland Mah island.

Blue Safari Seychelles

"It's an incredible opportunity," he says. "There aren't many places around the world where you're able to interact with guests, show them what you're doing and tell them how they can make a positive impact by coming on holiday."

Beach clean-ups are perhaps one of the most essential activities that visitors can take part in, if not the most thrilling.

Tons of plastic, mainly from ships, regularly washes up on the beaches of the Outer Islands and the amount is increasing every year according to Rose-Innes.

"We are picking up tons of plastic, especially after better weather on the beaches," he says. "So that's obviously quite a concerning thing."

Interestingly, flip flop sandals are among the most common plastic items that end up in the Outer Islands, along with water bottles.

"One or two of our islands get quite a big build of flip flops," Rose-Innes explains. "Funnily enough, it's mostly left side flip flops. I think it's like 10 to one left versus right."

However, Rose-Innes is hopeful that the global movement towards reducing plastic packaging will eventually reduce the amount of plastic that finds its way over to the islands.

Although the Seychelles is still seen as a far-flung beach destination by many travelers, the popularity of destinations such as Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands and Kenya has proven that there's still a huge market for these types of trips.

"Ecotourism is very important because it raises awareness for the environment," says Rose-Innes.

"If you have a guest that comes out and we take them on a beach clean-up where we pick up plastic, it's very easy for them to take that back to where they come from.

"And maybe next time there'll think twice about buying a plastic bag."

Safeguarding the future

The Blue Safari team lead a number of activities, such as beach cleanups and bird watching walks.

Melissa V.d Walt

Meanwhile, the debt-for-conservation deal has proved successful so far.

Last March, Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan announced the nation had followed through on its pledge to protect 410,000 square kilometers of its waters, an area around the size of Germany.

"By protecting these large areas we are not only safeguarding our marine environment but balancing economic growth through the management of the resources that the sea provides."

While its economy is highly dependent on the ocean and marine resources, tourism also plays a big part and numbers have been down significantly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Officials aim to vaccinate over 70% of its estimated 98,000 population by mid-March, which would make the Seychelles the first nation to vaccinate its entire population and allow restrictions to be relaxed further.

"It is really important to put in place the right protocols as tourists still want to come and spend a holiday in Seychelles."

Rose-Innes shares this sentiment, but is confident that things will improve in the coming months.

"We're hoping that by around April we'll be back to some sort of normality with regards to guests coming to the islands," he says.

"But at the moment it's very quiet. And the less people that come to the islands, the less funding we're able to raise.

"The most important thing travelers can do to support conservation is to come out and see us."

More:

How travelers help to protect the Outer Islands of the Seychelles - CNN

The coronavirus vaccine is offering up new hope for travellers, as a number of countries have revealed that they will welcome vaccinated tourists, and even exempt them from quarantine and Covid-19 testing.

Iceland, Cyprus and the Seychelles are just some of the countries whose authorities have unveiled plans to welcome back vaccinated travellers, although there is some criteria to meet.

Currently of course it is illegal for Brits to travel abroad for holidays, and the government is cracking down on rule-breakers including requiring people to provide a valid reason for travel or risk being turned away at the airport, or even being fined.

At the time of writing, a number of destinations haven't included Brits in the list of travellers they will be welcoming back, for a mixture of reasons spanning fears of a mutant coronavirus strain in the UK, to only welcoming back EU members in an initial wave.

Still, the news that vaccinated travellers will be welcome back do offer a glimmer of hope, especially for future travels when restrictions are eventually relaxed.

We take a look at the countries who've said they will welcome back vaccinated travellers - and whether Brits are included in the list.

Iceland has announced that it won't require travellers to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 .

Current rules mean all arrivals must undergo a PCR test upon arrival followed by a 5-6 day quarantine, and then a second screening. However, the new policy means travellers with a Covid vaccination certificate won't need to undergo screenings or self-isolation .

Are Brits on the list? Not for the initial stage. Iceland is only accepting vaccine certificates that meet certain criteria including being issued in an EEA/EFTA state. As the UK has left the EU, it doesn't qualify. However, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland told the Mirror that "as soon as the UK vaccine certificates are validated by the WHO, we will be looking at whether we can accept them at our borders".

The Seychelles' tourism authorities announced earlier this year that "with immediate effect, Seychelles will be welcoming vaccinated visitors from any part of the world".

Anyone who receives the vaccination will need to wait for two weeks after receiving their second dose before they will be allowed to head to the island.

There will still be entry requirements for vaccinated visitors; you'll need to prove you've had two doses of the official vaccines, and you'll still need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test result, taken up to 72 hours before departure.

Borders will remain closed to visitors who haven't been vaccinated, or who aren't travelling from the list of approved countries.

Are Brits on the list? At the time of writing, the Seychelles has closed its borders to anyone travelling from the UK.

Estonia has revealed that from February 1, Brits who have received the Covid-19 vaccination will no longer be required to isolate for 10 days or undergo Covid-19 tests.

The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the news in January. There will be some criteria that needs to be met though - for example, no more than six months have passed since receiving the complete vaccine.

Are Brits on the list? Yes - Brits who have received the vaccine won't need to isolate or undergo testing. You can find out more in the Foreign Office's Estonia travel advice.

Cyprus is looking to introduce a new policy where vaccinated travellers will not need to undergo current testing and quarantine rules.

Cyprus Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos revealed the plan to the Cyprus Mail. He said: "The amended action plan is expected to further boost the interest of airline companies to carry out additional flights to Cyprus, improve connectivity and increase passenger traffic."

Travellers who are not vaccinated will still need to meet Cyprus' entry requirements.

Are Brits on the list? Cyprus will continue to determine entry for travellers based on the country they're travelling from - and at the time of writing, the UK is not on this list. You can get full information on these in the Foreign Office's Cyprus travel advice.

Romania has announced that travellers who have been vaccinated against coronavirus will be exempt from measures such as quarantine.

You'll need to have received both doses of the vaccine, and arrived in Romania more than 10 days after the second dose, to qualify for the exemption.

Are Brits on the list? According to the Foreign Office, UK nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals resident in the UK are not permitted to enter Romania for non-essential purposes, due to EU-wide COVID-19 restrictions in place for third country nationals.

Read more:

Countries that will accept vaccinated travellers including Cyprus and Iceland - Mirror Online

Seychelles has a reputation for tropical resort getaways, languorous days on the beach, colourful coral reefs and plenty of rare nature and lush forests. Its not just a reputation though: its 100% true.

What you dont hear much about is how sketchy this collection of islands can be. Though it might seem like a bit of a serene paradise, theres much more going on under the surface and the crime rate, of robberies, break-ins, and other petty crimes, is increasing.

Thats not just in general, but against tourists too. We decided to look into this and create this epic insiders guide into staying safe in Seychelles. It may be paradise, but problems exist even in paradise.

In it, youll find information from whether its safe to drive in these islands, to whether or not its safe to eat the local food, and even a few pointers for people who might think of living in Seychelles.

You may be a solo female traveller wondering if youll be safe here, or you may simply be asking the question: is the Seychelles safe for families? Whatever it is, our Seychelles safety guide has got you covered!

As a group of adventurers, enthusiasts and fearless travellers, it pains us to tell you this, but the fact is that most travel is currently not safe, and in many countries, not possible because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Nations across the world are fighting to contain the outbreak and flatten the infection curve an effort that every citizen and responsible traveller should be part of.

For the most up-to-date safety information and what you should be doing to help, please consult theWHOand your local government.

How Safe is Seychelles?(Our take)

Seychelles is an island nation thats pretty much a paradise of palm-fringed beaches. Cue visiting hordes of honeymooners, jet setting celebrities, as well as some independent travellers and East Africa backpackers.

That aint to say theres no trouble in paradise. In fact, there is. Violent crime, although not common, happens. So does petty theft (more common).

The weather, and nature in general, isnt always so great. In fact, it can be pretty dangerous: strong winds, downpours, monsoon season, riptides its all here.

Is Seychelles Safe to Visit? (The facts.)

Seychelles tourism has been on the rise since it got its international airportin the 1970s. The old P&O steamship on the way to India used to stop here, so its always been a known destination especially for those British colonials.

Tourism is by far one of the most important parts of the Seychelles economy, employing over 15% of the workforce on the islands and making up around 50% of its GDP.

Visitor numbers justkeep going up. They reached an all-time high in April 2019 with a total of 37,103 just in one month. So its safe to say that tourists arent exactly put off by any rumours of crime and, of course, the Seychelles government is looking out for tourists, too. But thats easily understood if you look at the incredible places in Seychelles its like stepping into paradise!

With one of the highest discrepancies between rich and poor in the world, its expected crime takes place on the islands. But nobody seems to know exact numbers; its dubious as to how trustworthy the official numbers would be, anyway.

Robberies and break-ins do happen, however.Opportunist theftoccurs and is usually non-violent. Basically, its safe to visit Seychelles as long as you dont create those opportunities for petty crime in the first place.

Is it Safe to Visit Seychelles Right Now?

In recent years the Seychelles has undergone something of a change. Previously under the control of France-Albert Ren from 1977 to 2004, Seychelles is now moving in a more democratic direction.

Presidential elections take place, which is always a good thing. With democracy comes protests, mainly peaceful. This has been happening recently, calling for new presidential elections.

There has been an increase in break-ins and robberies, specifically against expats and tourists. These range from bag-snatchings and car break-ins, to muggings usually of tourists whilst walking late at night. Our verdict? Avoidable. (We have some great tips coming up for you regarding all that!)

Another interesting but pretty scary prospect is the presence of Somali pirates. Piracy has been known to take place within hundreds of miles of the island. Not greatly important but good to be aware of it if youre into your yachts or fishing.

Nature-wise now. Nasty insects, particularly mosquitoes; strong currents and unpredictable waves; the sun and getting overheated; monsoon season. Its got two monsoons, both the Southeast (May to September) and Northeast (November to March), which means practically all year round.

However, wed say theres nothing pressing at the moment thatll keep you away; its pretty much safe to visit Seychelles right now.

Do you need Travel Insurance for your trip? Even if youre only going for a few days, thats more than enough time to get smote by wrathful angels. Have fun in Seychelles, but take it from us, overseas medical care and canceled flights can be seriously expensive insurance can, therefore, be a life-saver.

Travel mishaps can and do happen and it is well worth thinking about insurance before you leave home.

We have used World Nomads for years now and I have personally made several claims. Why not get a quote from them yourself?

Do be sure to read the terms and conditions to make sure that the policy covers your needs.

Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and youre on your way!

If you want to shop around a little, then read up on competing companies and what they can offer. There are lots of insurances out there, so dont feel limited.

Seychelles is all about its beaches and clear waters a sun, sea and sand getaway if there ever was one. That said, its not a theme park there are things to look out for here. With the rise in petty crime against tourists, you really dont want to be an unsuspecting tourist here. Weve compiled a few tips to help you travel smart on your trip to Seychelles.

So there you have it. Not only are there humans to be aware of in Seychelles,but mother nature, too! Its not exactly a warzone or an inhospitable place though its more that you need to be aware of the risks and avoid them. The sort of crime thats likely to take place on Seychelles is easily avoidable if you travel smart, and only you will put yourself into trouble with the sea or hike-able terrain here!

Keeping your money safe in Seychelles

Probably one of the most common annoyances that could happen to pretty much any independent traveller or backpacker, as theyre travelling the world, is losing money. It can honestly cut a trip short.

In Seychelles, theres a little bit of worry about being robbed or having stuff stolen. But we know a simple trick to make sure youve always got a little bit of cash to fall back on whatever happens. And thats a money belt.

Money belts are a very simple, very effective way to keep your money safe wherever you are in the world. You stop stuff getting stolen from you if youve got nothing to steal!

Theres a ton of choice, of course, but our favourite, hands-down, has got to be the Active Roots Security Belt.

We definitely recommend this one. Its super simple for one thing, which we absolutely love, and on top of it, it looks like a belt, with a zip pocket for your cash. There arent loads of pockets to contend with, uncomfortable strap systems, places where the compartments are going to show up under your shirt really obviously. You can read our in-depth review here.

Stash some cash and be thankful for it if the worst happens!

If you need a little more room for your passport and other travel valuables, have a look at afull-size money beltthat tucks under your clothes instead.

If neither of those options appeals to your refined fashion sense, dont compromise! Opt for aninfinity scarfwith a hidden zipper pocket.

Youre thinking of going to Seychelles alone? Thats great, solo travel is awesome. Its a great way to challenge yourself and actually better yourself as a person. Not only that but its a great excuse to be selfish and do what you want exactly when you want.

However, its not always awesome. It can get boring being by yourself, you can start to feel isolated and get more than a little bit out of touch with reality. Not to worry, though. To keep you safe and sound, whilst having a great time, here are our best tips for solo travellers.

When it comes to solo travel in Seychelles, the most important thing like travelling alone anywhere in the world is to not put yourself in danger. With no one else to look out for you, therell be no one to tell you if what youre about to do seems like a bad idea. Plus youll be more of a target by yourself in some areas. So keep our tips in mind, take it easy, and use your common sense!

Be prepared for what life throws at you on the road. Pick up an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure.

Is Seychelles safe for solo female travellers?

You might think Seychelles is going to be super expensive, and mainly for couples, not backpackers or solo travellers. But that doesnt have to be the case. In fact, were going to say Seychelles and its paradise beaches are perfectly safe for you solo female travellers.

You dont need a boyfriend or a partner. You just need yourself and some common sense. Of course, the island as weve said already isnt always the paradise youd like it to be, so here are some tips to help solo female travellers make their Seychelles trip go smoothly.

Dont lose your money to a pickpocket!

There are tons of ways to store valuables and goods while traveling but a travel scarf has to be the least obtrusive and the most classy.

TheActive Roots Zipper Scarfis your run-of-the-mill infinity scarf but with a hidden pocket thats big and sturdy enough for a nights cash, your phone, a passport and (hell with it) some snacks too!

Yes, Seychelles is a very beautiful place, but it canbe a little bit dangerous too. So make sure to keep our tips for solo female travellers in mind when you make your way to this part of the world. Most of the time, its going to be aboutnot jeopardising your own safety.

As opposed to males, females might find themselves having a more comfortable and less anxious time at a resort or some other accommodation where other people are staying. This isnt the sort of place where isolation is nice, or even safe, so theres that to consider.

We recommend getting in touch with some like-minded female travellers. Things like Facebook group Girls LOVE Travelare great places to meet other ladies who may even be in Seychelles the same time as you, or who can offer their own advice. Were all for it.

Is Seychelles safe to travel for families?

Of course, Seychelles is safe for families! You and your children are going to have an awesome time in this island paradise. Youre honestly in for a family dream holiday.

Though you may think of Seychelles as an adults-only place with exclusive resorts and couples everywhere, and to some extent it is, there are plenty of family-friendly places to stay on the island.

Most of the time, youre going to be absolutely safe. Chances are youll be staying in a resort, which is the safest thing you could do. The only thing we would say is to keep your doors and windows locked just in case. Once again, better to be safe than sorry.

Most hotels offer babysitting services and kids clubs. Theres even stuff thats going to keep teenagers (just about) entertained.

Finding food and products for babies, like nappies and medication, can be tricky outside the capital ofVictoria, so pack enough supplies.

Probably the most unsafe thing about Seychelles, for a family visit anyway, is its beaches, notably the currents. These can be seriously strong and even confident swimmers will struggle, meaning they are extra dangerous for children. Keep an eye on your little ones at all times as lifeguards arent exactly par for the course in Seychelles.

However, the best thing about the beaches is that the water is often shallow till far out, which makes it perfect for a paddle.

The sun and the heat can get to children and they can feel the effects worse than adults sometimes. So sunhats at the ready, plenty of sunscreens, drinking water, and make sure theyre in the shade when the suns at its hottest. Daytime temperatures are around 30 degrees C, pretty much all year round. The shade isnt common on the beaches in Seychelles. Getting shade under a coconut tree can be super dangerous, however, as coconuts can literally fall without warning and those things are deadly.

Also, mosquitoes can carry the chikungunya virus. Cover your children up at dusk from these nasty critters, use repellent with DEET in it, and burn coils in your room.

Other than that, youll be completely fine in Seychelles. Its been a resort destination for couples and families for a long time now!

Is it safe to drive in Seychelles?

Driving in Seychelles is actually a very convenient way to get around. Its only available on the island of MahandPraslin, however.

Surprisingly, a lot of people choose to rent a car when theyre in Seychelles to get around. Its not like driving in a busy city and its fairly safe.However, there is obviously something to watch out for since it wont be the normal sort of driving that youre used to.

Speed limits are low (in general, 25 to 40mph) and theres not a lot of traffic, so theres not a lot to stress you out.

However, on Mahthe roads can be quite mountainous, narrow and winding, with hairpin bends not all of them with safety barriers either. Take care of these sorts of roads and go slow.

There is one big ring road that runs aroundMah,which is pretty good for practising; near Victoria, theres a dual-carriageway to get to grips with.

OnPraslin, the roads are sealed for the most part and often easier to drive than their counterparts on the mountainous Mah.There is one good mountain road on Praslin,which is pretty straightforward to drive on.

When it comes to actual car hire do know that a lot of the cars on offer arent in great shape, so make sure you arm yourself with solid rental car insurance. Even so, you should be booking way ahead of time since a lot of people will want to hire them.

Theres one big hazard: drink-driving locals. If someone is driving erratically and veering all over the road, or going too slow even, give them space and keep well away.

Locals will probably overtake you, so will buses. Stay calm and in control and let them do their thing, and dont do like them.

Its probably not worth driving after dark, so make sure you plan well enough so that youre back at your accommodation before the sun starts going down. And keep an eye on the weather, too: it can make some roadspretty scary.

When it does come to parking, dont leave any valuables on display, take everything out. Anything, even a map, will show potential thieves this is a tourists car and tourists will probably have something else to steal in there.

That said, driving in Seychelles is pretty safe and tonsof people do it. You wont be able to get to half the amazing beaches on the island without your own wheels. So if youre up for an adventure, theres a whole lot of amazing coastline to explore in Seychelles.

Is Uber safe in Seychelles?

There isnt any Uber in Seychelles.

Youll have to rely on local taxis, which are a whole other story

Sleep safe! Choose yourhotel,hostelorAirbnbahead of time so youre not last-minute booking a less-secure place.

Read ourNeighborhood Guidefor our favorite accommodations in Seychelles by area.

Are taxis safe in Seychelles?

Taxis are another option for exploring the islands aside from self-driving especially if you dont drive, or youre not keen on driving.

There isnt one official taxi company in Seychelles. Its more of a collection of independent drivers and a few companies that are more geared towards tours.

Taxis, however, are available only on the islands of Mah, PraslinandLa Digue.

Theyre generally convenient and taxi drivers are generally friendly, and most likely will be up for a chat. Theyll probably be able to give you a bit of knowledge about the islands as they drive you around if you ask, that is.

When it comes to hailing taxis, youll most likely be able to do this only around Victoria so if you stumble across a driver you like, take note of their phone number or take a business card. You might be able to use them at a later date for a tour or general transport.

The taxis themselves (we mean the cars) are of a fairly good standard. However, if youre not happy about the state of the vehicle youre about to hop into, its ok to refuse and wait for another taxi to come along. Alternatively, you can have your accommodation call you a reputable tourist taxi with good reviews;no doubt they will have one to recommend you should use.

Taxis in Seychelles dont usually have meters. Youll have to agree on a fare before you set off on a journey. Its typically around 19 SCR (Seychellois rupees) for the first kilometre, then 6 SCR for each subsequent kilometre.

To sum up, taxis are generally safe in Seychelles. Theyre free from hassle and awkward negotiations for the most part. If you do have to haggle, make sure you read our guide on how to haggle like a pro!

Is public transportation in Seychelles safe?

Public transport in Seychelles isnt non-existent, though its also not very comprehensive, either.

Buses are the main mode of public transport and theyre pretty affordable. They also dont run much longer after dark, either.

On Mah,theres a relatively extensive bus service. You can see where the bus is going because the destination is marked on the front of the bus.

Bus stops are easy to spot because they have a) signs and b) shelters and are c) marked on the road surface, too.

If you go to the capital ofVictoriatheres abus terminuswhere you can pick up a timetable for bus routes around the island, which is a handy thing to have take it from us.

Read this article:

Is Seychelles Safe? (2021 Safety Guide)

Seychelles is reopening its borders to visitors who have received the COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to jumpstart tourism this year.

Seychelles' updated travel guidelines were announced shortly after the archipelagic country unveiled its "immunization campaign," which includes vaccinating almost 70% of local adults by mid-March. It's the first country in Africa to roll out a vaccination program and hopes to become the first country in the world to vaccinate the majority of its adult population, according to a news release from January 11.

On the heels of this mass vaccination announcement, Seychelles' updated its travel protocols to now welcome travelers who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In order to visit, the vaccinated travelers must wait two weeks after receiving the last dose and are required to provide proof of the vaccination from their home country's health authorities.

However, visitors with the vaccine are still required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of boarding the flight.

For those who aren't yet vaccinated, visitors flying in from Seychelles' list of permitted category one and two countries or travelers taking a private jet will have to show a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before traveling.

If you're a visitor who isn't taking a private jet or coming in from one of the approved countries, you'll have to wait a bit longer until the majority of adults in Seychelles are vaccinated. By then, mid-March as projected, the country will allow all travelers to enter, so long as they've tested negative within 72 hours.

Read more: The CEO of Dubai Duty Free, the largest airport retail operation in the world, expects business to return to normal by 2023

On November 23, the US issued a Level Two advisory for Seychelles, telling travelers to "exercise increased caution." However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the Seychelle under its highest Level Four category for COVID-19 and recommends avoiding travel to the country.

Inversely, the US is not mentioned under Seychelles' category one or two lists of approved countries, which means the country is not currently accepting US visitors.

Presently, many countries officially including the US on Tuesday are allowing international travelers from select countries to enter so long as they've presented a negative COVID-19 test result. Looking ahead, Seychelles' decision to allow vaccinated travelers could be one of many as talks of "vaccine passports" for global travelers continue around the world.

Several countries around the world have been looking for innovative ways to safely bring back tourists in 2021 after international travel was put on hold throughout 2020. Bermuda, for example, is asking travelers to present a negative PCR coronavirus test within five days of arriving on the island.

Other countries have taken a different approach by enticing business and work-related travelers. For example, tropical hotspots like Aruba have set up programs intended reel in the "work from anywhere" crowd, while Singapore is currently creating a luxury "four-star" bubble hotelspecifically for business travel.

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Seychelles welcoming back travelers with the COVID-19 vaccine - Business Insider - Business Insider

Seychelles is reopening its borders to visitors who have received the COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to jumpstart tourism this year.

Seychelles' updated travel guidelines were announced shortly after the archipelagic country unveiled its "immunization campaign," which includes vaccinating almost 70% of local adults by mid-March. It's the first country in Africa to roll out a vaccination program and hopes to become the first country in the world to vaccinate the majority of its adult population, according to a news release from January 11.

For those who aren't yet vaccinated, visitors flying in from Seychelles' list of permitted category one and two countries - or travelers taking a private jet - will have to show a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before traveling.

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Presently, many countries - officially including the US on Tuesday - are allowing international travelers from select countries to enter so long as they've presented a negative COVID-19 test result. Looking ahead, Seychelles' decision to allow vaccinated travelers could be one of many as talks of "vaccine passports" for global travelers continue around the world.

Several countries around the world have been looking for innovative ways to safely bring back tourists in 2021 after international travel was put on hold throughout 2020. Bermuda, for example, is asking travelers to present a negative PCR coronavirus test within five days of arriving on the island.

Are you a travel industry employee or have a travel industry story to share? Contact this reporter at bchang@insider.com.

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Tourist hotspot Seychelles is welcoming back US travelers - but only those with the COVID-19 vaccine - Business Insider India

About 65 per cent of the Seychelles' economy is derived from tourism.Photo: iStock

The Seychelles and Romaniahavereopened to visitors from anywhere in the world who have received two doses of an authorised vaccine for COVID-19.

Iceland also plans to waive quarantine rules for visitors with an international vaccine certificate (it already does so for travellers who can prove they previously had the virus). The country isdue to finalise a system for Icelanders who have beenfully vaccinated to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

Theannouncementfrom the Seychelles followedthe start of itsvaccination roll-out:it plans to become the first countryto immunise more than 70 per cent of its population over 18. "From there we will be able to declare Seychelles as being COVID safe,"said President of the Republic of Seychelles, H E Wavel Ramkalawan.

International visitorsare vital to the economy of the Seychelles.The contribution of travel and tourism to the Seychelles' GDP is around65 per cent.

Indeed, Romania has also cited economic reasons for opening up to vaccinated visitors. The country'sNational Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU) said that people coming from countries or areas of high risk, or who have come into direct contact with someone who's tested positive forCOVID, are exempt from quarantine measures if they are fully vaccinated. The CNSU said this decision was reached based on adownward trend in infections in Romania. It added that there is a"need to create the necessary socio-economic conditions"to benefit the national economy.

In December, Cyprus also announced a plan to waive testing requirements for arrivals who have been vaccinated, making it the first destination to specify that immunised travellers will not need to meet other COVID-related entry rules. However, the country's ministry of health is yet to confirm if this will go ahead, as planned, in March.

Other countries have also made steps towards allowing unrestricted, or less restricted, entry to those inoculated against the virus. European Union membersare lobbying for a "vaccination passport" and Brussels has givententative backingto the idea.Other nations, such as Israel, have firm plans to launch one.

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Meanwhile, holiday firmSagahas said that its customers will need to prove they have been inoculated against the virus to travel with the company.

It should be noted that no approved COVID-19 vaccine has yet been shown toprevent transmission of the virus.

But which countries might be among the next to re-open to immunised tourists? Based on vaccination roll-outs, economic dependence on tourism and support for vaccine passports, these could be in the running:

Tourists walk around the Parthenonat the Acropolis in Athens last year.Photo: AP

EU countries should adopt a "standardised"vaccination certificate in order to boost travel,Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis saidin a letter to European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, which was released by his office on January 12.

Mr Mitsotakis said people who have been vaccinated should be free to travel.

"It is urgent to adopt a common understanding on how a vaccination certificate should be structured so as to be accepted in all member states," he said, calling for a "standardised certificate, which will prove that a person has been successfully vaccinated".

Greece is quite far down the worldwide leader board of vaccine roll-outs with just 1.7doses delivered per 100 people.

However, mainland Greece and its islands, which remained one of a limited number of quarantine-free destinations for Britons for much of last summer, rely heavily on tourism: the contribution to its GDP is around 21.5 per cent.

The United Arab Emirates is at second place in the worldwide race to immunise populations; 25.9COVID jabs have been administered per 100 people.

Meanwhile, the UAE has licence for the Sinopharm vaccine, which it can produce itself rather than importing it. It has begun to donate doses to other, less developed countries: 50,000 were delivered to the Seychelles.

Dubai specifically was keen to welcome back tourists in 2020, opening up in July and allowing entry with a short quarantine and negative COVID test. This has since been changed to a negative COVID test taken no more than 96 hours before departure for UK travellers. The contribution of travel and tourism to the UAE's economy is 10 per cent.

Most recently, a UAE airline has launched a vaccine passport. In partnership with the International Air Transport Association, Emirates is one of the first airlines worldwide to trail the IATA Travel Pass, which comes in the form of a mobile app.

The pass will allow passengers to create a digital passport to verify their pre-travel COVID test or vaccination meets the requirements of their destination. It will also be used to share test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines. Emirates plans to start the first phase of this trial in Dubai, from April; customers travelling to Dubai will be able to share their COVID-19 test results with the airline prior to arriving at the airport.

Israel has been praisedfor launching what is, to date, the world's fastest vaccination programme. Some 44.8doses have been deployed per 100 people. This puts Israel's immunisation roll-out far ahead of that of the United Arab Emirates, which is currently second in the vaccine league table. Israel's health ministry aims to see 5.2 million of its eight million citizens vaccinated by March.

Last week, the ministry announced a "green booklet" as a form of vaccination certification. This document, effectively an immunity passport, will be given out to people who have received both doses. The country is mulling two forms of this booklet, effectively avaccine passport, one which will be valid for the 72 hours following a negative COVID test result and another which would be permanent for those who have received the first dose of the vaccine.

The ministry website says that those in possession of this document would be "eligible for relaxed restrictions in destinations around the world". For the moment though, Israel's borders are closed. The government announced on Sunday the country's only major airport would close for at least a week, effectively sealing itself off from international travel in a bid to vaccinate more of its population before new variants of the coronavirus take hold here.

Border restrictions for visitors is not so major an economic blow as for some countries on this list: in Israel, travel and tourism's contribution to GDP is around 6 per cent.

The Royal Palace in Madrid, normally crowded with tourists, is empty in August last year.Photo: AP

Another tourism-dependent country, Spain is among the EU members backing plans for a vaccine certificate.

According to Online newspaper El Diario, Spanish government sources said: "there must be an agreement on a mutual recognition mechanism because it is urgent to consolidate levels of mobility, which have an impact on the economy in general, not just tourism".

Last month, health minister Salvador Illa said Spain would create a vaccination registry that would track people who refuse a COVID-19 vaccine, which would create a document that could be shared with other countries in Europe.

"What we will have is a registry, that will also be shared with our European partners of those who have been offered it and rejected it," Illa told the broadcaster La Sexta. "The document will not be made public and it will be done with the utmost respect for the legislation on data protection."

Spain has so far delivered 2.6vaccine doses per 100 people, putting it on par, or ahead of, most other EU countries.

However, after its summer tourist numbers were ravaged in 2020, Spain's travel industry will be keen to find a route around the current complex testing and quarantine rules. Last week,Reyes Maroto, Spain's ministerof industry, trade and tourism, said in a statement onJanuary 22: "Our priority in 2021 is to reactivate tourism and resume safe mobility on a global scale as soon as possible. We are working to adopt a common framework of a series of planned actions to give confidence to tourists.

"We hope that at the end of spring and especially during the summer, international travel will resume and travellers will choose Spain as their destination."

The UK is Spain's largest single visitor group, and in summer 2020 there were just three weeks when Britons could visit all of Spain without facing quarantine on return. The country garners around 15 per cent of its GDP from tourism.

In October, Estonia signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop a digital immunisation certificate that would enable cross-border exchange of vaccination information. The Estonian Prime Minister Jri Ratas said on Twitter that he had invited Finland to take part in the scheme. Estonia has, thus far, administered 1.9 jabs per 100 people.

However, it is not clear that this trial is a precursor to a vaccine passport that could reopen international travel. In a meeting on January 14, the WHO committee said: "Being vaccinated should not exempt international travellers from complying with other travel risk reduction measures."

Denmark has said it will look at the development of a vaccine certificate in order to ease restrictions on travel and freedom of movement. It has delivered 3.6 doses of vaccine per 100 people.

Poland, where travel and tourism contributes around 4.5 per cent to GDP, recently announced the introduction of vaccine passports. The country's deputy health minister Anna Goawska said Polish nationals would be able to access certification in the form of a downloadable QR code once they received the second dose of a coronavirus vaccine. The code would allow the recipient to "use the rights to which vaccinated people are entitled". Thus far, Poland has administered 1.3 doses of the vaccine per 100 people.

Hungary's government said it could require visitors to prove their vaccination status to gain access to the country via an app showing immunity to COVID-19. "The need for citizens to provide proof that they have gained protection against the coronavirus is increasing all over the world," a government spokesperson said. In Hungary, 1.6doses of vaccine have been administered per 100 people. The country's foreign minister Pter Szijjrt has criticized the European Commission for "appallingly slow vaccine procedures".

He said: "In the wake of Brussels's pledges at the end of last year and at the beginning of 2021 it was expected that the EU would start vaccination with enormous speed, and restrictions in member countries could be eased it has not happened out of the EC's fault."Tourism contributes around 8.5 percent to Hungary's GDP.

While Belgium has administered 1.5doses per 100 people, the country's government said it supports a "verifiable COVID-19 vaccination certificate"that would be recognised across the EU, or even globally.

That said, the country's own regulator has advised against a vaccination database. It said that the given purpose for storing such data and how it would be shared are vague, and that authorities would hold onto the data for too long. The regulator said such a database "undoubtedly constitutes considerable interference in the right to protection of personal data." This echoed the EU's data protection chief Wojciech Wiewirowski who in 2020 said the idea of an immunity passport was "extreme".

The Telegraph, London

See also:Australia among world's top 10 countries worst-hit by drop in tourists

See also:Why the COVID-19 vaccine won't be like other travel vaccines

Emma Featherstone

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COVID-19 vaccines and travel: The countries opening borders to vaccinated tourists - Traveller

Linda Ramkalawan was born on Mah, the principal island of Seychelles, where she grew up in Bel Ombre. She is married to President Wavel Ramkalawan and mother of three boys: Samuel, Caleb and Amos.

Mrs Ramkalawan has had a long and successful career in the tourism industry. She joined Le Meridien Fishermans Cove hotel straight after completing her studies in 1980, occupying the post of receptionist. She later moved to the accounts department and occupied different positions in accounts over the years. In 2001, she was appointed Financial Controller and a few years later as the Finance Director.

Le Meridien Fishermans Cove was part of the Starwood hotels and resorts, an American hotel and Leisure Company based in Connecticut in the US, and Mrs Ramkalawan won the Starwood President Award twice during the course of her career with them. The Starwood President Award is an annual award the company bestows upon members in recognition of their passion for their work and their commitment to their employees. In late 2019, after almost 40 years at Le Meridien Fishermans Cove hotel (now part of the Marriott International) Mrs Ramkalawan retired.

On 26th October 2020, Mr. Linda Ramkalawan became the First Lady of the President of the Republic of Seychelles.

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First Lady - Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles

Seychelles this month became the first nation to welcome vaccinated travelers from all over the world, sparking excitement among international travelers.

But there are reasons some travelers even vaccinated ones may want to wait.

Throughout 2020, Seychelles reported enviably low Covid-19 infection rates. Except for a small spike in June, the beautiful country in the Indian Ocean typically registered zero cases most days last year.

Then Christmas arrived.

From Dec. 28, Seychelles started recording double-digit daily infections. To date, it has recorded 1,033 Covid-19 cases and three deaths. That number is still low for a country of nearly 100,000 people by comparison, the U.S. had reported nearly 7,500 cumulative Covid cases per 100,000 residents as of Jan. 24.

But over half of Seychelles' infections more than 500 cases have been recorded in the past two weeks. Unlike previous cases, which were largely found among foreign seafarers and visitors, the virus is now circulating among the local population.

After maintaining low infection rates in 2020, Seychelles has seen an uptick in cases this year.

amriphoto | E+ | Getty Images

Despite new restrictive measures, including business closures and travel limitations in late December, cases on the 115-island archipelago have continued to climb.

On Jan. 14, Seychelles announced it was opening to vaccinated travelers from all over the world. Effective immediately, the new policy would not require those with vaccinations to quarantine or take Covid-19 tests upon arrival.

On Jan. 22, the nation registered 210 cases, a new one-day high.

CNBC Global Traveler was unable to reach Seychelles' tourism department for comment. The office closed on Jan. 6 until further notice "in order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus," according to the department's website.

The Seychelles government also announced that anyone who tests negative for Covid-19, vaccinated or not, may be able to enter as early as mid-March. The decision is based on the belief that Seychelles will have vaccinated almost 75% of its adult population by that time.

Seychelles began administering vaccinations to health workers, media personalities and political leaders, including Seychelles' President WavelRamkalawan, this month.

The country wants to be the first country in the world to use vaccinations "to achieve herd immunity," according to a press release issued by the Seychelles' Department of Tourism.

Vaccines are largely expected to help restart international travel this year, but there are unanswered questions that may make relying on them problematic.

Trials have indicated that some Covid vaccines are effective in preventing severe illness, but it's unknown whether they prevent transmission of the coronavirus. That means vaccinated travelers may not get very sick themselves, but they may be able to transmit Covid-19 to others.

Separately, vaccines have varying effectiveness. Separate trials of one vaccine made in China generated sharply conflicting data, authorities in Brazil revealed this month.

Seychelles has indicated plans to use the Moderna vaccine in the future, but the injections it has administered so far are made by a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned conglomerate Sinopharm.

Despite being approved for use in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, some immunologists have expressed concern about a lack of information around the trial results for the vaccine.

In addition, not everyone in Seychelles is eligible to be vaccinated right away. According to Seychelles' Ministry of Health, people who are under 18 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have a history of severe allergies, chronic conditions and suppressed immune systems, should not take the Sinopharm vaccine.

Seychelles is expected to receive hundreds of thousands of vaccines from donations from private investors or countries for what is being called "vaccine diplomacy." The United Arab Emirates donated 50,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine last month. India gave 50,000 doses of its Covishieldvaccine to Seychelles, according to Hindustan Times.

Vaccinated travelers who want to travel to Seychelles must show that they've taken a "complete dose" of a vaccine meaning two doses, if required at least two weeks before arriving, according to a press release from the Seychelles Tourism Board.

Travelers must show an "authentic certificate" of one of "the four vaccines currently receiving heavy media exposure" in addition to a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken less than 72 hours prior to traveling. Only RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test results are accepted.

Vaccinated travelers must also stay in hotels or guesthouses that have been certified for so-called "Category 1" travelers. As of Dec. 30, there are 532 such establishments, including Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Six Senses Zil Pasyon.

Seychelles allows unvaccinated travelers to enter if they arrive via private jet or come from a list of 48 permitted countries. These travelers also have to obtain a negative PCR test result before arriving.

Unvaccinated travelers from "Category 1" countries such as Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam can enter the Seychelles, subject to testing and quarantine requirements.

dibrova | iStock | Getty Images

Like vaccinated travelers, those from "Category 1" countries arriving via commercial flights are required to stay in certified accommodations, but they can't leave the hotel premises for 10 days. Those staying longer than six days are required to take a PCR test.

Travelers from "Category 2" countries are subject to the same requirements but must choose a hotel or guesthouse from a smaller list of approved accommodations. These countries, which Seychelles calls "key source market countries," include Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the UAE.

The U.K. was removed from the "Category 2" list in late December.

It's impossible to know when vaccinated people will feel comfortable traveling, but there are indications some may be ready to venture out again.

Vienna-based travel company TourRadar is seeing an increase in "vaccine vacationers."

"We have received a substantial amount of calls from older individuals telling us that now that they have received their vaccine, they're good to go for travel in July," Vanessa Subramaniam, the company's global director of customer support said.

TourRadar reported that of its 2021 bookings, 52% are from people older than 50, and 30% are over 60 years old.

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One island welcomes all vaccinated travelers but some may want to wait - CNBC