Face a Face; Private Sector Presses Points

Wednesday’s SBC’s “Face a Face” programme turned out to be a lively and thought-provoking debate with brilliant remarks by boat operator Michel Gardette and car hirer and guest house owner Ferley Etienne who felt Seychellois were getting an unfair deal.

A former SPPF Minister said it was the best to date. It was in sharp contrast to the previous programme when Jean-Francois Ferrari of the SNP and Tony Wong, were both outsmarted by government officials Maryse Berlouis and Jude Gedeon.

In the last Face a Face, the major bone of contention was the fact that 5-star hotels, which are largely foreign-owned, are being allowed to have up to three pleasure boats each, thereby snatching business from Seychellois operators.

Mr. Gardette, a former SPPF MNA, noted that this was grossly unfair and moreover in contradiction to the Investment Code, introduced in 2006, which clearly spelt out the areas of tourism business restricted for Seychellois. He noted that the large hotels should be encouraged to work with Seychellois, not compete with them. After all, they are already enjoying all kinds of concessions and perks, including cheaper fuel, reduced GOP fees and other incentives like high foreign exchange retentions.

With a touch of grim humour, Gardette remarked “what if such hotels bring in vessels with the capacity of Cat Cocos?” As Gardette and Etienne hammered home their points and were poised for the kill, Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chairman, Mr. Maurice Lousteau-Lalanne, hoisted the white flag turning meek as a lamb and ultimately conceded without a fight that he is not the only one making those unfair regulations.

Etienne pointed out that large hotels were being allowed to bring in chauffeur-driven cars to compete against local car hirers. This is one chauffeur-driven for every ten rooms. Etienne argued that local operators could not be expected to buy limousines, especially with the new levies. They do not benefit from the tax concessions that the foreign hoteliers do. What we need is more roads not less cars.

He also argued that serious car hirers were already getting a bad deal as other sub-standard ones were being issued with licences.  There are now close to 200 car hirers, 22 on Praslin. Some have just three cars and no mechanics to service the vehicles. STB keeps issuing new guidelines every three months or so.

In the end, both Gardette and Etienne fully deserved a 9 out of 10 rating compared to 5 to Lousteau-Lalanne who turned out to be another Ferrari, except at opposite ends of the spectrum. As for the former Miss Seychelles, Marquise David, her arguments were largely incoherent to most viewers. She showed signs of being sucked into the SPPF way of thinking when she uttered: “nowhere else in the world - Seychelles is unique in proposing a Policy Statement on Integration in Tourism”. She did not stop there she added what is now bible to the SPPF when defending their corner: “It is the same in other countries”, they the SPPF normally throw in this line when they are losing the debate in an attempt to save their sorry ass. She also confused viewers when she attempted to explain that the benchmark for economic success is no longer economic growth but she failed to tell us what it is instead. It is a clear sign of admitting defeat. However, most were delighted in watching the beautiful former Miss Seychelles talk and so it turned out a bit better than the dull Tony Wong in the previous programme. Full marks to Jacqueline Moustache-Belle who did not play government official in that programme, she demonstrated that she can be impartial when she wants to be – “Well-done”. Full marks also go to President Michel for allowing a free flow of opinions therefore not curtailing freedom of expression in that particular case. We all hope that this is the new way forward…a small cause for celebration at this very dark hour. “Is Chang Leng still around?” Did I hear you asked? 

August 29, 2008
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles