• Destinations

Seychelles Adjusts Sustainability Levy: Relief for Small Operators, New Rates for Larger Properties Seychelles Adjusts Sustainability Levy: Relief for Small Operators, New Rates for Larger Properties

The Government of Seychelles has announced significant amendments to its Environment Protection (Tourism Environmental Sustainability Levy) Regulations, poised to take effect on 1 January 2026. These revisions are set to reshape cost structures for accommodation providers and bolster the archipelago’s ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practices, with a particular focus on supporting the resilience of the sector’s smaller players.

The most notable change in the updated regulations is the removal of the levy for small accommodation establishments. By exempting these operators, the government aims to ease financial pressures, provide greater operational flexibility, and empower small businesses to remain competitive within the broader tourism landscape. This adjustment is expected to benefit a significant portion of locally owned guesthouses and boutique lodgings, many of which play a crucial role in diversifying Seychelles’ accommodation offerings and fostering community-based tourism experiences.

For medium and large accommodation providers, the Tourism Environmental Sustainability Levy will continue to be applied on a per person, per night basis, collected directly by tourism accommodation providers at the point of stay. From the start of 2026, the levy rates will be as follows:

  • SCR 75 per person per night for medium establishments (those with 25 to 50 rooms)
  • SCR 100 per person per night for large establishments (those with more than 50 rooms)
  • SCR 100 per person per night for guests staying on yachts and at island resorts

This tiered system reflects the government’s intention to maintain a fair and targeted approach, ensuring larger and more resource-intensive operations contribute proportionally to the island nation’s environmental sustainability initiatives.

Importantly, the revised regulations retain all existing exemptions, reinforcing Seychelles’ commitment to inclusivity and ease of travel for certain groups. The levy remains inapplicable to:

  • Citizens and residents of Seychelles
  • Airline and yacht crew members
  • Children aged 12 years and under

These exemptions are intended to protect residents and essential travel personnel from additional costs, while also making the destination more attractive for families traveling with young children.

For Africa’s tourism sector professionals, these changes in Seychelles serve as a clear indicator of how policy can balance environmental responsibility with business viability. By removing the levy for small-scale operators, the government is signaling support for sustainable, community-driven tourism—an approach that many destinations across the continent are striving to adopt as they seek to diversify product offerings and spread the economic benefits of tourism more widely.

The continued application of the levy to medium and large accommodation providers, as well as yachts and island resorts, also underscores the role that major industry players must have in stewarding natural resources. These contributions help fund crucial environmental protection and sustainability projects, ensuring that Seychelles’ pristine beaches, coral reefs, and unique biodiversity remain intact for future generations of travelers and locals alike.

Looking ahead, these regulatory updates are expected to further strengthen Seychelles’ position as a leader in sustainable island tourism. The government’s proactive stance sends a strong message to the regional industry: that careful, targeted policy design can generate both environmental and economic dividends. For those managing or selling African island destinations, Seychelles’ latest move offers valuable lessons in how to evolve fee structures in a way that supports long-term sustainability without stifling the entrepreneurial spirit of local operators.

As the global tourism sector continues to evolve, such adaptive measures will likely become increasingly common. The Seychelles model—a nuanced, scalable approach to sustainability levies—could inspire similar strategies across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in markets where the protection of natural resources is central to both tourism product and national identity. By ensuring that the burden is shared fairly and that small players are shielded from disproportionate costs, Seychelles is paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient tourism industry—one where growth and sustainability move hand in hand.