Seychelles Tourism Board Returns with New Leadership as Islands Mark 50 Years of Independence
Seychelles has taken a decisive step in reshaping its tourism governance with the official appointment of a new Board of Directors for the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB). The move, announced by the Office of the President, marks a strategic reset for one of the Indian Ocean's most important economic institutions and arrives at a moment when destinations worldwide are rethinking how their tourism authorities should be structured, governed and aligned with shifting market realities.
For the islands, where tourism remains the cornerstone of the national economy, this development carries weight far beyond a routine administrative reshuffle. The reconstituted Board reflects a careful blend of public sector oversight and private sector expertise, a model that resonates strongly with ongoing conversations across sub-Saharan Africa about how national tourism institutions can become more agile, market-facing and accountable without losing strategic direction.
The new Board is chaired by Eddie D'Offay, with Cindy Vidot serving as Vice-Chairperson. They are joined by Bernadette Willemin, Beverly Bijoux, Alan Mason, Dominique Sabino and Tinaz Wadia. Chief Executive Officer Vesna Rakić sits on the Board in an ex-officio capacity. All appointments run for a three-year term, effective 1 June 2026.
The inaugural meeting took place at Botanical House, where members began aligning around shared priorities. Discussions focused on collaboration with the private sector, preserving destination quality and ensuring that tourism growth does not undermine sustainability — a balance Seychelles has long held as central to its identity in the global travel marketplace. For African tourism professionals watching the Indian Ocean space closely, these themes echo the same pressures faced across the continent, where destinations must balance volume, value and environmental responsibility.
Chairman Eddie D'Offay brings deep industry credentials to the role. He serves as Managing Director of Hôtel L'Archipel on Praslin, a family-owned boutique property with more than three decades of operation behind it. His career also spans airline representation, tour operations and previous leadership positions within the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association, where he served as Vice-Chairman. His appointment underscores a governance approach that places operational know-how and on-the-ground industry insight at the centre of national tourism decision-making — an approach increasingly championed across African destinations seeking to professionalise their tourism boards.
The timing of this appointment is significant. The STB was dissolved in 2021 during a broader public sector restructuring, with its functions absorbed into the Department of Tourism. While that period brought consolidation, it also sparked debate within industry circles about the lack of a dedicated destination marketing authority. The passage of the Seychelles Tourism Board Bill in 2026 formally restored the STB as a standalone institution, re-establishing a clear separation between policy oversight and destination marketing execution. This positions Seychelles in line with international best practice, where tourism boards function with defined mandates, strong industry representation and strategic independence.
The Board assumes office as Seychelles celebrates 50 years of independence, adding symbolic significance to its mandate. Looking ahead, the next chapter of Seychelles tourism will demand sharper storytelling, broader market diversification and a renewed focus on value rather than sheer visitor numbers. The Board's task will be to guide the destination's narrative through this transition while protecting its natural and cultural treasures and ensuring inclusive economic returns.
For African tourism stakeholders, the lesson is clear. As global travel continues to evolve at speed, strong destination governance is no longer optional — it is strategic. The way Seychelles is repositioning its tourism leadership offers a useful reference point for African markets considering how to structure their own national tourism authorities for the years ahead, especially as competition for the discerning long-haul traveller intensifies and partnerships between African and Indian Ocean destinations grow ever more relevant.
