New high-level forum hopes to make Seychelles’ Capital more enticing

The laserenad enternasyonal in the Creole Festival is one of the events that livened up the Seychelles' capital. (Joe Laurence) 

(Seychelles News Agency) - A new high-level forum aims to make Seychelles’ capital a more vibrant city with additional activities for locals and tourists.

Called the ‘Victoria Forum’, the grouping brings together government and private sector leaders.

Launched on Thursday at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS) by President Danny Faure, the forum is an initiative of the Mayor of Victoria, David Andre.

“The Mayor cannot do this work on his own. He needs the support of everyone and that is why this Forum has key representatives from various sectors to help, discuss, and pass on the aspirations of our citizens,” said Faure.

The forum was launched on Thursday by President Danny Faure (Centre) (Joena Meme) Photo License: CC-BY

Andre, also the chair of the forum, said that Victoria Forum was the idea of former Mayor Jacqueline Moustache-Belle.

Members of the forum’s committee include representatives from the ministerial departments of finance, culture, infrastructure, transport and social affairs. Also part of the committee, are members of Seychelles Land Transport Agency, Public Utilities Corporation, Seychelles Licensing Authority and Planning Authority among others.

During the first meeting, the 17 members shared their advice and ideas on how to help make Victoria a better capital.

The Principal Secretary for Tourism, Anne Lafortune, said that the forum will be an ideal platform to discuss how the capital can be made more attractive and entertaining for tourists.

Several members outlined that this need to be done as the capital is not providing activities for locals and visitors after working hours and during the weekend. Other forms of activities outlined as missing were cultural ones.

17 members from government institutions and the private sector attended the first Victoria forum. (Joena Meme) Photo License: CC-BY

The Principal Secretary of the Department of Culture, Cecile Kalibi said cultural activities will be reintroduced in the capital with the reopening of the Seychelles History Museum in two months.

“The museum will be open Monday through to Sunday. There will be frequent activities around it and that will help bring more activities in town. We are also ready to work with other entities present today to see what other cultural activities can be brought to the capital,” said Kalibi.

Other members suggested that businessmen operating in the capital should make contributions toward the management and beautification of Victoria. It was also pointed out that the painting or designing of infrastructures should be done in such a way that they blend well with the Creole look.

“When a visitor sets foot in Victoria, we boast that Victoria is the Creole capital of the world. What makes it the Creole capital of the world? There are several things that we should valorize and preserve and promote,” said Andre.

He added that “within the projects that we have for Victoria, we should take into consideration all of these things so that Victoria remains the Creole capital of the world.”

Victoria Forum is to be held every two months on a Thursday.