Seychelles and China Strengthen Cultural and Tourism Cooperation

Seychelles' Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis, has wrapped up an official visit to China aimed at integrating cultural heritage into tourism and enhancing cooperation through training and cultural exchanges. The mission, which marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and China, included a delegation of three members from the tourism sector and the Heritage Foundation. This visit built on the strategic partnership established between the two nations in 2024 during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The mission commenced with a seminar on the Integrated Development of Culture and Tourism for African Countries, organized by the Central Academy of Cultural and Tourism Administration (CACTA) in Beijing from October 29 to November 4, 2026. Seychelles participated alongside delegations from Madagascar, Benin, Chad, and Cameroon. During the seminar, the Seychelles delegation presented a cultural tourism case study highlighting efforts to preserve and share Creole identity, including examples such as the Unesco-inscribed Moutya, Domaine de Val des Près, and Rendezvous Diguois on La Digue.

The presentation explored how local knowledge, crafts, cuisine, and storytelling can contribute to visitor experiences, with an emphasis on community participation and authenticity. This aligns with Seychelles' ongoing efforts to integrate cultural heritage into its tourism offerings. The delegation then traveled to Zhejiang Province, where they engaged in further cultural exchanges and discussions on cooperation.

On November 6, Mrs. Francis delivered opening remarks at the ‘Wood & World: The Art Exhibition of African Wood Sculptures’ at the Zhejiang Art Museum in Hangzhou. The following day, she spoke at the opening of the China–Africa Tourism and Cultural Cooperation Forum in Yiwu, Jinhua. In her remarks, Mrs. Francis noted the 50th anniversary of Seychelles-China diplomatic relations and reaffirmed Seychelles’ interest in cooperation with Zhejiang and Jinhua in cultural exchange, tourism promotion, capacity building, and sustainable destination development.

Mrs. Francis expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for funding the mission and to their hosts in Beijing and Zhejiang for their hospitality and for creating valuable opportunities for learning and cooperation. The mission provided insights that will inform ongoing work to integrate cultural heritage into Seychelles’ tourism offerings and strengthen cooperation with China.

The training and exchanges organized by CACTA were highly informative, according to Mrs. Francis. The mission demonstrated the maturity and promise of Seychelles-China ties, with events such as the cultural exchange bringing the partnership to life. This visit is expected to have a positive impact on the tourism sector in Seychelles.

The Seychelles delegation's participation in the seminar and forums showcased the country's commitment to cultural preservation and tourism development. Key outcomes from the mission will likely shape future collaborations between Seychelles and China in the cultural and tourism sectors. Insights gained during the mission will inform ongoing work to integrate cultural heritage into Seychelles’ tourism offerings and strengthen cooperation with China.

Key points

• The mission was part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and China.
• Seychelles presented a cultural tourism case study highlighting efforts to preserve and share Creole identity.
• The visit aimed to integrate cultural heritage into Seychelles’ tourism offerings and strengthen cooperation with China.