Title: The challenge of formulating tourism policy in small island developing states (SIDS): evidence from Seychelles

Authors: Kei Wei Chia; Bertrand Loze

Addresses: Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Events, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Malaysia ' Ministry of Transport Seychelles, Victoria Mahe Island, Seychelles

Abstract: Most small island developing states (SIDS) have tourism policies that guide the country's tourism development. However, formulating a policy is far from straightforward as it involves many stages and revisions. Furthermore, policymakers typically confront an array of difficult and complex policy formulation challenges - which have seldom been delineated in previous research. This study was undertaken in Seychelles, located in the Indian Ocean, using a qualitative approach, with intensive in-depth interviews conducted with fifteen tourism elites involved in the policy formulation process. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show that poor cooperation, scarcity of information, lack of public consultation, inadequate policy dialogue, and shortage of human resources are major challenges for tourism policy formulation. The findings offer valuable groundwork for policy researchers, particularly in SIDS.

Keywords: challenges; elites; policy formulation; SIDS; small island developing states; thematic analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2024.140953

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2024 Vol.14 No.5, pp.479 - 492

Received: 10 Jan 2024
Accepted: 05 Mar 2024
Published online: 04 Sep 2024 *