« This event is a rare moment to meet up, exchange and share our know-how “. This is how Samina Mahamoudou, deputy director of the Center-West Tourist Office of Mayotte, presented this new edition of the Indian Ocean Islands Economic Forum, which was held from November 5 to 7 in the commune of Dembéni, in Mayotte. On the tourism side, one of the challenges is to succeed in creating a synergy around the islands of the Indian Ocean, rich in local products and artisanal know-how, to stimulate an inclusive tourism approach that could appeal to all audiences. In order to create these new areas of development, it is necessary to strengthen the optimization of maritime and air services in the Indian Ocean. These connections are essential to supporting regional production and driving economic development while addressing the specific challenges of island transportation. These two issues were the subject of exchanges and debates during this new edition. All these actions had the clear objective of building key infrastructure for regional trade and international exports. Thus, during the first day of this Forum, a time of exchange around the theme “Tourists, consumers of products from our islands” highlighted a unanimous observation: tourism is an under-exploited economic vector to boost regional production. “ Our islands have unique characteristics. By working together, we can avoid sending our products halfway around the world, thereby reducing environmental impact while valorizing our resources locally », declared the deputy director of the Central-West Mayotte Tourist Office.
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Tourism and production: opportunities to transform our economies
The potential of tourism for island economies is beyond doubt. Visitors, in search of authenticity, look for local products such as spices, crafts, natural cosmetics and even gourmet dishes. “ It is crucial to integrate these products into the tourist journey », underlines Samina Mahamoudou. According to her, a coherent strategy would make it possible to highlight local producers and create a virtuous circle: increased local consumption, greater economic benefits and, above all, increased visibility on international markets. The creation of a regional brand was also mentioned. “ Imagine a quality label bringing together emblematic products from the Indian Ocean islands “, she suggests again. “ This would be a way not only to promote our wealth, but also to assure consumers of recognized traceability and quality.“. However, the road to effective synergy is fraught with pitfalls. “ The main challenge is political will », Indicates the deputy director. “ Without strong commitment from managers, it will be difficult to overcome administrative and logistical barriers “. Among the other points of difficulty is the complexity of accessing European funds, which slows down many local businesses. “We should simplify the procedures so that these funds are accessible, particularly to small structures “, she insists. During these discussions, several initiatives were welcomed, such as the organization of regional fairs or the creation of inter-island partnerships. These actions, although occasional, therefore demonstrate that cooperation is possible. “ This forum is an exceptional showcase insists Samina Mahamoudou. « It allows us to promote our products, but also to form lasting links with our neighbors.s ».
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Tourism, a driver of sustainability and economic resilience
Beyond economic issues, tourism can also play a key role in the sustainability of island economies. “ The principle of sustainability requires local and regional exchanges », recalls the deputy director of the Center-West Mayotte Tourist Office. Integrating local products into the tourist offering helps reduce the environmental impact while strengthening the cultural identity of the islands. Concrete examples were shared, such as the promotion of artisanal products from Mayotte or the region. These initiatives prove that local production can be part of a sustainable and attractive tourism model. “ Tourism is a window open to our riches », she concludes. “ We must seize it to build a more solid and respectful future “. It is therefore on a note of hope, but also in the face of a series of challenges, that this reflection on a regional dynamic to be built ended. By placing tourism at the heart of economic strategy, the Indian Ocean islands can not only stand out, but also build solid and lasting cooperation. A question remains: will regional actors be able to transform this momentum into concrete actions? “ The opportunities are there. It's up to us to seize them, together ».
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Abby Said Adinani
