President Dr Patrick Herminie led a high-level delegation to Assomption on Monday 1 December 2025 as the government reviewed progress on a planned luxury hotel project on the island.
The delegation included Vice-President Sebastien Pillay, Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein, Minister of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources Marie-May Jeremie, Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment, Pierre Laporte, Chief of Defence Forces Major General Michael Rosette, Island Development Company (IDC) CEO Cyril Bonnelame and Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) CEO Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogley. Local media were also present, along with Victoria Duthil from Friends of Aldabra.
Two flights travelled from Mahé to Assomption. The first, operated by the Seychelles Air Force, departed at 05:50am Seychelles time carrying the Vice-President and Minister Bernstein. President Herminie travelled on the second IDC flight with Minister Jeremie, Minister Laporte and Major General Rosette. IDC Deputy CEO Christian Lionnet, who was already on Assomption, welcomed the delegation on arrival.
Assets Group is developing the project and has selected the Rosewood hotel brand to operate what it describes as a seven-star resort. The proposed development includes up to 40 villas with direct beach access. IDC is responsible for constructing the villas as well as staff accommodation and supporting infrastructure.
Because Assomption is part of the Aldabra group, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the project has drawn scrutiny, particularly from environmental groups. Friends of Aldabra has raised concerns in online videos about the scale of the development.
The visit began with a briefing led by IDC Deputy CEO Christian Lionnet. The delegation was given an overview of the project, including architectural plans and 3D impressions, and had the opportunity to request clarification on several aspects of the development. President Herminie asked IDC about the dividend payment expected from the developers’ initial payment, which he said the government had not yet received. He also said he had met Justice Mathilda Twomey, who will preside over a commission of enquiry into the previous government’s dealings with the developers.
“That enquiry will not only involve the violation of biodiversity agreement, but also asset tracing, ultra asset tracing which may explain why the developers may alter or change the rules as they wish,” Said President Herminie.
The delegation later visited construction areas, including a private villa that, according to Lionnet, will be used by the owners while remaining part of the hotel’s accommodation pool. They also inspected the site designated for back-of-house operations, where construction of staff facilities is at an advanced stage.
Following the visit, Victoria Duthil from Friends of Aldabra said seeing the development in person provided valuable insight. “I was really surprised and taken aback at the scale of some of the construction that I’ve seen today, including the back of house and the staff amenities. That’s a lot bigger than I thought it would be,” she said.
Vice-President Pillay said the government’s stop notice on the project remains in place. “There will be no abridging of things. It will stay in effect until they meet all the requirements,” he said.
The visit was President Herminie’s first to Assomption, which he described as a good experience.
Assomption lies 1,135 km southwest of Mahé in the Seychelles archipelago.