Seychelles Mourns Tourism Pioneer Mickey Mason

Seychelles, East Africa, October 18, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Seychelles is mourning the loss of one of its most influential figures in tourism and conservation, Raymond Michael De Speville Mason, fondly known as Mickey Mason, who passed away at the age of 81. A proud Seychellois from Plaisance, Mickey was a visionary entrepreneur whose contributions to the nation’s tourism industry and environmental conservation have left an enduring legacy.

Together with his wife, Kathy Mason (née Michel) of Les Mamelles, he co-founded Mason’s Travel and its associated group of companies, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s tourism landscape.

After completing his education at Seychelles College, Mickey pursued studies in forestry in the UK. Upon returning to Seychelles, he served with dedication in the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. However, his entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to join forces with Kathy to establish Mason’s Travel during the early days of Seychelles’ burgeoning tourism industry.

What began as day trips to Cerf Island quickly evolved into a thriving destination management company (DMC), initially named TFC Tours and later rebranded as Mason’s Travel. The company expanded its services to include airport meet-and-greet operations, bus excursions around Mahé, and marine excursions. Mickey’s passion for innovation saw the introduction of the iconic excursion boat, Le Cerf, which offered unforgettable day trips to Praslin and La Digue.

Under Mickey and Kathy’s leadership, Mason’s Travel grew to encompass not only tour and travel services but also a portfolio of hospitality ventures, including Indian Ocean Lodge on Praslin, Auberge Club at Bel Ombre, Carana Beach, and Denis Island. The company further diversified with the establishment of Mason’s Air Travel, offering airline GSA services and ticketing.

In later years, Mickey and Kathy made Denis Island their home, transforming it into a model of sustainability and conservation. They cultivated a self-sufficient ecosystem, producing fresh vegetables, fruits, and livestock, while overseeing the island’s resort operations. The island is now 100% solar-powered for its electricity consumption, with standby generators used only in emergencies. This shift significantly reduced the need for fossil fuel transportation to the island, aligning with Mickey’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

In line with his passion for conservation, Denis Island became a sanctuary for some of Seychelles’ rarest endemic birds under Mickey’s guardianship. Translocation efforts helped species like the Seychelles fody, magpie robin, paradise flycatcher, and Seychelles warbler improve their standings on the IUCN Globally Threatened Birds list. Denis Island remains the only place in the world where a morning walk can bring you across all four of these remarkable species.

Mickey also oversaw the restoration of native forest habitats, the rearing of giant land tortoises, and the establishment of a fledgling seabird colony, among many other conservation projects. His commitment to preserving Seychelles’ natural heritage has left an enduring legacy for future generations.

An avid sailor and fisherman, Mickey was a man of the sea, often found snorkelling around Denis Island’s pristine waters. His love for the ocean and its ecosystems was a defining aspect of his life.

Mickey is survived by his wife Kathy, their four children – Alan, Allison, Michael, and Elizabeth – and cherished grandchildren. His contributions to Seychelles, its tourism industry, and its environment will be remembered with gratitude and admiration.

As Seychelles bids farewell to one of its most beloved sons, Mickey Mason’s legacy will live on in the thriving tourism industry he helped build and the natural wonders he worked tirelessly to protect. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.