SPGA Case Study

Client: Seychelles Parks & Gardens Authority
Category: Systems, Integration
Status: Live

Case Study: SPGA Electronic Ticketing & Access Control System GOS / UNDP / GEF Project

A turnkey electronic ticketing & access control system for Seychelles’ Marine Protected Areas.

Overview

The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) — implemented under the GOS/UNDP/GEF Protected Area Finance Project — worked with Taylor Consulting to design and deliver a bespoke electronic ticketing and access control system for Seychelles’ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and national parks. This case study summarises the problem, the solution delivered, the technologies used, the implementation process, and measurable outcomes.

Background & challenge

Background & challenge
Seychelles' National Parks and Marine Protected Areas are internationally significant for biodiversity and tourism. Prior to implementation, ticketing relied on cash collection and a voucher system which were time-consuming, error-prone, and vulnerable to revenue leakage. Rangers spent disproportionate time collecting fees, visitors experienced delays and inconvenience, and SPGA lacked timely reconciliation and reporting of ticket sales and validations. The GOS/UNDP/GEF Terms of Reference and accompanying proposal detail the requirement to move to an online and offline-capable hybrid system to reduce cash handling, increase transparency, and improve operational efficiency.

What we built

Solution delivered
Taylor Consulting developed a turnkey system comprising three integrated components:

Online ticketing portal — a customer-facing web portal for purchasing single and multiple-entry tickets, selecting MPAs and dates, and receiving printable and mobile tickets with unique ticket numbers and QR codes.
Vendor (retail) Android application — used by kiosks and retail partners to sell tickets offline or online, accept cash or card, and print receipts using portable thermal printers.
Ranger validation Android application — enables field rangers to scan and validate tickets (QR or barcode), record validations while offline, and sync logs to the central server when connectivity is available.

The backend provides centralised reporting, audit trails, finance reconciliation, and an API used by both mobile apps and the website. Offline-first design using local SQLite caches ensures continuity of operations across islands with intermittent connectivity.

Cross platform — application runs on Android or desktop windows/linux devices.

Information Access — users can access sales and visitor information including which vessels are expected at a specific MPA for any period.

Ranger validation — offline-first, quick scan validation and sync.

Vendor sales — sell tickets, choose park & print receipts.

Technology & hardware

Technology stack & hardware

Backend: PHP, REST API, MariaDB
Mobile: Android, local SQLite cache for offline operations
Payments: Integrated with banking/payment gateway APIs
Hardware: Rugged Android devices for rangers, Android sales terminal devices integrating thermal receipt printers for retail kiosks

Conservation first — technology supports protection of species such as the Aldabra giant tortoise.

Visitor experience — simple purchase flow and printable tickets.

Implementation & training

Implementation & training
The project followed a staged delivery (inception, prototype, pilot, rollout, ongoing hosting and maintenance). Key activities included:

Inception consultation in the Seychelles with stakeholders to outline challenges. This process included visits to the sites and meetings with staff about current processes and problems they face.
Iterative development with prototype testing and feedback sessions with SPGA and vendors.
Pilot deployment at key embarkation points (La Digue Jetty, Cote d’Or, Ephelia/Port Launay).
On-site training for SPGA staff and kiosk operators, and delivery of an operational troubleshooting manual.
Training videos were created for ongoing staff training and reference
The system is hosted and managed by Taylor Consulting and a long-term support and maintenance agreement is in place to keep system in date and operational 24/7

Staff consultation — extensive consultation with staff to understand processes and challenges so we could explore possible solutions.

Conservation — Streamlining these operations allowed the organisation to refocus on their core function which is conserving the Natural wonder of the seychelles.

Outcomes & impact

Outcomes & impact

Reduced cash handling: the hybrid online/offline system removed much of the daily cash reconciliation burden and reduced leakage.
Faster validation & enforcement: rangers could validate tickets quickly using mobile devices, improving visitor flow and compliance.
Improved revenue reporting: centralised sales and validation logs provided accurate real-time reporting and simplified accounting.
Better ranger utilisation: rangers regained time previously spent on cash collection and paperwork, focusing more on conservation duties.
National recognition: the service became the leading online booking platform for venues in Seychelles and was presented as part of the GOS/UNDP/GEF Programme outputs.

How it aligns with GOS/UNDP/GEF requirements

The project was implemented under the GOS/UNDP/GEF Programme Coordination Unit, following the Terms of Reference and contractual arrangements. Deliverables included inception reports, trial versions, training materials, and final software/hardware delivery per the contractual ToR. The project included branded communications per PCU branding guidelines.

Next steps

Scalability & future potential
The platform was designed to be modular and extensible: potential next steps include multi-language support, roll-out to additional protected areas and private reserves, integration with tourism partner CRMs and ticket channel partners, and optional support for subscription or annual pass products to encourage repeat visitors and conservation donations.

Contact

Contact
Taylor Consulting — Simon Taylor
Email: info@taylorconsulting.co.za
Web: taylorconsulting.co.za