Seychelles tourism looses one of its quiet achievers: Rene Michel

Rene-michel-1
Rene-michel-1
Avatar of Alain St.Ange
Written by Alain St.Ange

In Seychelles, Rene Michel passed away in the early morning of Saturday the 29th September aged 65. He is the man behind the Michel Holiday Apartments and also the Michel Villas of Les Mamelles of Mahe.

In Seychelles, Rene Michel passed away in the early morning of Saturday the 29th September aged 65. He is the man behind the Michel Holiday Apartments and also the Michel Villas of Les Mamelles of Mahe. He was also the partner of Philip Esparon in Mahe Cars (Car Hire company) and his Aqua Glass Company in partnership with Charles Pool was a supplier of locally made to measure fiberglass swimming pools and moulded plastic water tanks primarily for the tourism industry.

Rene Michel dedicated a lot of time as a committed Round Tabler in the Seychelles Round Table and for many years was in the Management Committee of the Seychelles Yacht Club. Rene took over the day to day management of Michel & Co. Ltd from his late father Louis Rene Michel and over the years oversaw the management of Michel Building in Victoria City Centre over and above the Apartments and Villas that are situated at Les Mamelles.

A sad loss for Seychelles Tourism. He leaves behind his wife Heather, daughter Amy and son Ben.

About the author

Avatar of Alain St.Ange

Alain St.Ange

Alain St Ange has been working in the tourism business since 2009. He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel.

He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel. After one year of

After one year of service, he was promoted to the position of CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

In 2012 the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands regional Organization was formed and St Ange was appointed as the first president of the organization.

In a 2012 cabinet re-shuffle, St Ange was appointed as Minister of Tourism and Culture which he resigned on 28 December 2016 in order to pursue a candidacy as Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation.

At the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu in China, a person who was being sought after for the “Speakers Circuit” for tourism and sustainable development was Alain St.Ange.

St.Ange is the former Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine who left office in December last year to run for the position of Secretary General of the UNWTO. When his candidature or document of endorsement was withdrawn by his country just a day before the elections in Madrid, Alain St.Ange showed his greatness as a speaker when he addressed the UNWTO gathering with grace, passion, and style.

His moving speech was recorded as the one on the best marking speeches at this UN international body.

African countries often remember his Uganda address for the East Africa Tourism Platform when he was a guest of honor.

As former Tourism Minister, St.Ange was a regular and popular speaker and was often seen addressing forums and conferences on behalf of his country. His ability to speak ‘off the cuff’ was always seen as a rare ability. He often said he speaks from the heart.

In Seychelles he is remembered for a marking address at the official opening of the island’s Carnaval International de Victoria when he reiterated the words of John Lennon famous song… ” you may say I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one. One day you will all join us and the world will be better as one”. The world press contingent gathered in Seychelles on the day ran with the words by St.Ange which made headlines everywhere.

St.Ange delivered the keynote address for the “Tourism & Business Conference in Canada”

Seychelles is a good example for sustainable tourism. This is therefore not surprising to see Alain St.Ange being sought after as a speaker on the international circuit.

Member of Travelmarketingnetwork.

Share to...