Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa kicks off in Seychelles

The Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) meeting being held in Seychelles between July 11-13 has kicked off this morning with delegates meeting for the 47th Executive Meeting.

The RETOSA meeting, which is taking place at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS), is being attended by over 40 delegates from the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Today’s meeting will be followed by the 49th RETOSA board meeting that will be held tomorrow, July 12.

The meeting will address issues relating to Regional Tourism Growth and Strategy for the region.

It will also discuss issues of regional integration, focusing on regional tourism growth infrastructure and development, including a tourism master plan for 2012 and beyond for the region.

All member states – Mozambique, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, are present for the meeting, except for Botswana and Mauritius, as well as Madagascar who are going through a period of suspension.

The executive meeting got off to a start with the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Elsia Grandcourt, welcoming the representatives of all members.
“This few days have been eventful for Seychelles with the islands hosting the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICPT), the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands meeting, and the 7th Routes Africa Forum, which so far has been one of the most successful editions with some of you having had the chance to attend it. Seychelles is proud to also be the host of this RETOSA meeting,” said Mrs. Grandcourt.

“We hope that the RETOSA meeting will also be a success and we wish fruitful deliberations,” added Mrs. Grandcourt.

The 49th RETOSA board meeting will be officially opened tomorrow, July 12 2012 at 1:00 pm.