The member states of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands organization has re-elected its President, Mr. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism & Culture, for a second term. This election was held during the organization’s extraordinary meeting held at the International Tourism Fair Madagascar on Thursday, May 30. The resolution comes a few days prior to the end of the current mandate of Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles.
The proposition to re-elect Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles for a second term mandate was made by the four member states, namely La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte, and Comoros. The member states felt that the first year was more an inception year, whereby the organization’s structure was being put in place, and this is still an ongoing process. It was resolved that the organization should double its efforts to move into a plan of action mode to implement the agenda set forth for the next 12 months and to ensure a continuity, necessary for its harmonious development.
The meeting also resolved several key points aimed at furthering the cause and “raison d’etre” of the organization as follows:
– Air access within the Indian Ocean zone and particularly markets such as China
– Vanilla Island branding and visibility at tourism trade fairs starting with Top Resa in Paris and ITB Asia in Singapore
– The next ministerial meeting to be held in the Comoros
– The inclusion of Maldives as a fully member within the organization as from the organization’s next Ministerial meeting
– The inclusion of affiliate members Rodrigues of Mauritius, Nosy Bay of Madagascar, Praslin, and La Digue of the Seychelles at the next Ministerial Meeting
– Drafting of a charter of sustainable tourism practices for the region
The extraordinary meeting was attended by Mr. Didier Robert, President of the Conseil Regional de La Reunion; Tourism Minister of Madagascar Mr. Jean-Max Rakotomamonjy; Tourism & Culture Minister of the Seychelles Mr. Alain St.Ange; Mrs. Hissane Guy of the Comoros Tourism Authority; and Mr. Michel Ahmed of the Mayotte Tourism Authority.
Speaking to gathered press after his re-election as the President of the Vanilla Islands, Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles said that he was humbled by the support received by the other member states. “Their resolve in supporting my leadership and their unity in wanting to see our regional organization work for the benefit of our respective island economies, of our tourism industry, and for the well-being of our people was really appreciated. We are now set to the consolidation of our Vanilla Islands,” the Seychelles Minister, Mr. Alain St.Ange said.
The Vanilla Islands organization is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- “Their resolve in supporting my leadership and their unity in wanting to see our regional organization work for the benefit of our respective island economies, of our tourism industry, and for the well-being of our people was really appreciated.
- It was resolved that the organization should double its efforts to move into a plan of action mode to implement the agenda set forth for the next 12 months and to ensure a continuity, necessary for its harmonious development.
- The Vanilla Islands organization is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .
