On This World Tourism Day 2020

On This World Tourism Day 2020
Alain St.Ange, Presidential Candidate for One Seychelles
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Written by Alain St.Ange

The former Minister of Tourism for the Republic of Seychelles and Presidential Candidate for the October 24 elections, Alain St.Ange, shares his thoughts on this World Tourism Day:

โ€œAs the world marks yet again Tourism Day, it is important for us in Seychelles to say โ€˜Happy Tourism Dayโ€™ to each and every one, but to also say let us all rally to defend, protect, and help consolidate this industry that remains the powerful vehicle to not only stimulate the economic growth of our countries, but that also remains the motor for social growth in the world at large.

โ€œThis was the message I issued some years back, and it remains as relevant today as it did then. Today, on September 27, we celebrate World Tourism Day at a time when tourism as an industry has been grounded to a halt. COVID-19 landed in Seychelles as it did around the world and demolished the islandโ€™s tourism industry that had been consolidated over the years by the hard work of tourism industry players working alongside the government in what has been referred to as the PPP.

โ€œOur islands became the flavor for discerning travelers and are noticed around the world, and for such accomplishment, we need to thank our Tourism Board, the private sector trade, our hotels, our DMCs, and our airlines for promoting Seychelles as a tourist destination.

โ€œThe Seychelles Tourism industry remains the pillar of the islandsโ€™ economy. We all want to see Seychelles Tourism bloom again and to do that we know we will work with our airline partners, our faithful tour operators from the four corners of the world, and above all be innovative and proactive.

โ€œWe are today proud to say that we have protected what we have been blessed with โ€“ the lush green natural landscape of our islands, our white sandy beaches, and our turquoise blue seas. We can be seen as good custodians of what we have, and we have gone the extra mile and have now declared over 50% of the total land area of Seychelles as protected national parks. But that is just not enough, because we know that our tourism industry would be on shaky ground if we did not put our culture at the center of our tourism industry and doing that by placing our people at the very center of our development, because without people we have no culture.

โ€œThis is why on this World Tourism Day, as we all celebrate the milestones achieved in our industry. We need to say to ourselves that our people remain our greatest asset, and we all need to continue to embrace them in their diversity.

โ€œMay Tourism Day 2020 be for the great continent of Africa a time of reflection on the protection and preservation of our rich natural heritage and this is inclusive of our people in its diversity in political affiliation, color of the skin, religious beliefs, and sexual preferences. May Tourism Day 2020 also be for the world at large, a time for reflection where the ambitions of one does not step on the rights of others needing tourism as a source of economic survival.โ€

#rebuildingtravel

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 โ€œSpeakers Circuitโ€ 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 โ€˜off the cuffโ€™ 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 islandโ€™s Carnaval International de Victoria when he reiterated the words of John Lennon famous songโ€ฆ โ€ 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 oneโ€. 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 โ€œTourism & Business Conference in Canadaโ€

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.

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