USA’s African Diaspora Magazine writes on behalf of the media from around the world on the 2016 edition of the Carnival in Seychelles
aTP- Arab tourism portal- Kitty Pope of the African Diaspora Magazine of the United States of America writes:- On behalf of the tourism media from around the world, I would like to thank President James Michel, Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Tourism board, leaders and organizations involved in Seychelles tourism, as well as South African Minister Dereck Hanekom, La Reunion elected representative Faouzia Vitry and the Vanilla Islands CEO Pascal Viroleau, and all others involved in making this momentous carnival possible. We, as media, are happy that you have chosen us to participate and help to spread the word about the Carnival and tourism to Seychelles, and also the Vanilla islands, La Reunion and South Africa. I include Vanilla Islands, La Reunion and South Africa because I know how much Minister St.Ange believe in partnering as a tool to promote African and regional tourism.
We want to thank Minister St.Ange for creating such a world carnival promoting peace and understanding through multiculturalism and working together. At this time we want to honor him and express our appreciation for leading the efforts in putting on such a great, fun filled, as well as educational carnivals for the past 6 years. I am asking the media to fervently spread the word about the Seychelles Carnival and its potential to positively impact the world.
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At the opening of the carnival on the 22 April, I was really touched and felt teary eyed because I really understood the magnitude of what was going on here in Seychelles. At the end when firecrackers were going off in celebration, I was reminded of how bombs are going off in some places. As a splendid celebration of the world’s cultures, the Seychelles Carnival is a symbol of Peace. For one week-end in time, nations embrace and respect each other’s differences unlike any other event in the world. I predict that one day this carnival will be liken to the World Cup or Olympics in terms of a competition of different nation carnivals participating.
As a tourism professional for almost twenty years, I can say that Minister St.Ange is one of the most passionate leaders I know regarding tourism. He is one who does not only talk the talk, but he also walks the walk, and delivers what he says. He is down in the trenches working, as a hands on Tourism Minister. He knows tourism in and out, and that is why organizations from around the world continuously ask him to give lectures and speeches on tourism strategies. Because he is very knowledgeable and has a keen understanding of the tourism industry, he is the type leader that the United Nations World Tourism Organization needs, one who can take tourism to a whole new level.
He can probably apply some of the same principles that he has used to progress Seychelles Tourism and use them as world tourism strategies. With tourism being one of the largest industries in the world, Minister St.Ange can help to empower the world’s economy through tourism, just like he has done in Seychelles. He does have the capability to revolutionize the global tourism industry to fit today’s needs.
Perhaps one of the main reasons, Minister St.Ange is a great tourism official is that he cares about people. He is not only presenting this carnival to progress tourism to Seychelles around the world. He is presenting this carnival for the people of Seychelles. He knows that many of the people in Seychelles cannot afford to travel to different parts of the world, so he is bringing different parts of the world to them. He is giving back to the people through this Carnival. He is also giving creative performing artists a chance to display their talents.
The world is in need of leaders like Minister St. Ange in high ranking government offices in tourism. He has refused to elaborate on whether he is interested in the UNWTO Secretary General position now, but when the time comes, the media and other leaders in the tourism industry will be anxiously awaiting the decision he makes regarding bringing his tourism skills to benefit the global nation.
