Bea Broda BA, BMsc, the known Producer/Writer/Host/Speaker at BC PICTURES: multimedia/tv production with Over 300 video clips & Daily travel news (www.travelvideo.tv) and Past President: SATW posted in February the 4th February:-The UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) is a critical player in the continuation of sustainable world travel, and it’s heartening that all of the candidates running for Secretary General at this time have an impressive pedigree in the business of tourism.
Almasalla- Arab Travel Portal News – One candidate that stands out to me is Alain St. Ange, the former Minister of Tourism of Seychelles.
In the seven years that I have been familiar with his work, I have witnessed the extraordinary dedication, enthusiasm and visionary brilliance that resulted in his enormous success in this role.
St. Ange took a relatively small island nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean and created a way to bring Seychelles to the forefront of global attention with the enactment of the Carnaval International de Victoria.
This international event experienced six years of success, not only bringing interest and tourism to the nation, but proudly unifying all of the people who live there towards a common goal.
In addition, St. Ange was a founder of the Vanilla Islands of the Indian Ocean, a consortium designed to combine the strengths of the islands located in the Indian Ocean to present a strong front in a competitive market.
He has worked ceaselessly in the direction of the absolute success of those issues to which he cheerfully commits his time, and I would personally like to see someone with his considerable vision, dedication and creativity take the helm of an organization as influential to tourism as UNWTO.
Below I am attaching several other endorsements that echo my own views regarding Alain St. Ange and highlight his achievements as the Minister of Tourism of Seychelles.
Alain St.Ange: The Leader of Leaders Who Created the Carnival of Carnivals
An in-depth look at the one-of-a kind African Tourism Minister’s personality, leadership style, and accomplishments
by Kitty J. Pope – African Diaspora Tourism
It was over four years ago that the Honorable Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange came up with he idea of organizing a huge carnival where nations from around the world could parade their cultures.
With many countries already having their own unique carnivals, St.Ange envisioned an international carnival that would bring nations together in one setting to not only showcase their cultures, but also to help promote an understanding of multiculturalism.
He went on to launch the Seychelles International Carnival where communities of nations get the opportunity to network and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere.
The first of its kind, the carnival, which has grown every year, has come to be known as the “Carnival of Carnivals.”
St.Ange says that the carnival is a unique world event for bringing nations together where different cultures are respected as well as celebrated.
“Even in the General Assembly of the United Nations when some world leaders stand to deliver their address, some delegates walk out, but here respect for everyone is and will remain the key to ties of friendship and togetherness,” he explains.
Seychelles Carnival has captured the interest of leaders, tourism officials and travelers alike from the world over.
As word spreads near and far among VIPs, media sources and curious tourists, the carnival has continued to get more popular each year.
So just what is it about St.Ange that has allowed him to be able to successfully devise such an ingenious way to propel people and nations to come together under one accord?
For one thing, he has been dubbed a master marketer and promoter by Creole International Magazine, as he was able to turn around visitation numbers to substantially increase tourism arrivals in Seychelles.
Implementing and forging forth the tourism portfolio set forth by President James Michel, St.Ange’s tourism approach and marketing methods have proven to be extremely effective, garnering him invitations from a host of countries and organizations that want to learn about the “Seychelles Tourism Brand” as a guide for replication.
One such organization that hosted him as a featured presenter is the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).
Huge Riley, Secretary General for CTO was happy to have St.Ange to share his winning strategies for the organization’s State of the Industry Conference.
“Minister St.Ange is well-known among tourism circles as a creative thinker and practitioner who is particularly skilled in helping to develop various countries’ tourism potential,” said Riley.
At the conference, St.Ange topic was “Redefining the Role of National Tourist Offices,” where he spoke about the changing face of the tourism industry over the past 60 years and how tourism officials must be able to adjust.
St.Ange has been interviewed by top media sources and journalist trying to get a peek at what makes him tick.
Noted CNN journalist Anita Mendiratta has sited Seychelles Minister Alain St. Ange as a shining example of how to move tourism, trade, investment, understanding and opportunity forward.
