By Alain St.Ange of SAINT ANGE CON SULTANCY
Welcome to Edition #11 of 2018
Monday 19th March 2018
The Editorial this week addresses the Mauritius 50th Independence Day Celebrations as well as the need to respect PPP in the tourism sector. We also address the drive to promote sustainable development and the upcoming PATA Conference. We end the editorial with a renewed call for a referendum in Seychelles for the proposed military base on the Island of ASSUMPTION. Stand Alone articles cover:- 1. Denis Island; a leading example in Sustainability. 2. First ever beach party in the hotel on Barbarons beach. 3. Staff remain key for success – Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie. 4. Kenya Tourism Board pulls out of world Travel Markets. 5. ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Stars on Honeymoon in Seychelles – OK Magazine. 6. “Voyages & Hotels de Reve” Magazine covers Mauritius. 7. RETOSA and Better Tourism Africa team up to promote sustainable tourism in SADC. 8. Water Crisis hits Cape Town – a National Disaster. 9. HE Ban Ki-moon: Keynote speaker at PATA Annual Summit 2018. 10. Fang Liu reappointed Secretary General of ICAO for a second term. 11. Organizers Announce New Date for African Sports Tourism Summit & Awards 12. International Newswires continue to republish our report.
Mauritius – Happy 50th Independence Day Celebration
The island of Mauritius has just celebrated its 50th Independence Day and, from the Seychelles, we say happy anniversary! The world of tourism celebrated with the Mauritians, as can be appreciated from postings on social media globally.
Owner of Susie Freeman Travel
Today Mauritius is celebrating 50 years of independence. I am of course here to celebrate! (Susie Freeman is a Tour Operator from the UK)
(Top photo by Susie Freeman and bottom photo by Riaz Nassurally)
Riaz Nassurally, a frequent contributor to the Saint Ange Tourism Report, also on his part posted:- “Good Morning From Mahebourg, South East of Mauritius, Happy independence Day to my all friends around the Globe. We built it, we did it, today we are immensely proud of being one nation, one people, one vision, one destination. We are a country where people of all backgrounds, all nations of origin, all languages, all religions, all races, can make a home.”
Tourism is changing – respect for PPP is key
Tourism is changing; the coming months and years will bring everyone up to speed on what can be expected. Kenya has just announced that they are not going to participate in future tourism travel fairs, but have conceded that they will facilitate with the branding of the stands if a number of private sector trades register to be present. Kenya’s private sector Tourism or Hospitality Associations will be the head of future delegations. This will reduce the Ministry’s official budget and tourism destinations the world over will be watching the Kenyan approach with interest.
Seychelles, on its part, needs to relook at its PPP approach where tourism is concerned. This has been a key area of successful cooperation between the Government and the private sector for many years, which has helped consolidate the island’s tourism industry. The Business Community of both Praslin and La Digue Islands have both spoken up against the proposed new tourism landing tax for their islands. Both Praslin and La Digue are heavily dependent on tourism and these islands contribute more to the Seychelles’ State coffers than they are given credit for. The cost of operation on islands away from the main island of Mahe are already high and the proposed new landing tax on Praslin and La Digue will only serve to disadvantage these islands’ business communities.
Seychelles pushing for Sustainability in business
Coming to Seychelles this year is a Sustainable Entrepreneurship Conference with Ulf Stenerhag as guest speaker. This will be part of the International Sales and Business seminar by Vimentis Group of Seychelles. The event being coordinated by Christopher Lespoir and Marie Celine Zialor will take place at the Guy Morel institute.
PATA promotes Sustainability
PATA has secured the attendance of Ban Ki-moon for its next PATA Conference. As UN Secretary General between 2007 and 2016, he was instrumental in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the introduction of tourism as an integral aspect of it. Furthermore, he oversaw the negotiation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and is a strong advocate for women’s rights and gender equality, having successfully pressed for the creation of UN Women, an agency that consolidates the UN’s work in this area.
The Assumption Island saga
The resentment and discontent amid Seychelles citizens are still pervasive following the President’s call for the National Assembly to ratify the deal made between Seychelles and India for there to be an Indian Military Base established on the island of Assumption, which closely neighbours the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aldabra, a Seychelles treasure.
No amount of politicking can sway the public against their call for a referendum on the matter, especially given that the details of the Agreement are public and its consequences have been understood. Our small Nation cannot afford to throw away its Non Aligned principle with Seychelles being the “friends of all and enemies of none” since 29th June 1976.
Please take time to sign and register your support for the #SaveAldabra movement. Approximately one hundred thousand people have already signed the petition and you can help make the difference.
“People of Seychelles. It is your duty to save environment’s beauty !”
It is important to again today acknowledge all who are diligently re-posting the Saint Ange Tourism Report weekly. Our Report ranges far and wide, from Australia to the Americas, from the Indian Ocean Vanilla islands to Africa & Asian and Greater Europe, with your continued support, which is greatly appreciated. You are helping us to grow from strength to strength with each new Edition.
Enjoy the read,
Alain St.Ange
Saint Ange Consultancy
Your link:-
http://mailchi.mp/saintange/welcome-to-edition-11-of-2018-of-the-saint-ange-tourism-report
