Almasalla news | Arab Tourism Portal News
It was in 2019 at the World Travel Market in Cape Town that Alain St.Ange took over as the first President of the African Tourism Board when many tourism trade personalities had gathered to officially launch the African Tourism Board. This Cape Town meeting followed the WTM London meeting of 2018 that had been chaired by Dr Rifai and Juergen Steinmetz and attended by a number of Tourism Ministers from Africa.
At the 2019 WTM in Cape Town Alain St.Ange, the former Seychelles Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine was mandated to lead the African Tourism Board (ATB) as its President assisted by a number of influential tourism representatives from Africa and those with a heart for Africa. From humble beginnings the African Tourism Board (ATB) has grown and even launched the HOPE Project to move Africa into one when looking at the Covid-19 effects and beyond and is today represented in a number of countries by Brand Ambassadors. Alain St.Ange has also been, for the last three years, the visible head of the ATB at many virtual conferences touching tourism and Africa.
Current challenges
“As we end 2021 and as we reflect on where we started, we must all be saying that much has been achieved, but at this critical juncture of tourism and its current challenges we all know that more still needs to be done. That said, it is with sadness that I must nevertheless say that, after three years, the time for me to move on from my position as President of the African Tourism Board has arrived, and in so doing for me to leave the position for someone else. I enjoyed my three odd years with the African Tourism Board and appreciated the many many friends I met along the way. I take this opportunity to wish the committee well and continued success” said Alain St.Ange to the Patron, Executive Chairman and members of the Committee.
In response to the move by Alain St.Ange, the outgoing President of the African Tourism Board, Dr Taleb Rifai, the Organisation’s Patron from Spain wrote to say thank you to Alain St.Ange for the work done. Mr Cuthbert Ncube, the Executive Chairman of the African Tourism Board said:- “It is with great sadness to receive the communication of your stepping down at a time we working towards unifying our Organization, you have been a pillar and strength of ATB with so much vision in reshaping our Tourism destiny. The timing leaves us with so much emptiness at a time we needed your guidance and leadership. We pray and wish you all the best for the future as we will always seek for your guidance and advice. Walter Mzembi, an ATB Board Member and the former Tourism Minister from Zimbabwe on his part said “Thank you for serving with distinction…”
Zine Nkukwana, another ATB Board Member from South Africa on her part said:- That came as a surprise! You have been a pillar of strength in ATB and your support was always guaranteed once you understood the objective and the bigger picture, I have personally gained wisdom from your advices and inputs. I hope you are not lost to the sector; ATB will still need you going to the future especially in this transition period…”
Moving forward is always a necessary part of life
Abigail Adesina Olagbaye, an ATB Ambassador from Nigeria said “I’m just seeing this. I believe moving on and moving forward is always a necessary part of life. You remain our worthy global patron for Africa Tourism Day and we will formalise this more conclusively in 2022. I will stay connected and in touch. Thank you so much for the support”.
Peter Tarlow on his part from the USA said “we met because of the prevailing pandemic situation. I want to say thank you for your work and that we remain connected…Remember that I really appreciate you and all you did for our Tourism Board”
St.Ange thanked everyone for the togetherness that got the African Tourism Board (ATB) to where it is today and for the messages he had received form ATB Directors, Board Members and Member States.
