Arab Tourism News
The 2024 edition of ‘Africa Celebrates’ saw one of its many open sessions move to the Nelson Mandela Plenary Hall of the African Union (AU).
One of those selected to address the conference at the African Union (AU) was Alain St.Ange, the respected Tourism Consultant who is regarded as a tourism expert.
After his introduction, which highlighted his long years in the tourism industry that culminated in his appointment as the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine after a spell of also having Culture as one of his portfolios, St.Ange was his country’s nomination for the position of Secretary General (SG) in the 2017 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and was one of the three Candidates vying to be President of Seychelles in the island’s 2020 Presidential Elections.
Alain St.Ange took the initiative to congratulate H.E. Lexy Mojo-Eyes and his collaborators for staging an event that was bringing Africa together in peace and harmony through the different cultural events and forums organised during its one week of activities.
He also singled Dr Abigail Olagbaye of Nigeria who was staging an event during the last week on November under the SAYARI DUNIA, of which Alain St.Ange also sits on its Board.
He said that everyone present were part and parcel of Africa’s tourism industry and invited everyone attending “Africa Celebrates 2024” the preliminary sessions of the Africa Tourism Day and Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum (ATCAF) 2024, to come to Nigeria from the 25 to the 28 of November.
Alain St.Ange said that the African continent’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty is being showcased here in “Africa Celebrates 2024”, while we are all addressing the pressing issue of climate change, the challenges facing the tourism industry and how to give our rich culture its rightful place. ‘As we explore the intersection of tourism, inclusion and climate action, we recognize the immense potential of sustainable tourism to drive economic growth, create jobs, and promote cultural exchange. Our focus is on empowering women and youths with green jobs and skills in waste recycling, renewable energy, sustainable transport, sustainable agriculture, creative industries, tourism, and digital skills’ he said.
On sustainable Tourism Alain St.Ange turned his attention to the delegation of the youth present. “You, the young leaders of tomorrow, you and us seated here today all have the duty and responsibility to ensure that what we have inherited we work to ensure that we leave it better in a better state that what it was when we had it.
Let me take a phrase echoed by the Chairman of the Conference earlier. If we can enjoy a walk in the shade, it is only because someone planted a tree many years ago. That is the example we based ourselves one for the tree planting exercise on the program of activities in the coming Nigeria event. Let us be dedicated to grow more trees and let us join to make the difference. You the youth have all heard the buzz word of sustainable tourism.
Yes, this is today the words spelling a better future. But in simpler term just think of where you are clapping your hands with joy. You need both hands to clap. The same is applicable to your tourism development. Their needs to be development for economic growth, but the development must be sustainable if we are to mitigate sea level rise, coastal erosion, and the destruction of our rich flora and fauna. Push your leaders to be true to their words. If they said protect then push them to commit to protect and not destroy” said Alain St.Ange
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