Mauritius Minister of Tourism thanked for his words of support for the Vanilla Islands
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture has said in a telephone press interview that, in his capacity as the sitting President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands, that he was thankful for the words of support pronounced in the Mauritius Parliament by Minister Michael Sik Yuen , the Mauritius Minister for Tourism and Leisure.
"The words that was spelled out by Minister Sik Yuen of Mauritius on the benefits of having the grouping of the Vanilla Islands reinforces the line I have personally adopted by myself since assuming the office of President of the Vanilla islands" said Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture and President of the Vanilla Islands. In the sitting last week of the Mauritius Parliament, Minister Sik Yuen said:- "…the complementary of our product offer along with those of the other destinations of the region has enhanced the product portfolio of Mauritius. Also, the “Iles Vanilles” concept has afforded an opportunity to market the destination as part of twin and multi-destination packages to tourists on the look-out of such products. Moreover, the inter-island tourism will help to develop the cruise segment from Mauritius. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is no doubt that benefits will be reaped under the “Iles Vanilles” concept, in time to come".
"The Vanilla Islands has given the opportunity for the Indian Ocean Islands to work together for the benefit of our respective islanders and we are just not allowed to fail them. Minister Sik Yuen of Mauritius is right to say that that their is no doubt that benefits will be reaped under the Vanilla islands concept. Already as President Didier Robert of La Reunion has confirmed, La Reunion Island is today benefiting from the twin center packages. Things can only get better" Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles said.
The mandate of Minister St.Ange as President of the Vanilla islands will come to an end in May and the handover to the new President of the Vanilla Islands will take place in the Madagascar Tourism Fair. But the final decision on who will be the next President of the Vanilla islands will be taken during the next Ministerial Meeting of the Vanilla islands scheduled to take place in Seychelles on the 24 April. This will be the day before the official opening of the Carnaval International de Victoria, the Seychelles event falling in the calendar of events of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands.
"I am hoping that every Minister of Tourism and President of Regional Councils of islands of the Indian Ocean Island will be present for this important Ministerial Meeting. Apart from confirming the new President of the Organisation, we also need to sit as a group to discuss other islands wanting to join our regional grouping. The Indian Ocean islands need all it unique selling points to be showcased together. This will give us strength as a new tourism region, but also make it interesting for Cruise Ships to be based in our region" said Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles.
