South Africa and Seychelles Tourism Ministers meet at ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the Minister of Tourism of South Africa and a delegation of South African Tourism met with Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture and his delegation during ITB 2014 to discuss continued cooperation between South Africa and the Seychelles.
The meeting that took place on the Seychelles Stand at the ITB Tourism Trade Fair was an opportunity for Minister Van Schalkwyk and Minister St.Ange to reiterate areas of cooperation in the presence of the own delegations.
The coming AU (African Union) Tourism Ministers meeting in Seychelles mid-March was discussed as well as the historic ICAO – UNWTO Meeting for Tourism and Transport Ministers which is scheduled to take place in Seychelles in October.
The two Ministers also discussed the 2014 edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria which this year is being jointly co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte and South Africa KwaZulu Natal.
The role of South Africa was discussed and Minister St.Ange assured his South African counterpart that visibility for South Africa was guaranteed. "We believe in the partnership we have, and we shall ensure that the world at large sees the involvement of South Africa in the event that brings together countries from the Community of Nations to promote themselves through their culture. South Africa has a rich culture and a diverse one. It is really great to see KwaZulu Natal showcasing their culture and in so doing the people of KwaZulu Natal and South Africa at the April Carnival. But Cape Town will also be present with the Minstrels and we are waiting for Johannesburg to now confirm their participation. The South Africa Flag will be flown high in the 2014 edition of the Carnival of Carnivals" Minister Alain St.Ange said.
Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk proposed that South African Tourism be present also, and it was confirmed that Jan Hutton, the Chief Marketing Officer from South African Tourism would be flying to Seychelles to be present and to look at how to further cooperate in this great event that is staged in Seychelles.
South Africa and Seychelles signed an MOU last year which has many avenues for cooperation and with KwaZulu Natal, Seychelles works alongside them in the East3Route partnership together with Mozambique and the Kingdom of Swaziland.
Mr Frank Kilbourn, the Chairman of the South African Tourism Board (SAT) was laos present at the meeting between Minister Van Schalkwyk and Minister St.Ange.
