From the perspective of a country where Carnival is at best tolerated and more often condemned as a noisy, dangerous nuisance, it comes as a pleasant surprise to find a continent where carnivals are not just appreciated but actually considered for awards, writes Stephen Spark of SOCA NEWS in the United Kingdom.
For the past six years, Seychellesโ Carnaval International de Victoria has attracted participants, visitors, and media attention from around the world, and it has been confirmed that this event has reached the shortlist of the Africa Travel Awards in the African Culture category.
Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, said in a statement, โWeโฆ put our culture at the center of our tourism industry, and by doing that place our people at the very center of our development.โ
The nomination is something of a personal triumph for St.Ange, as he was instrumental in getting the first carnival on to the streets of his countryโs capital in February 2011. It is largely through his efforts that the eventโs momentum has increased every year, so it is entirely appropriate that the minister himself is on the shortlist for Best Tourism Minister in Africa.
Also on the Best Minister shortlist is Zimbabweโs Walter Mzembi, who has been a driving a force behind the Harare International Carnival, which is based on the Seychelles model. In the African Culture section, Nigeriaโs Carnival Calabar is also vying for the top spot.
Nominees for the Africa Travel Awards are assessed by a panel of travel experts and voting is then thrown open to the public. Its website states that it is โa survey by Africans for the best performers in Africa.โ Voting closed on October 2, and the winners will be announced in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 30.