South African Tourism’s Travel Indaba: Not just yet

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Siisa-Ntshona-CEO-of-South-Africa-Tourism
Avatar of Alain St.Ange
Written by Alain St.Ange

Following South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Of The Nation Address last night, February 7, South Africa Tourism has announced that the 2019 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba will be rescheduled.

The President confirmed that the date of the national elections would be May 8, which falls directly within the dates scheduled for the Indaba: May 6 to 9. Besides this, the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban where the event is scheduled to place is also the main center for elections for the KwaZulu Natal province.

SA Tourism CEO, Sisa Ntshona, said: “We are currently exploring all viable alternative options in light of the announcement of the election date. We also need to consult with our various partners and stakeholders, and appreciate the understanding of our buyers, exhibitors and delegates who will now await a new date to attend Indaba.”

He stressed “we know the importance of Indaba to the travel industry and want to ensure that we are still able to provide a world class show despite having to change the date.”
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, added: “With dates confirmed upfront, buyers and exhibitors would have planned around the original date. There are also other global shows during this period, but we would like to reassure the industry that, despite the new date, Indaba will still be a fantastic show to attend and would like to encourage you to attend once the new date is confirmed.”

About the author

Avatar of Alain St.Ange

Alain St.Ange

Alain St Ange has been working in the tourism business since 2009. He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel.

He was appointed as the Director of Marketing for Seychelles by President and Minister of Tourism James Michel. After one year of

After one year of service, he was promoted to the position of CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

In 2012 the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands regional Organization was formed and St Ange was appointed as the first president of the organization.

In a 2012 cabinet re-shuffle, St Ange was appointed as Minister of Tourism and Culture which he resigned on 28 December 2016 in order to pursue a candidacy as Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation.

At the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu in China, a person who was being sought after for the “Speakers Circuit” for tourism and sustainable development was Alain St.Ange.

St.Ange is the former Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine who left office in December last year to run for the position of Secretary General of the UNWTO. When his candidature or document of endorsement was withdrawn by his country just a day before the elections in Madrid, Alain St.Ange showed his greatness as a speaker when he addressed the UNWTO gathering with grace, passion, and style.

His moving speech was recorded as the one on the best marking speeches at this UN international body.

African countries often remember his Uganda address for the East Africa Tourism Platform when he was a guest of honor.

As former Tourism Minister, St.Ange was a regular and popular speaker and was often seen addressing forums and conferences on behalf of his country. His ability to speak ‘off the cuff’ was always seen as a rare ability. He often said he speaks from the heart.

In Seychelles he is remembered for a marking address at the official opening of the island’s Carnaval International de Victoria when he reiterated the words of John Lennon famous song… ” you may say I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one. One day you will all join us and the world will be better as one”. The world press contingent gathered in Seychelles on the day ran with the words by St.Ange which made headlines everywhere.

St.Ange delivered the keynote address for the “Tourism & Business Conference in Canada”

Seychelles is a good example for sustainable tourism. This is therefore not surprising to see Alain St.Ange being sought after as a speaker on the international circuit.

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