Eden Island, a South African conglomerate now well established in Seychelles as a local company, has spoken up in support for Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Candidate for the post of UNWTO Secretary-General. Peter Smith, the Head of Sales and Marketing of Eden Island Development Company (Seychelles) Limited sent a letter to Mr. St.Ange saying:
"I write you to wish you all the very best in your quest to become the next Secretary General of UNWTO.
Having worked closely with you and your colleagues at the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and the Seychelles Tourism Board for over ten years, 1 have come to know you as a man of integrity, professionalism and dedication to the tasks at hand.
You have succeeded in helping put Seychelles firmly on the international map working closely with companies like ours in doing so. You have always understood the bigger picture and my experience of working with you is that you never leave any stone unturned in making things happen in the interests of all in the industry. The substantially increased tourism statistics to Seychelles bear testimony to this.
At the forefront of your drive has been a commitment to the cause of developing tourism as the key driver of the Seychelles economy and the work you have done in other African countries, creating partnerships in support of their tourism industries too, has been remarkable.
Your role in the portfolios you held has also been a key factor in the success of Eden Island. Without the increase in tourism to Seychelles many establishments would not have flourished as they have.
Thank you for your support shown to Eden Island over the years and 1 really believe that if your candidacy is successful and you are elected as the next Secretary General of UNWTO, the organization will be all the better for it.
There can be no better candidate for the job. l am certain you will become a leading light in developing and nurturing tourism around the world especially in Africa and some of the lesser known destinations.
I wish you strength and ail the very best. You have our full support.
Good luck!"
The Seychelles Candidate Alain St.Ange received Letters of Endorsement from President Danny Faure of the Seychelles, from Sir James Mancham, Seychelles founding President who wrote an open letter about his support for the Seychelles St.Ange bid for the United Nations just a week before he passed away, the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Organisation (Comoros, Mayotte, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles}, the Africa Ports Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), Tanzania Society of Travel Agents (TASOTA), the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA), Fred W. Finn, the World's Most Travelled Person Guinness World Records, the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam Association, India's important N.R.I. Welfare Society, the Creole Travel Services of Seychelles and the Association of Tourism Professionals of Mauritius (ATP). Mr St.Ange continues to say that he was thankful for this democratic approach to coming election for the seat of Secretary General for the UNWTO by the frontline team of tourism.
"I appreciate this open support by Eden Island. They statement means a lot to the Seychelles candidature for the post of Secretary General of the UNWTO. Alone we cannot win, but together with the tourism fraternity everything is possible" said Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Candidate for the UN position as secretary General of the UNWTO.
