Tourism Breaking News of the week was the recognition by WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) honouring Dr. Taleb Rifai with their Tourism Icon Award at the WTTC’s 26th Global Summit in Malta.
“The man who made world tourism feel like family” it was said about Dr Taleb Rifai before going on to write that there are tourism leaders who are remembered for the institutions they managed, the policies they introduced, or the economic milestones achieved during their tenure – and there are leaders remembered for how they made people feel and Dr Rifai belongs to that second category as much as the first. This said it all about the much loved former Secretary General of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) now UN Tourism.
From the Seychelles I remember fondly the man I counted as a dear friend. Dr Rifai was the SG who welcomed me to his Madrid Office after I became CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board and who remained a dear friend right through my tenure as the island’s Minister responsible for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine.
It will be remembered that he believed in Africa and its tourism potential and would encourage Africa Ministers of Tourism and members of the Press from Africa to work for their continent tourism industry saying that the diversity of key USPs and the range of unique culture remained unrivalled. Dr Taleb Rifai will be remembered for having brought the UNWTO General Assembly to Zambia & Zimbabwe in Africa.
“He stood by my side when I was honoured with the Tourism Change Maker of the Year in 2019 in Johannesburg in South Africa. Today even from far I stand with him in Malta as WTTC honours him with their Tourism Icon Award. I am happy for Dr Taleb Rifai and remain so proud of the man I call a friend” said Alain St.Ange, the Ambassador At Large of the Republic of Seychelles.
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