(Posted 29th December 2023)
As 2023 draws to a close, it is again time for us all to reflect on the year that was, and on the
moments we all shared that kept us connected and appreciative of one another.
2013 was a busy year for me. Through my Tourism Consultancy Bureau, I was able to
discover many new tourism destinations as I was called on to deliver an address on either
tourism, air access, sustainable tourism development among others. I was also engaged to
advise many a Tourism Board or Ministry of Tourism on the best way forward in this post-
Covid environment and in a world, where the new priority today, is looking at the ongoing
effects on tourism by the ongoing wars. I also looked at new tourism projects with would be
investors and their respective government facilitators. A diverse but interesting work
schedule it was.
As I say good-bye to 2023, I want to thank all my family members, friends, and colleagues
for your part in making 2023 a special year. Thank you for your support, your
encouragement and for your friendship. A big thank you also goes to the members of the
Press Fraternity. You are true friends and have reported on my missions and ensured I
remained visible, the key to my success as well as the success of every tourism destination I
have been associated with.
Visibility also comes with documentation. A biography about my life in tourism ‘Alain
St.Ange – A Life in Tourism’ was also published this year and a very detailed book about my
ancestry lines ‘Alain & Ginette St.Ange – Family Ties’ is expected in the country around the
15 th of January 2024. My autobiography ‘Alain St.Ange – My Journey’ will follow soon after
before the last two books in my series: – ‘Alain St.Ange – Life & Time in Politics’ & ‘Alain
St.Ange – Life & Time in Tourism’.
2024 looks good and busy for me, with already planned and confirmed trips to Nigeria & La
Reunion in January, Egypt & Eswatini in February, ITB in Berlin in early March and even the USA in June all this within the first six months of 2024. Over and above these I have been
informed that I have been approved as a visiting Professor in the Council of Tourism Studies
department at Faculty of Tourism and Hotels in a main University of Egypt, and I will also
board a Cruise Ship to deliver Port Lectures for a three-week period from South Africa doing
the whole coast up to and including the Indian Ocean Islands.
My Christmas message of just a week ago brought such a positive reaction after I hinted
that Christmas was not only celebrated by Christians, but that it was instead a symbol of
peace to the world. This same idea was part of a message published on a tourism world wire
before Christmas, when many of us agreed that perhaps, a modern mindset is symbolized
by our industry: Travel and tourism, a day where we rally as one to embrace the spirit of
peace. As part of the world of tourism, we do know that peace is a needed ingredient for
tourism’s continued consolidation, and the world, our world and your world needs peace,
real peace for a more conducive progress. The world needs many things inclusive
sustainable development, but peace and security remains the key to real progress.
So, as we bid farewell to 2023, let us again, every one of us, reach out with our hands of
friendship and together embrace the needed unity for a better world order, a more buoyant
tourism industry and for a great 2024.
I wish you all a Happy New Year 2024 and happy holidays!
Alain St.Ange
