NEW VANILLA ISLAND PRESIDENT TO BE ANNOUNCED PRIOR TO ITM 2014 IN ANTANANARIVO
(Posted 20th April 2014)
Behind the scene discussions are ongoing to resolve the stalemate over the Indian Ocean Vanilla Island Organization presidency, which succession was to be announced at the recent ministerial meeting of the organization ahead of the Seychelles Carnival International de Victoria.
While Mauritius was once again glaringly absent from the event, did they add insult to injury by sending a low ranking official to represent their Minister and CEO of the MTPA, avoiding a presence at that level at the Carnvial but nevertheless throwing their hat in the ring to be considered for the next president’s term of one year.
Comments by Mauritius media people in Victoria were as candid as they were dripping with acid, describing their reluctant duo as fence sitters, spoilers and worse, and laughing off hastily offered explanations that ‘irregularities’ prevented their attendance.
One journalist in fact suggested that the duo needed to learn respect for others and swallow their disdain and dismissiveness towards the Vanilla Island Organization. It was also discussed that in particular the Mauritius tourism minister has yet to explain if he deliberately misled parliament a few weeks ago, when according to Hansard records he commented in what best can be described as a borderline fashion, conveniently ignoring facts he should have had at his fingertips or else suffering of selective memory losses.
Front runner at present appears to be Reunion Island’s candidate who is a staunch supporter of the Vanilla Island concept but after Madagascar too nominated their tourism minister, it is anyone’s guess who will take the helm of the organization. One thing though is certain that the next president must have the same zeal and commitment and enthusiasm as Alain St. Ange displayed over the past two years and no spoiler from within should be permitted to assume the leadership at this critical junction.
May 15th to 17th will also see the next edition of another Vanilla Island Event unfold in the Madagascar capital of Antananarivo where the International Tourism Trade Fair will take place to showcase the island’s main tourism attractions but also bring the region together as one again. A symposium will run alongside the event offering hands on case studies, seminar input and knowledge from a range of high ranking speakers.
Watch this space for the upcoming announcement of the change of guard at the Vanilla Island Organization.
