(Posted 09th October 2026)
Courtesy of Amb. Dr. Alain St. Ange
One of the key Tourism Breaking News of the week was the recognition by WTTC
(World Tourism & Travel 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 it 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 UNTWO 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.
The ATCNews Founder and Publisher also remembers Dr. Taleb Rifai as a true icon in global tourism, a man who brought recognition and prestige to the World Tourism Organisation – now called UN Tourism – and who truthfully and faithfully executed his mandate over his two terms of office. Warmest congratulations to Dr. Taleb on this well deserved honour.
