Regional tourism ministers root for closer working relations to raise numbers

Regional tourism ministers from 16 countries under their lobby, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, have pledged to work together to promote the industry bordering the Indian Ocean region. The ministers said working together will see them achieve common tourism goals.

Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St. Ange, in a communique said the meeting was needed for the region because of the Indian Ocean region's common specificities, adding that all members of the association were benefiting from the blue economy concept.

"What unites us with this group of countries is the Ocean that engulfs us. It is this ocean that gives tourism our unique selling points and makes up the blue economy concept that we must defend and preserve for our future generations," said St.Ange during the tourism ministers' meeting at Savoy Resort and Spa.

The ministers agreed to have the industry's development abide by the environmental rules, regulations and requirements of the member states and international organisations. Others resolutions reached at the meeting included attaching higher importance to the tourism and travel industry, encouraging closer regional cooperation to increase the competitiveness of the region and the need for private sector engagement and public-private partnerships in enhancing productivity and competitiveness of the sector.

Seychelles Principal Secretary for Tourism Anne Lafortune said though each country has its own strategies, they will promote tourism as one. The ministers rooted for joint effort to encourage the setting up of a joint working group on tourism, air transport and cruise tourism.