Alain St.Ange: Visa-free Travels among Africans Will Unlock Tourism Potential

Former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr. Alain St.Ange, says the use of Artificial Intelligence in tourism must come to Africa progressively. Charles Ajunwa brings the excerpts:

To drive Africa’s tourism success, you maintained that the continent’s professionals are best positioned to do so. Don’t you think that your position may not go down well with some industry players, especially the WTM London’s DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion), which sparked discussions on making travel more inclusive at the just concluded global tourism and travel event in London?

I am a firm believer that the continent’s professionals are not working only for a salary. They do it with their heart. They want their industry and country to succeed. Travel is indeed inclusive. But reciprocal conditions must always apply. Africans today cannot just hop on a plane to take up a position in this dream of inclusion approach. Tourism must benefit the people from the continent first and supported by professionals coming from the rest of the world when so needed.

The World Travel Market Ministers Summit in collaboration with UN Tourism and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) focused on the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the sector at the WTM. Given poor infrastructure in most African countries, do you think the continent is ready for such highly sophisticated technology to drive tourism and travel? 

AI, yes, is the buzzword. It will come progressively to Africa. But we as Africans must learn to crawl and walk before we jump into the rat race being pushed forward.  Let our people live first, let them smell the fruits of their incredible continent first.

Africa has everything it needs to succeed in tourism. For example, the continent has safaris, big game fishing, stunning beaches among others. Yet, the continent only receives about 6.5 percent of global travellers. What could be responsible for this? 

Yes, Africa has everything for its tourism industry to succeed. Africa needs to embrace its professionals working with their heart and not just for a salary. It is Africans who need to be rewriting the narrative of their continent. Then the positives will be echoed and challenges analysed objectively. Today sensationalism is what makes news across the world and this always dampens the want to travel to Africa. It is time for the AU to spearhead a consolidation forum on the Continent’s Tourism Industry. Then Africa will see its own avenue to move forward 

To boost Africa’s tourism and potential, you have always advocated for cultural integration, regional cooperation and intra-African travel. Why? 

Africa needs to embrace its rich culture and in so doing show respect for its people. Our culture must be included in all we do because when our culture is at the forefront it is our people who are being recognised, because without people you have no culture. Africa needs to also appreciate that Africa must know Africa if Africa is to succeed. This is why regional cooperation and intra Africa Travel is important. 

But Africa must open its doors to every African and scrap visa requirements for Africans and encourage them to travel regionally and across the continent. It is an economic potential Africa has not yet learned to appreciate and to say that it wants it. 

You were one of the speakers at the just concluded Africa Celebrates 2024 that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Were there lessons learnt from the event?

Africa Celebrates 2024 was an eye-opener and the organisers need to be congratulated. To answer your question, I can say the lessons learnt is that we must all be ready to listen to each other and to our friends of Africa. It was a great opportunity to appreciate each other and to show that we value each other. It was a great event.

Any room for improvement in harnessing the rich culture in Africa?

Of course, improvements can always happen. After four years the African baby is now ready to transition from crawling to walking. I have full confidence of its ability to self-analysis for its consolidation 

You are collaborating with the organisers of the Africa Tourism Day and Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum (ATCAF) taking place in Nigeria later this month. What should tourism industry players be expecting? 

Yes, I am proud of it. Industry players must see this as the follow-up of Africa Celebrates 2024 and work with Dr. Abigail Olagbaye to ensure the event and Africa shines. Let us fly the flags of our continent proudly. Let us support the event and in so doing be seen to be supporting tourism as that vital industry for the continent.

During your tenure as Seychelles’ Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, you focused majorly on consolidating the tourism and travel sector. Why? 

Yes, I did and I’m proud that I did it successfully. The reason behind that drive is simple. Tourism is not only the bread and butter for the Seychelles economy. Tourism is also the jam seated on the bread and butter. It is and will remain the backbone of the Seychelles economy and needs its government to appreciate that and to always work to nurture this vital industry. I did so with my heart and did so tirelessly for Seychelles 

Tell us some of the reforms you introduced in the  tourism  industry that earned you respect  and recognition globally?

Seychelles claimed back its tourism industry in my era and every player was embraced and recognised. The island’s Tourism Board, though funded by the State, has the private sector trade chairing that board and with a controlling number of members sitting on the board. This was done because the government accepted that the private sector remains the frontline team for the industry and needed to ensure the industry worked. It was in my era that the public-private sector met monthly to analyse challenges being faced by the industry in order to resolve them. Here the whole Cabinet of Ministers were present to sit with and alongside its private sector. As a country, we also embarked on a visibility drive punching well above our weight. Being seen remained key to not being forgotten by the tour operator partners and the discerning travellers.