ITB Berlin 2026: PATWA Gold Award, Another Feather in St. Ange’s Cap of Honours

Tourism is a vital industry that connects people and cultures across the globe — and Alain St. Ange continues to be recognised for his enduring contributions to it.

The 2026 PATWA Gold Award — Tourism Legacy, presented by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association at ITB Berlin, adds to a growing list of recent accolades for Alain St. Ange, the internationally acclaimed tourism leader and former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Republic of Seychelles.

Only last month, the M-Aashiyana Welfare Foundation (MAWF) has appointed the legendary figure as an Executive Member and Global Advisor to its council. Some days later, Clevenard officially announced that St. Ange will be honored with the Clevenard Global Award 2026 this August in Alicante, Spain. In addition, in the last week February, Dr. Hossam Darwish, President of the Afro-Asian Union (AFASU), announced the appointment of the renowned tourism icon as President of the AFASU “Smile & Impact” Global Award.

This latest honour reflects his lifelong dedication to the sector’s growth, equity, and resilience. Over the years, Alain has been decorated by nations and institutions across the globe, including:

• Honorary Keys to the Cities of Detroit and Tuskegee in the USA.
• The Mahatma Gandhi Award in India for strengthening Indo-Seychelles relations.
• A Plaque of Honour from the House of Lords in London.
• The “Man of the Year” Award (2023/2024) by the African Asian Union (AFASU) in Egypt.
• Lifetime Achievement Awards from PATWA at ITB Berlin.

Though global conflicts prevented him from attending ITB Berlin in person, his commitment remains steadfast.

“I am incredibly grateful to the PATWA council, the board of members, and everyone who celebrated this milestone at the World Tourism Leaders Summit. I have always been passionate about the growth and sustainability of travel, and this recognition serves as a powerful reminder of tourism’s importance on the world stage. I hope it inspires others to continue supporting its positive impact worldwide. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey — let us keep working together to nurture and protect this essential industry,” said Alain St. Ange.

To learn more about the Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association and its International Travel Awards, click here.