“A Dear Friend:” Seychelles Envoy St. Ange Celebrates Dr. Rifai’s WTTC Tourism Icon Award

At the WTTC’s 26th Global Summit, former UN Tourism Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai received the prestigious Tourism Icon Award. Seychelles Ambassador-at-Large Alain St. Ange shares a heartfelt reflection on his dear friend’s unparalleled leadership, his unwavering belief in Africa’s potential, and his unique ability to connect with people.

The most resonant story of this week’s tourism news cycle arrived from the Mediterranean, where the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recognized Dr. Taleb Rifai with its highly esteemed Tourism Icon Award at the organization’s 26th Global Summit in Malta. It is the celebration of “the man who made world tourism feel like family.”

Before bestowing the award, summit organizers offered a profound introduction that captured the essence of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). They noted that while there are tourism leaders remembered strictly for the institutions they managed or the economic milestones achieved, others are immortalized by how they made people feel. Dr. Rifai, they declared, belongs equally to both categories—a leader who made world tourism feel like family.

For Alain St. Ange, the Ambassador-at-Large of the Republic of Seychelles, the accolade is a deeply personal milestone. Reflecting from the Seychelles, Mr. St. Ange recalled his first meeting with Dr. Rifai at the UNWTO headquarters in Madrid shortly after taking over as CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board. That initial welcome blossomed into a lifelong friendship that endured throughout St. Ange’s subsequent tenure as the island nation’s Minister responsible for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports, and Marine.

An Unwavering Believer in Africa

Beyond his global diplomatic footprint, Dr. Rifai leaves a distinct legacy across the African continent. He was a vocal advocate for the region’s immense, often underutilized tourism potential. St. Ange recalls how Dr. Rifai consistently encouraged African Ministers of Tourism and members of the continental press to champion their local industries. He frequently reminded them that Africa’s diversity of key Unique Selling Propositions (USPs) and its rich tapestry of cultures remained entirely unrivalled on the global stage.

His belief in the continent was not merely rhetorical; it was institutional. Dr. Rifai will be historically remembered for successfully bringing the prestigious UNWTO General Assembly to Zambia and Zimbabwe, placing the heart of global tourism diplomacy squarely on African soil.

Standing Together in Celebration

The mutual respect between the two men has been evident for years. In 2019, when Alain St. Ange was honored as the “Tourism Change Maker of the Year” in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Rifai stood firmly by his side. Today, that support is reciprocated across continents.

“Today even from far I stand with him in Malta as WTTC honours him with their Tourism Icon Award,” said Mr. St. Ange. “I am happy for Dr. Taleb Rifai and remain so proud of the man I call a friend.”