President takes over tourism as new Chairman and CEO is appointed
by STB

Tourism remains the main pillar of the Seychelles’ economy and to highlight the importance of that vibrant industry to the country, President James Michel has personally taken over that portfolio.

That department was previously attached to the office of the Vice President.

As part of a recent restructure of the government, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) also gets a new Chairman and a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Ambassador Barry Faure, previously the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and now the new Secretary of State in the President’s Office, becomes the new Chairman of the board.

The new CEO is Alain St Ange, formerly the Director of Tourism Marketing but now responsible for the running of STB.

Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the STB’s chairman for the past four years, has become an Ambassador and takes up his new post as Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. St Ange has said that marketing of the country remains the core of STB’s business and greater emphasis will be placed on raising the profile of the destination on the main markets as well as opening it up in all potential markets overseas.

“Today, tourism is one of the primary motors that keep our economy running and we have to sustain it by bringing in more tourists to Seychelles,” he said.

“But it is equally important that we have a product to market and one that is competitive.  That’s why we will also be giving our local product the attention it merits, with the simple objective of improving it and turning it into an even better product to sell on the international market.”