St. Ange Advocates for Tourism as Cultural Diplomacy

Dr. Alain St.Ange, Seychelles Ambassador At Large and former Minister of Tourism and Culture, addressed delegates at the Oxford Global Diplomat Summit held at the Lord Mayor’s Cabinet Office. He challenged the perception of tourism, urging that it should be viewed as a vital form of human exchange rather than just a statistic of arrival numbers.

St.Ange emphasized the importance of personal connections made through tourism, stating that it can challenge prejudices and foster peace. He presented forecasts from the World Travel and Tourism Council, predicting that by 2026, travel and tourism will contribute approximately $12 trillion to the global economy and support around 376 million jobs.

St.Ange's address, themed ‘Tourism as a Bridge Between Nations: Advancing Cultural Diplomacy, Global Connectivity and Sustainable Growth,’ highlighted the role of tourism in strengthening cultural ties and building international relationships. The summit also marked the launch of the Nelson Mandela Leadership Awards 2026, recognizing outstanding leadership and global impact.